California

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]

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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]

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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]

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

Schiff Cosponsors Bill to Restrict Border Patrol Operations to Areas Within 25 Miles of the Mexican Border

U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-California) and Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) have introduced legislation that, except under extraordinary circumstances, would confine Border Patrol law enforcement activities to 25 miles north of the international border with Mexico. [Donald H. Harrison]

Schiff Cosponsors Bill to Restrict Border Patrol Operations to Areas Within 25 Miles of the Mexican Border Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl: Thoughts on a Drive Back to San Diego

Provisioned with a variety of tamales, bañuelos (crispy-thin dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, a typical Mexican holiday dessert, muy delicioso!), and my father-in-law’s “famous rum cake,” my family and I are heading back to “somewhat sunny” San Diego from El Paso. (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Political Briefing, Dec. 24, 2025: Five Senators Object to Stiffer Fees for Non-U.S. Residents to Visit National Parks and Monuments

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and four other Western States senators are calling on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to delay the scheduled Jan. 1 imposition of new fees for non-U.S. residents to visit national parks and monuments, including the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing, Dec. 24, 2025: Five Senators Object to Stiffer Fees for Non-U.S. Residents to Visit National Parks and Monuments Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Ministers in Israel’s government approved a bill establishing a commission of inquiry into the events leading up to the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, according to The Times of Israel.  Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara said the legislation, scheduled for a Knesset vote on Wednesday, Dec. 24, “politicizes the commission …” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing:  Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

By Donald H. Harrison in San Diego We encourage our readers to follow the links below to the stories that attract their interest. INTERNATIONAL The Bondi Beach massacre in which 15 innocents were murdered on the first day of Chanukah has had repercussions in Australia and around the world.  Australian Jewish News reports that Australia’s

Jewish Political Briefing:  Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 15, 2025

Actor/ Director Rob Reiner. 78, and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were stabbed to death on Sunday in their Brentwood, California home.  Police booked his son Nick Reiner, 32, on suspicion of murder. Nick, who has struggled with drug addiction, was held without the possibility of bail. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Entertainers Barbra Streisand, Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, Debra Messing, Jason Alexander, Julianna Margulies, Mayim Bialik, Steve Guttenberg, Adam Arkin, Shulem Lemmer, Tovah Feldshuh, Barry Manilow, and CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will participate. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, Press Release, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jewish Political Briefing: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country’s failure to deliver an agreed amount of water to Texas is not because of ill will, but because of “the amount of water there is and the amount of water that can be taken by pipeline.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA