By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Activities and staffing are returning to pre-pandemic levels at various San Diego County synagogues, with Temple Emanu-El in the San Diego State University area hosting a Palestinian refugee who is highly critical of the Palestinian Authority’s human rights record.Tifereth Israel Synagogue in the San Carlos neighborhood, meanwhile, has announced it has hired a new executive director.
Human rights advocate Bassem Eid lectures at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive in a presentation for which attendees are required to wear masks and advance registration is a must via this website.
According to a flyer publicizing this event, “during the first intifada in 1995, Eid reported human rights violations against civilians committed by the Palestinian Authority. Eid was arrested by (PLO Chairman Yasser) Arafat and upon his release founded the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group, in 1996, which largely focuses on abuse from the PA. Since then Bassem has spent years reporting and calling for reform of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) and outspokenly criticizing the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. He has spoken at the Israeli Knesset, the U.S. Congress, the EU (European Union) Commission, and many more governmental bodies and NGO (Non-governmental organizations). The opportunity for him to speak in San Diego is one that must not be missed.”
The gathering was organized by a Rebecca Genin, a incoming junior majoring in philosophy at San Diego State University, in conjunction with the Israeli-American Council, StandWithUs (a pro-Israel advocacy group), and Temple Emanu-El, Genin said.
“In the aftermath of the most recent incursion in the Middle East, the Social Media Pogrom occurred with real ramifications of physical violence against Jewish Americans,” Genin stated. “In a study by the Pew Research Center, that was publicized in 2021, we see that Jews in America are abandoning their support for Israel.”
Meanwhile, Tifereth Israel Synagogue has announced it has hired a veteran Jewish community professional, Jamie Nadel, as its new executive director. Over a lengthy career, Nadel has served as director of administrative services at the Jewish Community Center; administrative director of Ner Tamid Synagogue in San Diego; and as Temple Administrator at B’nai Chaim in Murietta. Additionally, while in Colorado Springs, she served as the director of admissions at Pikes Peak Mental Health; CEO of Springs Counseling Center; and Pikes Peak Hospice.
A native of New York City, Nadel has a son, Kevin, studying to be a cantor at Hebrew Union College, and a daughter, Melanie, who has just graduated high school, and plans to study business in college, with the goal of operating her own roller skating rink.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com