California

Ron Hassner: UC Berkeley Has Accepted My Requests for Protection of Students

First, I asked that “all students, even the ones wearing Stars of David, should be free to pass through [Sather Gate] unobstructed. The right of protestors to express their views must be defended. It does not extend to blocking or threatening fellow students.” [Ron Hassner]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Calls for a Gaza Ceasefire

“I support President Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages,” he wrote in a letter addressed to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American communities. “I also unequivocally denounce Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel. It is time to work in earnest toward an enduring peace that will furnish the lasting security, autonomy, and freedom that the Palestinians and the Israeli people both deserve.” [CalMatters]

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California, Israel, USA

AMCHA Initiative: UC Faculties Foment Antisemitism; Jews Speak Up at UC Regents Meeting

AMCHA Initiative on Wednesday released a new report which found a staggering increase of 1100% in anti-Zionist advocacy and activism by UC faculty since Oct. 7. The report was sent to the Regents, who are holding their monthly meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday. [Press Release}

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Deborah E. Lipstadt

She wrote Denying the Holocaust in 1994, later defending herself successfully against a libel suit by author David Irving that brought her name to public attention.  She won the 1994 National Jewish Book Award and an appointment by President Bill Clinton to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Larry Kornit: Cantor in Shul, Social Justice Advocate Outside

Four areas of interest have shaped the life of Cantor Larry Kornit of Congregation Beth Tikvah: Religion, music, politics, and sports. In addition to serving as a spiritual leader of what he described as his Conservative/ Reform/ Eclectic congregation, he also has volunteered as a member of the City of Oceanside’s nine-member Housing Commission.  The commission meets in the City Council chambers the fourth Tuesday of each month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in 1993, and the Senate confirmed her on a 96-3 vote, thereby filling the seat that had been vacated upon the retirement of Byron White. She was the first Jewish female justice of the Supreme Court, and eventually became the longest-serving Jewish justice.  When Sandra Day O’Connor retired in 2006, Ginsburg temporarily became the only woman on the nine-member court. [SDJW staff]

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California, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

U.S. Indicts Lyft Driver Who Punched Passenger He Believed to be Jewish

“No one in this country should live in fear because of how they worship or where they come from,” stated U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those who perpetrate hate-fueled violence motivated by antisemitism or by bias of any kind.” [JNS]

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Antisemitism, California, Travel and Food, USA

San Diegan to Develop Programs for Reform Judaism’s Outreach to Underrepresented Groups

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ),  has announced the hiring of San Diego native Sarah Norton as Assistant Vice President of a new venture within the URJ which makes it possible for more individuals to engage with Judaism on their terms. [Press Release]

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California, Jewish Religion, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

OpEd: Ethnic Studies Should Have Been Part of California’s Regular Curriculum

Kit Carson was a legendary figure celebrated as a brave frontiersman. But he was a brutal leader, commanding attacks on Native Americans across the west, destroying food sources and murdering innocent women and children. Yet we have a local park in Escondido named after him. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

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California, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

British director Jonathan Glazer condemns Gaza attacks as he accepts Oscar for Holocaust film

Published by Mirror By Laura Harding, PA Deputy Entertainment Editor & Zoe Delaney British director Jonathan Glazer has condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Gaza Strip as he accepted an Oscar for his film about the banality of evil during the Holocaust. The Zone Of Interest won the best international feature Oscar for the United

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California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Oppenheimer’ sweeps up at Oscars

Published by AFP Hollywood (United States) (AFP) – “Oppenheimer” swept the board on Sunday at the Oscars, Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, with seven awards including best picture and best director, crowning a triumphant year for filmmaker Christopher Nolan. Nolan’s masterful drama about the father of the atomic bomb, half of last summer’s massive

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California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Berkeley Professor Sleeps, Teaches in His Office to Demonstrate for Campus Safety

“My office will be open at all hours of the day and night, on weekdays, and weekends, to all students who do not feel safe or who have been subjected to antisemitic abuse, or who wish to chat. I will also leave a light on in my office window at all times so that all students walking by on Bancroft Ave. can see that at least one faculty members is sleeping as badly at night as they are.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Baskin Robbins Fun: A New Flavor and a Pun

Graphic artists found out that by coloring the curved part of the B, in the initials BR, and the straight line of the R, they would have a bright number 31 within the initials – 31 being Baskin Robbins’ initial concept of having a separate flavor for every day of the month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA