By Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
Articles below culled from a variety of news sources and messages to San Diego Jewish World.
INTERNATIONAL
The premier of New South Wales, Chris Minns, suggested that a large blue chanukiah be projected onto the largest sail of the iconic Sydney Opera House. When it was done, he stated: “Lighting the Opera House is a simple but powerful gesture: a message to the world that we cherish our Jewish community, that we honour their courage, and that we stand with them in solidarity and love. Tonight, those candles are a symbol of resilience and a reminder that even in darkness, we choose to stand with one another.”
At a vigil near the site of the shooting, hundreds of flower bouquets were left in a massive pile on Monday. Police removed from the vigil Michelle Berkon, an anti-Zionist Jewish activist who had garbed herself in a Palestinian kaffiyeh.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s Chanukah massacre at Bondi Beach of at least 15 people drew this cautionary statement from Israeli Reef Peretz, chair of an organization of the Nova Festival survivors called the “Tribe of Nova Association”: “[The] terrorist attack on Jews gathering to celebrate Hanukkah at Bondi Beach is devastating and enraging. We mourn the lives stolen, pray for the injured, and the Nova Community stands with Australia’s Jewish community. In the days and weeks ahead, this community will need more than words; they will need protection, trauma-informed care, and the assurance that they are not alone. Antisemitic violence demands more than condemnation; it demands solidarity, accountability, and a collective refusal to look away. We must stand united against hatred and continue to fight with light and love.”
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) said, according to The Hill, “The Jewish people have been collectively demonized, increasingly so in the last few years, and this tragedy in Sydney shows the abject danger of letting antisemitic rhetoric and action go unchecked. Our collective humanity demands that we come together, no matter our race or religion, and forcefully rebuke the forces that have led to this moment and left our society so divided.”
Oprah Winfrey said on social media that her “heart breaks for the victims, their families and loved ones, and all you Aussies” but didn’t mention that the Jewish community celebrating the first night of Chanukah was the target of the attack. That drew a rebuke from Elan S. Carr, chief executive officer of the Israeli-American Council (IAC), who said: “For a public figure to express sorrow over the attack without saying that it was an antisemitic mass murder of Jews during their celebration of a holiday is precisely the sort of misguided obfuscation that allows antisemitism to flourish.”
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told U.S. peace negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that in return for a peace treaty with Russia and security guarantees from the United States and European nations, he’d be willing to drop his country’s aspirations to join NATO. Zelenskyy ruled out any territorial concessions to Russia. On Monday, President Trump said he’d be willing to submit the question of security guarantees to the U.S. Senate.
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NATIONAL
San Diego’s Democratic Congresswoman Sara Jacobs is circulating a petition calling for the resignation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. She cited, among other things, Hegseth enacting “a cruel and unnecessary transgender military ban—punishing brave servicemembers for being who they are and worsening our readiness.”
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Actor/ Director Rob Reiner. 78, and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were stabbed to death on Sunday in their Brentwood, California home. Police booked his son Nick Reiner, 32, on suspicion of murder. Nick, who has struggled with drug addiction, was held without the possibility of bail. Before the murder charges were filed, bail initially was set at $4 million.
U.S. President Donald Trump sent a mixed message of condolences and disparagement on Truth Social: “A very sad thing happened last night in Hollywood. Rob Reiner, a tortured and struggling, bit once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS. He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump,” the president continued, “with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness, and with the Golden Age of America upon us, perhaps like never before. May Rob and Michele rest in peace!”
In contrast, Trump’s living three Democratic predecessors as U.S. President – Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton posted traditional condolences on social media.
Joe Biden: “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to everyone whose lives were touched by Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s extraordinary contributions. We take solace in knowing their work will live on for generations to come.”
Barack Obama: “Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people–and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”
Bill Clinton: Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television. And they were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better through their active citizenship in defense of inclusive democracy, setting an example for us all to follow. Hillary and I will always be grateful for their friendship, unfailing kindness, and support.”
Rob Reiner, the son of comedian Carl Reiner, debuted in 1971 as an actor in All in the Family, the Norman Lear-produced television series, as Michael “Meathead” Stivic, the son-in-law of Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) and Edith Bunker (Jean Stapleton) and the husband of Gloria Bunker-Stivic (Sally Struthers). The sitcom had its final season in 1979.
Thereafter, Reiner turned to movies, both as an actor and a director. According to Wikipedia, “He made his directorial film debut with the heavy metal mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984). He went on to earn acclaim directing The Sure Thing (1985), Stand by Me (1986), The Princess Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Misery (1990), A Few Good Men (1992), which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, and The American President (1995).”
A political liberal, he was active supporting Democratic candidates and Jewish causes. He was scheduled to appear along with many other celebrities in a live cast at 11 a.m. PST. Thursday, Dec. 18 sponsored by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Sports entrepreneur Greg Harris said Reiner was a fellow Jewish baseball fan, whose image Harris incorporated in a Jews in Baseball art project. “Rob Reiner was not only a great guy, but a true baseball fan, taking his son Jake to every Major League Park. When I did my Jews in Baseball Artwork project, there was no doubt that he needed to be included as a proud Jew and baseball fan. I contacted him and he was excited and happy to be a part of the project. I was lucky enough to sit with him for a couple hours while he signed each and every piece and told his incredible stories. He was so nice, genuine, and of course funny.”
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Press Release – U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Alex Padilla (D-California) introduced legislation permitting individuals regardless of citizenship permission to sue the federal government for violations of their civil and constitutional rights. Said Blumenthal: “In a democracy, the government is accountable to the people. Last week, we heard directly from five American citizens whose constitutional rights were flagrantly violated when they were illegally detained for hours – sometimes days – and some of whom were violently assaulted by federal agents. The brave witnesses at our forum represent hundreds, even thousands, more who have been abused and mistreated by federal immigration agents and who deserve their day in court. This legislation is immediately necessary – to hold officers and agencies accountable for violations of civil rights, and to prevent these kinds of violent abuses in the future.” [Source: Alex Padilla]
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STATE & LOCAL
The Los Angeles chapter of the American Jewish Committee congratulated federal, state, and local law enforcement officials for the arrest of four individuals who allegedly were planning a New Year’s Eve bombing at multiple locations, one of which may have been the Wilshire Boulevard Temple.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told of a scenario by which undercover agents on Dec. 12 followed members of the Turtle Island Liberation Front to the Mojave Desert where the suspects allegedly assembled a test bomb but were arrested before they could detonate it. Arrested were Audrey I. Carroll, Zachary Aaron Page, Dante Gaffield, and Tina Lai. Another person was arrested in Louisiana.
Bondi described the Turtle Island Liberation Front as a “far-left, pro-Palestine, anti-government, and anti-capitalist group.” The name “Turtle Island” is given to the North American continent by various Native American groups, including the Iroquois.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World