Donald H. Harrison

Syrian Jewish History, Music and Food Wrapped into One JFest Night

This year it was all about Syria.  I found it fascinating, not only to learn about the Jewish communities of Syria but also learning that some people I know from our local Jewish community are of Syrian descent- for example Morah Rachel Tawil Abraham whom I know from Hebrew Day … (Sandi Masori)

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Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

A Political Conservative’s View of Israel vs. the Palestinians

He blames Democratic Presidents Carter, Clinton, Obama and Biden, the New York Times, non-governmental agencies such as Amnesty International, and political liberals generally for forcing upon Israel a policy of accommodation for the Palestinians prior to Oct. 7, 2023. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A New Translation of the ‘Shalom Aleichem’ Prayer

The two words of the Friday night poem/song “Shalom Aleichem” are a traditional Jewish greeting, meaning “may you have peace.” The poem has the reciters and singers greet angels and ask them for blessings of peace and protection. [Rabbu Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Author of Holocaust Novel Spent Research Time at Theresienstadt

Jennifer Coburn told a Tifereth Israel Synagogue audience Thursday, June 5, she long has been fascinated with Nazis and concentration camps.  She is the author of  The Girls of the Glimmer Factory. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Harvey Fierstein

The ‍character ‍Arnold ‍Beckoff ‍is ‍a ‍drag ‍queen ‍and ‍torch ‍singer ‍who ‍Fierstein ‍described ‍in ‍the ‍stage ‍directions ‍as ‍a ‍“kvetch ‍of ‍great ‍wit ‍and ‍want.” ‍What ‍is ‍Beckoff’s ‍drag ‍name ‍in ‍the ‍show? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Even If You Don’t Lose Weight, Dieting May Have Advantages

Compared to their peers, these weight loss resistant individuals were slightly older and more often women. Despite no visible weight change, they showed significant internal improvements: higher HDL (“good”) cholesterol, lower leptin levels, and reduced visceral and liver fat—as assessed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These are deep metabolic shifts with real cardiometabolic consequences. [Press Release]

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International, Israel, Lifestyles, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Jewish Biography: Wilhelm Steinitz, First World Chess Champion

In 1886, the first match in history for the title of World Chess Champion took place in the USA. Steinitz’s opponent was the strongest player of that time, Johannes Hermann Zukertort. Zukertort was a German and later British chess player, the son of a Prussian Lutheran pastor, a baptized Jew, and a missionary who spread Protestantism among the Jews. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Post-Shavuot Weather and Holiday Report

Since Shavuot is over, finish up that cheesecake before it goes bad, get a haircut/trim, and embrace the upcoming summer months. Here in San Diego, the “June Gloom” is in full force. I do not think I have seen my shadow, meaning no peek-a-boo from the sun in a few days. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share