International

Reform Rabbi Draws on His Jewish and Latino Heritage

His parents’ diverse cultural backgrounds “in one way were symbiotic and, in others, very separate, Nevarez reflected. “At different times in my life, I was uncomfortable about them; I didn’t know how to wed the two.” Later in life, however, “I have not only embraced it; it has actually extended my capacity to do what I do in the world, which is my rabbinate, and to be able to be in a relationship with different cultures and ethnicities because of my background.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County

‘A Small Light’ Leaves a Big Impression about the Holocaust

Many of us grew up with the story of Anne Frank. I read her diary, saw a movie and plays about her, read books by people who knew her, even interviewed one of her contemporaries. Although I was quite familiar with the important role Miep Gies had played in Anne Frank’s life, it was not until I watched this dramatization that I came to understand the intensity of Miep’s experience and the vast contours of her bravery as well as that of her husband Jan. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

San Diego’s Raphael Delgado Among 4 Californians Selected for The Bronfman Fellowship

NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Bronfman Fellowship has selected its 37th cohort of intellectually curious 11th-graders from across North America, among them the founder of InvestNow Clubs, a nonprofit which brings investment clubs to schools in historically disadvantaged communities; a published author whose historical research has been featured in publications such as Scholastic’s Best

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

San Diego Unified School District Board Formally Recognizes Jewish American Heritage Month

With only one day of Jewish American Heritage Month remaining, the San Diego Unified School Board on Tuesday, May 30, unanimously recognized May as Jewish American Heritage Month and encouraged “staff, students, and community members to raise awareness and educate future generations about Jewish Americans and their role in the diverse fabric of our country and communities and in the American experience.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Biden’s ‘Complicity’ With Pro-Palestinian Rhetoric

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — “Silence is complicity.” By his own standards, President Biden undermined his expansive project to confront antisemitism in America that he introduced last Wednesday, and 15 days before that he ignored an opportunity to directly take on an act that threatens the Jewish community. U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat,

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA

Year-Long Holocaust Exhibition Features Survivors Who Settled in S.D. County

There is much to read in addition to the shelved books at the Rancho San Diego County Library.  From now until next May 21, which will be the one-year anniversary of a Holocaust exhibition curated by Sandra Scheller, visitors can read on standing panels a brief timeline of the Holocaust and the experiences of some victims who suffered through it and later settled in San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County

Federation’s Community-Wide Israel Trip is Filled With Poignant Moments

By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — For the 219 community members and professionals who traveled to Israel in May on Jewish Federation of San Diego “CommUNITY” trip, the timing of their visit to San Diego’s longtime partner region of Sha’ar HaNegev was unforgettable. Rocket attacks in the area began just hours after the visitors

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Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, San Diego County

JPlate: SHIVA

Here is a Jewish-interest license plate that puzzled Harry Jacobson-Beyer of Louisville, Kentucky, and frankly puzzles us too.  A shiva is the seven-day mourning period following the burial of a loved one.  If that is what “shiva” on this license plate refers to, then we offer the owner of the car bearing this license plate our condolences. We are used to license plates being more celebratory in nature, but people grieve in their own ways.  If on the other hand, the car owner sought to convey some other message, well, he or she is likely to notice now and then some confused Jewish drivers in the rear-view mirror.

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Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home

It is a playhouse with good yichus.  It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Of Robots, Banned Books, Dying, and Abortions

Elkins was one of three presenters at a Tikun Leil Shavuot, a Shavuot night study session at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The others were Marcia Tatz Wollner, who spoke about book banning and burning through the ages, and Dr. Seth Krosner, M.D., a critical care surgery specialist, who discussed what Jewish texts have to say about decisions concerning end of life and abortions. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology

Jewish Federation of San Diego: White House Plan to Address Antisemitism ‘Embraces Many of Our Policy Priorities’

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Jewish Federation of San Diego on Thursday stated that it “applauds the White House for crafting a broad plan to address rising antisemitism that embraces many of our policy priorities, including funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $360 million, full funding for the Jabra-No Hate Act, and ensuring quality

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San Diego County, USA