California

Feeling pride as I parade the Torah through my congregation

I am always so humbled and honored to be asked and trusted to carry such a sacred possession through the aisles as people kiss their siddurim (prayer books) or tallits (prayer shawls) and touch them to the Torah. [Cailin Acosta]

Feeling pride as I parade the Torah through my congregation Read More »

Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026

Including the U.S., 20 countries attended the signing ceremony: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

From grief to healing: The Southern California family behind a guide dog training park in Israel

At the entrance to the park, a plaque carries the message Laurie and John wanted the world to know: this was created in memory of their brother, not for publicity, but for purpose. The fact that Paul had no children, the family writes, was “a deep sadness in his life”—one that Laurie and John are determined to transform into something meaningful. [Jacob Kamaras]

From grief to healing: The Southern California family behind a guide dog training park in Israel Read More »

California, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the News: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Deborah Lipstadt, a former special envoy to counter antisemitism in Joe Biden’s administration, and Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, were offended by reports that Kamala Harris’ vetting team for her potential vice presidential running mates asked Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro if he had ever been a double agent for Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the News: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Read More »

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

AB 715, abolishing antisemitism in K-12 classrooms, ruled constitutional

Within a month after passage, a complaint seeking to halt the Jan. 1 implementation of the bill was filed against Newsom, Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. The complaint claimed the law restricts teachers’ free speech rights, is vague and ambiguous, and denies students full learning opportunities. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

AB 715, abolishing antisemitism in K-12 classrooms, ruled constitutional Read More »

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

Jews in the news: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026

Efrat Sopher, head of the World Jewish Congress’s International Task Force on Iran and Islamic Extremism, said Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi may have the experience and the experience of the team around him, as well as widespread support in Iran, to lead the country which overthrew his father, the Shah, in 1979. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Wikipedia

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

“Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the News: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

Fourteen Democratic U.S. Senators led by Alex Padilla of California and Ron Wyden of Oregon have filed a friends-of-the-court brief in the mail ballot case of Watson vs. Republican National Committee. That dispute involves the Republican party trying to invalidate a Mississippi law stating that so long as a mail-in ballot is postmarked on Election Day or before, it may be counted for up to five days beyond the election. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the News: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Non-profit security grants, Holocaust education in Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal

While neither item is fully funded in the January proposal, the Governor commits to working with the Legislature to include funding for both in the May Revision. In prior years, these priorities typically emerged much later in the budget process. [Press Release]

Non-profit security grants, Holocaust education in Gov. Newsom’s budget proposal Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, Press Release

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum: “We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: intervention has never brought democracy, never generated well-being, nor lasting stability.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded innocent in the New York federal court of Judge Alvin Hellerstein to charges of drug and arms trafficking.  Attorney Barry Pollack represented Maduro at the arraignment.  The next court date was set for March 17. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Wisdom and resilience of Amy Thurman

Nearly a decade ago, Thurman endured an undiagnosed fracture of her neck and brain stem. Her body eventually collapsed, leaving her paralyzed. She had to relearn every basic skill—walking, reading, speaking, even eating. Each day required starting over. And yet, she persevered. [Michael Adam Cohen]

Wisdom and resilience of Amy Thurman Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Political Briefing: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025

David Bocarsly, executive director of the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), hailed a ruling in federal court on Wednesday upholding the constitutionality of AB 715, California’s law attempting to end antisemitism in the public schools.  [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Perry Twins: Rhythm, Resonance, and the Revolution of Joy

Collaborations with Tara Kemp and Niki Haris arrived not through strategy, but alignment. In Jewish mysticism, souls recognize each other across lifetimes. These partnerships feel like that. Voices that carry history, strength, and survival. Together, they are not chasing relevance. They are restoring lineage. [Michael Adam Cohen]

The Perry Twins: Rhythm, Resonance, and the Revolution of Joy Read More »

California, Jewish Religion, Michael Adam Cohen, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA