International

Yom Ha’atzma’ut celebration in San Diego scheduled for Sunday, April 26

Jewish Federation of San Diego’s celebration of Yom Ha’Atzma’ut will be highlighted by a music festival at noon, Sunday, April 26, at the Lawrence Family JCC. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

The Matzo Chronicles: My personal plagues

I know Passover has passed, but I’m living through a series of personal plagues. They’re not Biblical in proportion, but for mere mortal me, they’re epic and loathsome. Of course, good Jewish wife that I am, I blame my suffering, not on God, but on my spouse. [Karen Galatz, The Matza Chronicle]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Bill introduced to ban demonstrations within 100 feet of Houses of Worship

The SACRED Act would create federal penalties for targeted harassment and engaging in conduct intended to intimidate or obstruct people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, while simultaneously protecting the First Amendment rights of those who seek to protest, picket and/or demonstrate. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Press Release, USA

JNF-USA provides alternate Be’er Sheva site for bombed out elementary school

Moledet, an elementary school in Be’er Sheva, was hit by a missile launched from Iran. The school serves approximately 340 students, including around 30 who have hearing impairments, and many students’ families also suffered damage to their homes from the attack. … While their school is being rebuilt and restored, the students were able to continue learning at our Muss South campus, which is providing these children with safe and uninterrupted learning. [Press Release]

This critical support highlighted the importance of our partnership in times of crisis, emphasizing the strength and solidarity unique to the Jewish nation that allows for normalcy in the face of adversity.

Muss will soon welcome its next cohort of North American high school students, continuing our mission of Zionist engagement and creating the next generation of informed Israel supporters.

Learn more about Muss or send us a lead for a student here.

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Anti-Israel screed published in California’s voter pamphlet

California’s candidate statement guidelines (page may be down) are clear: statements must be limited to a candidate’s personal background and qualifications. The statement published by Don J. Grundmann does not meet that standard. Instead, it promotes hateful rhetoric and conspiracy theories unrelated to his background or qualifications. (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release

Current war, domestic politics dampen Israel’s celebration of Independence Day

In the past I would happily watch the broadcast of the official ceremony on television, enjoying the sense of unity and national pride. This year, however, like many other people, I preferred other fare and found a funny movie to watch instead. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Violently attacked Jewish groups lobby Congress for protection

ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) on Wednesday brought together Jewish leaders from four communities directly impacted by violent antisemitic hate crimes to urge members of Congress to act on critical legislative priorities in the face of an unprecedented wave of attacks against Jewish institutions. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Multiple celebrations in San Diego County of Israel’s Independence Day

Yom Ha’Atzmaut is Israel’s Independence Day, which began in 1948, when Israel was declared a state. On the Hebrew calendar, it lands on the 5th of Iyar, which this year begins at sundown on Tuesday, April 21, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, April 22. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Tove came late to the party, but still found a seat on the dais

We are often impressed when we read of a child prodigy or a wunderkind who achieves notoriety at a young age. Perhaps the same could be said when we meet someone who achieves his dream after keeping it on the backburner for the bulk of his life.  Meet writer-producer Mike Tove. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Innovative exhibit teaches children and neighbors about Judaism

Guests sampled a variety of traditional foods tied to Jewish holidays. Passover offerings included matzo ball soup, charoset, matzo, and gefilte fish. Chanukah favorites featured latkes served with sour cream and applesauce, along with hummus. Rosh Hashanah treats included apples with honey, while a classic Jewish brunch spread offered bagels with cream cheese and lox. Beverages included Dr. Brown’s sodas and tea served with sugar cubes. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Just wars: Pope ignores Thomas Aquinas, Maimonides

When a religious leader pours the “milk” of unconditional pacifism into the “meat” of a life-and-death military struggle, the result is a curdled moral confusion. This mixture makes it impossible to digest the hard reality of defense, leading to a “forbidden” policy that benefits neither the state nor the soul. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Congressional candidate switches parties to oppose Sara Jacobs on Israel

My positions on Israel are clear and unwavering. I support Israel’s right to defend itself decisively against Hamas, Hezbollah, and any other terrorist groups that seek its destruction. I do not believe a two-state solution is viable or responsible until Hamas, Hezbollah, and all military opponents are completely disarmed and deradicalized. Only then can lasting peace and security be possible for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire region. [Stan Caplan]

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Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA