Jews are sharply divided. Here, in Israel, close to or more than 70 percent support Donald Trump, and only 30 percent or less support Joe Biden. In America, among Jews, the figures are opposite. Polls show that some 70 percent support Biden, and about 30 percent support Trump. One people with a split opinion. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Israeli, U.S. Jews split on Biden vs. Trump Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
There is no shortage of world-class leaders who have visited and left their mark on Valley Center, among them a future king of England (Edward, Prince of Wales); a president of the United States (Dwight Eisenhower), and a widowed First Lady (Eleanor Roosevelt). But there also was a prince — not a fairytale prince, but a legendary blue-blood better known as a playboy, socialite, racehorse jockey, and husband of one of the world’s most famous movie stars. He was also a diplomat and United Nations official, and it was in that role that he came to Valley Center in 1959. {Robert Lerner]
Pakistani prince visited Rancho Lilac Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
We watched from our cottage as rows of arched terra-cotta tiles slid off the steeply pitched roof of the open-air bar, sliding off in perfect sequence. First one row would go, and then when it was gone, the next row would begins its journey, like soldiers marching across a parade field. The raging bay-water, just a few feet away, hurled itself against the up-tilted rock outcrop, exploding like wet fireworks. Beyond the shore was an endless procession of peaks and troughs of white-capped waves that terrified my seasick soul. [Ira Spector]
Enduring a Chubasco in Zihuatanejo Read More »
International, The World We Share, Travel and Food
Federal prosecutors still haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty for the assailant who killed Lori Gilbert Kaye and wounded three other people at Chabad of Poway during a Passover 2019 observance, Kristina Davis of The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Saturday. The newspaper said that the defense team for defendant John T. Earnest, 21, has reported that the coronavirus pandemic has hampered “mitigation investigation critical to a meaningful penalty phase in a capital prosecution.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Feds evaluate death penalty for Poway Chabad shooter Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County
Not only humans gathered around computer screens, but animals too, for Internet Shabbat services Friday night conducted by Rabbi/ Cantor Cheri Weiss of the San Diego Outreach Synagogue. This Shabbat, Jews around the world read Parshat Noach — the story of Noah’s Ark — and the rabbi figured it would be the perfect occasion to recite a “Blessing of the Animals” composed by Rabbi Jonathan Aaron of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, California. [Donald H. Harrison]
Blessings and Pats on Their Heads Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, USA
Former Vice President Joe Biden compared the U.S. relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un today to America’s “good relationship with Hitler before he, in fact, invaded Europe — the rest of Europe.”
The comparison came during one of many sharp exchanges Thursday night between Biden, the Democratic nominee for President, and President Donald J. Trump, the Republican, in their second and last debate before the Nov. 3 election. [Donald H. Harrison)
Biden likens North Korea to pre-war Nazi Germany Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
I wanted to use my newly minted social work skills and found a job teaching the principles of case work, which had never been taught in the local school of social work. It was a professional school not affiliated with the university. Students stood up whenever I entered the classroom, and they were to be called by their last names preceded by mademoiselle or monsieur. I translated all my class notes from Columbia into French. Case work is the presentation of a problem which students need to find the best way to help the client to resolve. It was challenging to teach this method, which included starting where the client is and including him or her in finding a solution. Swiss students were raised in a more authoritarian culture [Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D, ACSW]
My New Life in Switzerland, 1965 Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Science, Medicine, & Education
The disgusting advertisement jumps out at you from page 9 of The Jewish Journal covering south Florida: “If You’re Jewish WHY are you Still Voting Democrat?” The ad goes downhill from there. A Jewish Orlando, Fla., woman posts on Facebook: “If you’re JEWISH and Haven’t Voted Yet: PLEASE STOP and THINK! How Can A JEWISH Person Vote For Hitler!” [Bruce S. Ticker]
Studies in Horrific Election Rhetoric Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
Scholarly programs on diverse Jewish subjects, compiled by Laurie Baron, Ph.D.
Streaming Jewish Programs (Oct. 25-30) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Turkey’s President Erdogan is becoming ever more dangerous as he continues to ravage his own country and destabilize scores of states in the Middle East, the Balkans, and North Africa, while cozying up to the West’s foremost adversaries. Sadly, there seems to be no appetite for most EU member states to challenge Erdogan and put him on notice that he can no longer pursue his authoritarianism at home and his adventurous meddling abroad with impunity. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
Erdogan’s Calamitous Authoritarianism Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
There are over 500 collected non-Biblical flood stories from around the globe. The most famous is contained within the epic legend of Gilgamesh. He may have actually been a historical person, a wise Sumerian king on an adventure to win fame. He encountered Utnapishtim, the actual flood figure, who survived in a vessel, a Great Deluge that destroyed mankind. Gilgamesh learned the details from Utnapishtim. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Ancient Flood Stories and The Tower of Babel Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and FoodThe March of the Living organization has called upon Jewish communities and their friends around the world to keep their lights on at synagogues, Jewish institutions, and at homes in solemn remembrance of the night known as Kristallnacht on Nov. 9, 1938, when Nazis burned more than 1,400 synagogues and Jewish institutions in Germany. [Donald H. Harrison, Our Shtetl San Diego County]
March of the Living plans worldwide Kristallnacht remembrance Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USAFollowing is a list of positions San Diego Jewish World has taken on candidates and propositions appearing on ballots in San Diego County. In some cases, we have made no endorsement, either because we felt we didn’t have enough information to do so, or because we could not bring ourselves to back either candidate. Each endorsement in the list below is linked to the original editorial, so that you can see if you agree with our reasons. [Donald H. Harrison]
Comprehensive list of SDJW endorsements Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
The capabilities of Jews in countless areas are no secret and if we were to award the highest prizes and recognitions based on accomplishments in all fields, Jews would receive even more awards than we already do. However, I do not think getting medals or trophies should be a reason for Jewish pride. I do not spend time counting the number of awards because it is not what we need to stand out for. We need to be prominent for fulfilling the role that the world truly expects from us. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Jewish Nobel Prize Winners; Does It Matter? Read More »
International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, USA