California

Jewish Man Thrown Out of Oakland Cafe Files Lawsuit

Harara approached Hirsch and demanded to know if he was a “Zionist.” When Hirsch refused to answer the question, Harara demanded that Hirsch leave the premises, threatened to call the police, subjected him to physical contact and verbal slurs. Harara raised his voice at Hirsch and he and another employee attempted to physically push Hirsch toward the exit.  Harara stated, “this is a violent hat and you need to leave.”  [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release, USA

California Court Strikes Down Prejudiced Ethnic Studies Courses

The Santa Ana decision came 18 months after a coalition of organizations sued the district in Sept. 2023, accusing it of violating California’s open meetings Brown Act and not protecting the public, including members of the Jewish community, from intimidation and harassment at board meetings. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Times of San Diego

Oscar Predictions 2025

This year making Oscar predictions is difficult for several reasons.  Oscar prognosticators originally thought that Emilia Perez was the frontrunner in many of the 13 categories for which it was nominated.  Then past Islamophobic and racist social media posts by it its transgender lead Karla Sofía Gascón surfaced undermining its Oscar chances. [Laurie Baron]

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California, International, Israel, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Antisemitic Ethnic Studies Classes to Cease in Santa Ana Unified School District

Major Jewish organizations on Thursday, Feb. 20, announced that the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against the school district for introducing ethnic studies courses that were developed in secret and infected with antisemitism. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Holocaust Education Fund Proposed by State Senator Stern

This critical legislation will establish the Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program to provide direct allocations to districts to help them establish relevant courses and professional development opportunities around Holocaust and Genocide Education (HGE). [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Jewish Biography: Arnold Schoenberg, Composer and Latter-Day Jew

After the Nazis came to power, Schoenberg emigrated to the United States. On his way there, in 1933, he underwent a rite of conversion to Judaism in a synagogue in Paris. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Caucus in State Capitol Expresses Solidarity with Refugees and Immigrants

“The experience of the Jewish Community, particularly within the United States and California, is rooted in the immigrant story. Many of our families came here as immigrants and refugees fleeing persecution and in search of a better life. We see our stories reflected in the immigrants and refugees of today and we are proud to stand in solidarity with them as they are targeted in this moment of deep vulnerability…”

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California, International, Jewish History, Press Release, USA

Hillel at UC San Diego Takes Pro-Active Steps to Counter Antisemitism

One week after the annual hate-filled apartheid week organized by various student organizations at UC San Diego, pro-Israel students will get to counter-program with “joy” by sponsoring Israel week.  The on-campus celebration will open this May’s observance of Jewish Heritage Month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Drama Concerns Family Members’ Reactions to a Memoir Spilling Their Secrets

Other Desert Cities at Cygnet theater is the story of  family members grappling with secrets from their past. Writer Brooke Wyeth (Melanie Lora) comes home to Palm Springs after finishing her second book.  Only this time her book isn’t a novel, it’s a memoir and it’s focused on the hardest time in her family’s history, when her brother committed suicide after being implicated in an anti-war protest turned deadly.  [Sandi Masori]

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California, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast