Specific thanks tells your partner that you were paying attention. That is the real gift. (Jené Verchick, PsyD)
Notice the good: The Jewish habit that keeps a marriage sweet Read More »
California, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“So much of what we call the Great American Songbook—and even the sound of Broadway and Hollywood—was shaped by Jewish composers and lyricists whose families had come to this country looking for opportunity and belonging,” Green observed. [Karen Klein]
Gershwin and the LA Jewish Symphony shine at The Soraya Read More »
California, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I sometimes wonder what might have happened if Cain had simply paused at the door. What if, rather than immediately following the impulse his jealousy created, he had been able to ask himself: What am I feeling right now? What story am I telling myself about what happened? What is this feeling asking me to do? And, perhaps most importantly, is that the person I want to be? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D,]
Bereishit: The Psychology of Becoming Read More »
California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The California Legislative Jewish Caucus announced on Thursday that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed all six of the 2026 Jewish Caucus Priority Bills that passed the Legislature. (Press Release)
All 6 Jewish priority bills signed by Governor Newsom Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, News Media, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday in Sacramento signed into law Assembly Bill 1853, legislation that bans threatening, false, and misleading content from California’s voter guides. The bill passed the Senate 32-0, with 8 abstentions, and passed the Assembly 63-10, with 6 abstentions. [SDJW staff report]
The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Sept. 28, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Press Release, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The bills signed, Assembly Bill (AB) 2664 and AB 1836, will strengthen protections for houses of worship and help communities safely gather in the face of rising threats of hate-motivated violence. (Press Release)
Newsom signs 2 bills to protect congregants and sites Read More »
California, Press Release, San Diego County
An important question: whether showing antisemitic imagery provides enough educational benefit to justify the potential harm of displaying it to students. For me, this was a reminder that the technology can help generate ideas, but the educator still has to make the final decision about what students should see and how a difficult subject should be introduced. (Cai;in Acosta)
ADL’s version of Ai helpful in classrooms–but with guard rails Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Many of the proposals, while intended to address the Jewish community’s concerns, would also help other groups. Muslim and Hindu families would also benefit from the two calendar proposals. AB 1763 would remove the parental written request and principal approval requirements for religious absences. AB 395 covers scheduling conflicts with holidays including Yom Kippur, Eid and Diwali. [Shor M. Masori]
Jewish California’s six-bill push reaches the governor Read More »
California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors
He now lives with his wife Judy in Austin, Texas, but he spent a number of years in San Diego and Escondido, where I got to know him. Because he is a native Hebrew speaker, he was often drafted by Ner Tamid Synagogue in Poway to be its Torah reader, and eventually the Conservative congregation’s president. [Donald H. Harrison]
Private memoir describes an interesting Jewish life Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The San Diego chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America requires those seeking its endorsement to refrain from any affiliation with what it calls “Zionist lobby groups,” a prohibition that encompasses liberal organizations that criticize Israeli policy and support Palestinian statehood. When the label attaches regardless of what a group advocates, “Zionist” has stopped describing a political position and become shorthand for “Jew.” (Jason Nevarez, Heidi Gantwerk, Sara E. Brown)
Antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism by Democratic Socialists of America Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
According to Pew Research Center, over 50% of American Jews said ancestry and culture are essential to what being Jewish means to them, while 36% said religion. More than a quarter describe themselves as Jews of no religion. (Press Release)
Twas the night before the night before Rosh Hashanah and all through the land, the rabbis were schvitzing, were their services all planned? [Joshua Kail]
The night before Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA“The rise of antisemitism is undeniable, and our communities must be protected. AB 2664 gives communities an important tool to push back against harassment and intimidation and protect the sanctity of our houses of worship.” (Press Release)
Legislature establishes 100-foot safety zones around houses of worship Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, Press Release
Unfortunately, antisemitism is still an issue around the world and is upsetting to read about in our own San Diego County. The No Place for Hate response is that if you hear something, say something; do not be a bystander, but stand up when hate is encountered. We should support each other. (Cailin Acosta)
Antisemitism still an issue around the world and here in San Diego County Read More »
animals, Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food