Donald H. Harrison

The importance of Jewish camping

Long before phrases like “immersive engagement” and “experiential Judaism” became common communal language, Jewish camp was already doing that work. Camp created environments where Judaism was not confined to a classroom or a single hour each week. Judaism became woven into the rhythm of daily life through songs, Shabbat under the stars, Hebrew cheers, Israeli dancing, storytelling, friendship, color wars, mentorship, and shared memories that would last a lifetime. [Betzy Lynch]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

New York Times and antisemitism: the Jewish enemy within

Coverage of Israel often portrayed it as a destabilizing force rather than a necessary refuge for a shattered people. By the 1970s and 1980s, legitimate policy critique sometimes slid into rhetoric about excessive Jewish power and dual loyalty. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, News Media, Shanda File, USA

Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …)

When I told my friend, who owns a smart lock, about the product, his ears perked up immediately. He mentioned that this was his biggest issue with his smart lock in India, and if a retrofit existed, he would jump at the chance to get one. [Shor M. Masori]

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Business & Finance, International, Israel, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA

The coming of Shavuot spawns many local celebrations

The seven weeks of counting the Omer are coming to an end soon, and we celebrate with receiving the Torah on Shavuot. Many celebrations include dairy products. Many celebrations include dairy products.  The Israelites didn’t have time that night to kasher their non-dairy foods. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Last letters of Israeli soldiers poignant, witty, and even joyous

The emotional range is extraordinary and serves as a splendid message and lesson for readers. One page may have readers smiling at a soldier’s wit; the next may be almost unbearable because of its honesty. No letter romanticizes war. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Sara Jacobs introduces House resolution to end the war in Iran

Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Every day this unnecessary, reckless war continues is another day that my constituents who are deployed to Iran are in harm’s way and at risk of losing their lives. Our service members deserve better than to be treated as expendable – and so do the American people who are being forced to pay over $1 billion per day for this military adventurism. …” [Press Release]

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Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Parsha Bamidbar: People count as individuals and as part of a group

From a psychological standpoint, recognition is one of the most powerful reinforcers of identity. When we believe that we are truly acknowledged, our internal sense of ourselves becomes more stable, more resilient. When we do not feel or think this way, something begins to erode. We can be physically present yet feel emotionally invisible. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Grossmont College exhibit highlights Holocaust survivors who made their homes in San Diego County

Every survivor’s story is unique, each one a miraculous testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. Holocaust survivors have spent decades rebuilding their lives in the United States — raising families, starting successful businesses, and daring to celebrate life again after unimaginable loss. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Judge recuses prosecutor who promoted current case on his campaign website as a fight against antisemitism

Santa Clara County judge issued a rare order recusing Rosen and his entire office from retrying the case. Superior Court Judge Kelley Paul sided with defense attorneys who cited a range of concerns, including Rosen’s promotion of the case on a campaign website highlighting his efforts in “fighting antisemitism.” [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, California, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

A hidden Jewish angle to Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’

In the late 1990s, on the 50th anniversary of his 1949 play, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller confessed to an interviewer that Willy Loman and his family were intended to be Jews. Further, he said, the title character was inspired by one of his uncles and a suicidal colleague of his father’s, both of them salesmen. [Susie Rosenbluth]

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Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA