Lebanon has no functioning government. It is under the thumb of Hassan Nasrallah, Secretary-General of Hezbollah since 1992. Its latest and worst catastrophe (felt throughout several surrounding countries including Israel) happened in August 2020, when a large amount of explosive chemicals stored at the Beirut Port exploded. [Steve Kramer]
What’s Next for Lebanon and Israel? Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Steve Kramer
I hope that Israel is successful wiping out Hamas as a military and a political force. Thereafter, I hope that Israel will not let the situation stagnate but will build upon its victory by fostering in Gaza humanitarian aid and beneficial governance. [Donald H. Harrison]
After the War, Efforts at Reconciliation Must be Launched Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East
When my father was in Auschwitz, the Nazi commander Amon Geothe told him the world will forget about how the Nazis killed six million Jews. Unfortunately, he was right. (Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel)
Colleges are Building a Generation of Frankenstein’s Monsters Read More »
Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Most identify the Book of Psalms as a collection of Jewish hymns, prayers, and poems mostly focusing on praising and adoring God. Rabbis Jack Riemer and Elie Spitz, co-authors of Duet on Psalms, with their long careers as pulpit rabbis recognize for too many, reciting psalms is a perfunctory exercise, spoken without passion and devoid of their intrinsic meaning. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
The Hidden Passion and Joy of Psalms Described by Two Rabbis Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
Growing up, Wunder had a mixed set of experiences – a family that loved him and was very protective of him versus schoolmates and authority figures who singled him out because he was Asian. “It was anything from kids making fun of your eyes to the food that you eat, or assuming you speak another language and making fun of it, even if you don’t,” recalled Wunder, who works today as Director of Community Engagement for Temple Solel in Encinitas. Wunder is also one of 15 persons across the nation chosen in 2022 for a Wexner Field Fellowship. [Donald H. Harrison]
Terry Wunder: Rejoicing in a Jewish Identity Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Julius Katz shared the story of his friend who spoke fluent German and was in WW II stationed at a camp in Europe near the end of the war, He was awakened from a deep sleep and summoned into the main room where there about a dozen Nazi soldiers fully armed. He and his troops were quite frightened, and his friend spoke to them in German asking them what they wanted, they responded to him in German that they came to surrender, and he told them in German to drop their arms and raise their arms which they did . [Bill Sperling]
Jewish Vets Share Their Military Experiences Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
Editor’s Note: The executive summary of the demographic study of San Diego’s Jewish population is published below. A community meeting will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3rd at the Lawrence Family JCC to gather, interpret the results, and gain community insight. As space is limited, registration via this website is
Who Are We? San Diego County Jewish Demographic Study Released Read More »
Judaism, San Diego County
Published by Reuters By Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu and Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israel will begin daily four-hour pauses in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday to enable Palestinians to flee hostilities in the coastal enclave, the White House said after President Joe Biden said he had sought pauses of three days or more. White
Biden gets four-hour battle pauses from Israel after pushing for three-day stoppages Read More »
IsraelThe painful irony of the Jewish allegiance to progressive causes is that it has occasionally been reciprocated with betrayal, as some factions within these movements have fostered prejudicial narratives against Israel. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Shedding Our Illusions Read More »
Holocaust, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, USA
It’s been a hard month not only for all of us in the Jewish community, but for the entire San Diego community. With all of the unrest and strife happening, the audience at Broadway In San Diego’s Mamma Mia was ready to let loose and revel in the joyous ABBA songs that make up the backbone of this whimsical show at the Civic Theatre. [Sandi Masori]
Audience Delights in Familiar Songs of ‘Mamma Mia’ Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
A “celebration of life” for the late former Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego) has been scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Elijah’s Restaurant, 7061 Clairemont Mesa, according to his wife Mary Lundberg. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Celebration of Life’ Ceremony Scheduled Nov. 18 for Former Assemblyman Howard Wayne Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyKristallnacht essentially served as a harbinger of the Holocaust, testing the limits of Nazi aggression and prefiguring the “Final Solution.” The tepid international response post-Kristallnacht may have further convinced the Nazis of their impunity, contributing to the escalation toward genocide. The same kind of psychological desensitization can be seen in the Western world since the great massacre of October 7, 2023. The depersonalization of the Jews of Israel has occurred for nearly a hundred years or more. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Hamas Follows in the Nazis’ Footsteps Read More »
Travel and Food
Hundreds of San Diegans who viewed a “Bring Them Home” webinar to rescue the estimated 240 hostages abducted from Israel to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, were urged on Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, to take five steps to help bring about the hostages’ release from the Hamas terror organization. [Donald H. Harrison]
San Diego County Vigil Held Online for Hostages Taken by Hamas Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County
Event organizers remarkably balanced an evening of much needed joy and community, while remaining present to and not diminishing the heaviness and heartbreak of the ongoing war in Israel. People swayed with their arms around each other during Havdalah and as we sang Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem. [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
Federation Fundraiser Mixes Sorrow and Joy Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann