La Jolla, California, based public relations executive Jacob Kamaras is a former editor-in-chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS). He is an active member at Adat Yeshurun Synagogue.
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — When it came to planning my family’s summer vacation this year, the process could be summed up by a Yiddish proverb: Der mentsh trakht un Got lakht. Man plans and God laughs. Initially scheduled to depart for Hawaii on August 24, we later realized that we booked that […]
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — One thing is clear about the recent decision by Ben & Jerry’s to stop selling ice cream in what the company described as “Occupied Palestinian Territory” (referring to parts of the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem): Jewish opinions about the frozen products are on fire. As the passionate
Choosing a Flavor of Response to the Ben & Jerry’s Boycott Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — For more than two weeks, the condo building collapse in Surfside, Florida, has remained an inescapable fixture in Jewish and mainstream media alike. Of course, a tragedy of this magnitude merits the abundant coverage. But at this stage, we cannot ignore the emotional toll of the headlines. On
The emotional toll of the Surfside headlines Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, USA
By Jacob Kamaras Jewish Federation of San Diego County President and CEO Michael Jeser, who in May had stepped back from his position because of a recurrence of the cancer that had him sidelined much of last year, on Thursday announced that he has decided to decline further cancer treatment. Jeser wrote on Facebook that
Federation CEO to Decline Further Cancer Treatment, ‘At Peace’ With Decision Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras SAN DIEGO — Here’s the typical interaction at a coffee shop counter on June 15, the day of California’s reopening: Customer (walks in wearing mask): “Hey, do I still need to wear a mask in here?” Barista (wearing mask): “Well, we’re following the new local guidelines, which say that you don’t need
Unmasked, and it feels so…ambiguous Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras SAN DIEGO — How do you connect with Judaism? According to a comprehensive survey of Jewish Americans that the Pew Research Center released earlier in May, “Majorities of U.S. Jews engage in cultural activities like cooking Jewish food (72%), sharing holidays with non-Jewish friends (62%) and visiting historical Jewish sites (57%). Many
Jewish news is Jewish community Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, USA
Jacob Kamaras, a public relations professional who previously served as the first editor in chief of the national Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), has accepted a position as managing editor of San Diego Jewish World, it was announced by Donald H. Harrison, publisher and editor in chief of the daily online news publication. [SDJW staff report]
Jacob Kamaras joins San Diego Jewish World as Managing Editor Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, USA
Congregation Adat Yeshurun is preparing for the historic installation of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Daniel and Brooke Reich from April 30-May 2, cementing the milestone of the synagogue’s first rabbinic transition in its 34-year history. [Jacob Kamaras]
Adat Yeshurun to Install Rabbi, Rebbetzin Reich Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USAWhen former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni sent birthday wishes on December 23 to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, she praised Aliyev for leading Azerbaijan “through national and international challenges.” Given the recent events in Eurasia’s South Caucasus region, Livni’s words carry far more than ceremonial meaning. [Jacob Kamaras]
Religious Freedom and Azerbaijan’s Victory in Nagorno-Karabakh Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, Middle East
“I saw Uriel deplane his Nefesh B’Nefesh flight, I looked at Orin, and I said, ‘Let’s make Aliyah.’ And that was it,” recalls Liora Green regarding her son’s immigration to Israel in August 2019. Indeed, the Green family did not need any further convincing. A year later — and in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic — Liora and Orin Green as well as their children Merav, 14, and Dalia, 11, made Aliyah from La Jolla to join Uriel, 20. Another sibling, Eyal, 17, is completing his studies at Southern California Yeshiva (SCY) High and plans to make Aliyah in June 2021. [Jacob Kamaras]
La Jolla family immigrates to Israel Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla is embarking on a campaign to write a Torah scroll which will be gifted to Rabbi Jeff Wohlgelernter and his wife Shoshie Wohlgelernter in honor of their 33 years of service. [Jacob Kamaras]
33 years later, Adat Yeshurun’s founding rabbi to retire July 1 Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, USAA newly published paper co-authored by a San Diego State University professor and commissioned by a Jewish foundation provides recommendations on best practices for triage guidelines during the coronavirus crisis. [Jacob Kamaras]
SDSU prof, Ruderman Foundation: How to triage during pandemic Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
“Never again.” Those iconic words, widely used in the public discourse around the Holocaust, took a step toward codification under U.S. law with the House of Representatives’ recent passage of the Never Again Education Act on this year’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day. [Jacob Kamaras]
‘Never again’ becoming codified in U.S. law Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish History, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — As a student at Southern California Yeshiva (SCY) High, La Jolla native Uriel Green would often hear from alumni who returned to the school to speak to current students about their experiences living in Israel and serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Green, 19, will soon count
La Jolla’s Uriel Green makes Aliyah Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, San Diego County, USA