International

It Could Have Been A Jewelry Heist

The proprietors of the establishment were an elderly man and his wife. He unlocked the display case and his wife reached inside and lovingly brought out an exquisite diamond necklace fabricated with thirty-two large emerald cut diamonds that she proudly placed on the glass counter. The sparkling piece of jewelry laid magnificently on its bed of royal purple velvet cloth. The price quoted by the proprietors to the customers was a mere $95,000, a steal for such an exquisite piece, in their estimation. The dazzling ornament radiated more brilliantly in elegant arrogance when the price was announced. [Ira Spector]

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Lifestyles, USA

No on State Prop. 24; Yes on S.D. Measure E

Proponents and opponents of Proposition 24 both say that the other side will weaken consumer’s privacy protection, not strengthen it. It’s possible, but not likely, that they are both right. According to the independent legislative analyst, current law requires businesses serving more than 50,000 customers to follow state consumer data privacy standards. This law would exempt companies that serve less than 100,000 customers. That doesn’t sound like increased consumer privacy protection at all. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Viewing the U.S. 30 years after making aliyah

Today, it’s a totally different story in the US and probably everywhere in the West. People who still watch television news expect to hear opinions which are in line which they share – the echo chamber effect. There’s much opinion and subjective (slanted) reporting with very little objective reporting. It’s the same whether on TV, cable, or social networks. The news is no longer something that is subject to debate. It’s this or it’s that, and never shall the twain meet. There is no doubt about the facts. The fact is absolutely this to one group, and it is absolutely that to the opposing group. Therefore, there’s nothing which allows a differing opinion. Put another way, anyone with a differing opinion doesn’t know the facts. [Steve Kramer]

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Middle East, Steve Kramer, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Coronavirus, Haredi demands on Netanyahu roil Israel

In one respect the news is good. The recent closures have reduced daily infections below 2,000 and even below 1,000. However, we’re still plagued with questions. In short, the Haredim, or ultra-Orthodox. Unknown numbers of them decline to be tested. Many of them say that the concern with Coronavirus is exaggerated. They go their own way with respect to opening schools and gathering for weddings, funerals, and other occurrences. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

SWU urges denial of Zoom platform for Leila Khaled

StandWithUs, the pro-Israel organization that opposes anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist activities on college campuses, has written to Zoom Video Communications urging the company to deny a platform to airline hijacker Leila Khaled when she is scheduled to address students  on Friday, Oct. 23, at the University of Hawaii.  Zoom previously denied its platform to Khaled when she was scheduled to address students at San Francisco State University.

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Racism, Cancel Culture, Hypocrisy at Harvard

Harvard University has become another in the growing list of universities where professors found themselves victims of the cancel culture. At UCLA, University of Chicago, Cornell, and Skidmore, faculty members were maligned and threatened with termination for purportedly critiquing Black Lives Matter, defending the police against attacks for perceived racist brutality, and even questioning the extent and reality of anti-black racism at their respective institutions and outside the campus walls. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

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Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

U.S. Attorney, ADL on guard against election interference

Two news releases hit my desk nearly simultaneously.  One was from the office of U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer.  The other was from the Anti-Defamation League.  Both were concerned about the possibility of attempts being made on Nov. 3 to interfere with the orderly processes of the election. [Donald H. Harrison, ‘Our Shtetl San Diego County’]

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Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Satire: Up on the Stage: It’s Superspreader!

Ever since it was revealed that Donald Trump planned to wear a superman costume underneath his clothes after being released from Walter Reed Hospital, DC Comic’s Legion of Superheroes voted on whether to admit him to its ranks. Batman recused himself because he knew the bat that was the original source of the Coronavirus. Wonder Woman did likewise on the grounds that she had campaigned for Hillary Clinton in 2016 when she asserted that she could mercilessly pummel Trump to a pulp on Paradise Island and none of the Amazons would care. The other members of the Legion had reservations too, but voted for him on the basis of his most obvious superpower: his ability to irresponsibly infect his minions with a deadly disease. They dubbed him “Superspreader.” They even wrote the prologue to the upcoming blockbuster Superspreader. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]      

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Good News from Israel (October 18, 2020)

Jews globally restarted reading the Torah this week from Genesis and Israelis are certainly continuing the creative task. New Covid-19 treatments, life-saving surgical procedures and medical apps. Israel is a pioneer, stopping the fur trade and international bribery and launched Bedouin Arab startups. Innovations include a new agricultural R&D center, a hybrid drone, airport security, landmine and disaster detection, electric roads, a recycled electric car and new ways to enjoy culture, nature and entertainment online. [Michael Ordman]

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Michael Ordman, Middle East

SDJW recommends ‘Yes’ votes on Prop. 25, Measure B

On our state and San Diego city ballots, we have opportunities to make our criminal justice system more fair and responsive.  State Prop. 25 would eliminate the money bail system for defendants prior to their trials, replacing it with a system based on risk assessment.  Measure B on the City of San Diego ballot would create an independent Commission on Police Practices. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

SAJAC hosts forum on Jewish genetic risks

The two-hour program kicked off with a review of Ashkenazi history by UCSD clinical Urology Professor Dr. Franklin Gaylis. He explained how the shtetl-confined Ashkenazi communities of Eastern Europe, complicated by consanguineous marriages, concentrated the incidence of BRCA 1 and 2 mutant genes in their population, to a rate of 1 in 40 persons. Eighty percent of modern Jews have Ashkenazi ancestry.These genes cause a predilection for breast and ovarian cancer. [Irv Jacobs, M.D]

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International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Are sports, entertainment waning in wake of Covid19?

American entertainment and sports have shaped US society and influenced and appealed to the interest of a global audience for decades. This, however, seems to be changing. Media analysis shows that ratings of the once most popular programs are hitting historic lows as a result of the coronavirus crisis. I would not pay it particular attention were it not for pop culture’s predominance in people’s lives. Undoubtedly, it indicates a turning point, a shift, a new quest for more meaningful fulfillment that can only be achieved through human connection. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

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Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

An unforgettable tour and cyclone in Borneo

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Don’t even try to enter with an Israeli passport!  A good percentage of the women wear a single colored scarf around their heads and necks for modesty. I don’t understand how they tolerate it in the Equatorial heat, but I became quite fond of the habit as a fashion statement. I liked how it framed the face, particularly the pretty ladies. The few wahines I saw draped floor to ceiling in black burkas I found mysterious, like covered statues at an unveiling. I figured they had to be ten degrees hotter than we infidels, unless they had battery-operated fans hidden inside the garb. [Ira Spector]

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International, Travel and Food