The Jewish Historical Society of San Diego, which maintains archives of our community’s history at San Diego State University, has acquired several more collections that will help researchers understand how our local Jewish community developed. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Historical Society obtains new collections Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Moroccan youth today, whether urban or rural based, face enormous obstacles in achieving their self-development and in creating the improvements they seek for their families, communities, country, and even for the world. [Yossef Ben-Meir, PhD}
Moroccan youth must work together to effect change Read More »
International, Yossef Ben-Meir
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has a serious challenger, not from the Opposition but from his own Likud party. Gideon Sa’ar, a man in his early fifties, with a very credible history in Likud, as a Member of Knesset for many years and as a minister of education and interior, aspires to be the new star on Israel’s political firmament. He’s a candidate for party leader at the Likud primaries to be held later this month and daring to challenge “King Bibi.” [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Sa’ar mounts serious challenge to Netanyahu Read More »
Middle East
Another election. This one on Monday, March 2. Why? It depends on who is analyzing. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Fingers point as Israel fails to form a government Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
The Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, on Monday welcomed an agreement by Congressional leaders to increase to $90 million the funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) that will help keep America’s synagogues, other houses of worship, parochial day schools, and nonprofits such as hospitals, libraries and museums safe against terror attacks. The new funding level, which comes as part of Congress’s Appropriations package, represents a 50 percent increase compared to last year’s $60 million funding. [Orthodox Union news release]
On Sunday, Hillcrest Indivisible hosted an “Impeach Trump” rally at Waterfront Park on Harbor Drive. Honestly, the turnout was less than huge. Jodie, one of the organizers from Hillcrest Indivisible, said that more than two thousand people had responded, but it looked like only a few hundred showed up. But a Trump-Baby Blimp –one of eight in the world- was there and quite a hit. [Eric George Tauber]
Getting politically active on a Sunday afternoon Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, USA
Tom and Debbie Farley have behind their home in neighboring Poway a 78-foot high pole that during the Christmas season becomes the trunk of a Christmas display of lights. This year, the lights are blue, teal, and white – the colors of Chanukah in tribute to Poway of Chabad, which last Passover suffered a gunman’s murderous attack that took the life of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and wounded Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz. [Donald H. Harrison]
Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USAOur area may wish to consider an idea raised by Oakland Mayor Rebecca Kaplan that cruise ships may provide appropriate lodging for our homeless population. Older cruise ships are being sold all the time, and with some ingenuity, they can be outfitted to serve not only as dormitories and mess halls but also as places where necessary social services and medical treatment can be easily provided. [Donald H. Harrison]
On homelessness, impeachment, immigration Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
The last few years have brought mounting anxiety for British Jewry. It has been an absolutely shocking time. Boris Johnson’s victory over the extreme left-wing Labour party has been almost like the escape from Haman. [Lloyd Levy]
Escape from horror for British Jews Read More »
International, Lloyd Levy
The works of past and present Jewish photographers are on display at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. There are seven works by Bern Schwartz in Talking With a Friend: Portraits by Bern Schwartz and a single work by Jacob Manowitz, a student at Meadowbrook Middle School. [Donald H. Harrison]
MOPA displays works of Jewish photographers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
I was given the high honor of being invited to this year’s Chanukah party at the White House. When a dear friend asked if I wanted to go I jumped at the chance. Why? It was not to see the holiday decorations (which made me feel as though I was in a winter wonderland), sample the lavish strictly kosher buffet (all I had was a couple of glasses of water), hear the Marine Corps band play Klezmer music (now THAT was otherworldly), see the historic displays of chinaware, meet the members of various branches of the armed services in their full dress regalia, or even to get the chance to meet the President, First Lady, Vice President, or other elected officials or dignitaries. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A ‘Chanukah’ Party at the White House Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-RabbiAn officer of Mazon, the Jewish Response to Hunger, says while a House-Senate conference committee-approved 3.1 percent raise for military personnel is welcome, “it doesn’t make up for nearly 10 years that pay raises for military personnel did not keep up with inflation and cost of living increases. [Donald H. Harrison]
Davis, Mazon, seek food for military dependents Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
There are, roughly speaking, two ways to use a large, modern military force. The first is to enforce international “rules of the road,” guaranteeing freedom of the seas or punishing gross violations of international law and treaties, or keeping the peace by backing up treaties with capabilities. This includes rescuing Kuwait from invasion and occupation by Saddam’s Iraq. It includes retaliating for Syria’s use of chemical weapons. The second way a large and capable country can use its forces is to try to settle other people’s problems. This could include the Vietnam War, 18 years of war in Afghanistan, or centuries-long animosities engendered by 400 years of Turkish anti-Arab colonialism called the Ottoman Empire. [Shoshana Bryen]
Defining U.S. defense policies in the Middle East Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
There is no doubt that ending the impasse between the US and Iran would markedly reduce tension and mitigate some other conflicts in the region, as the discussion between the two sides, according to US sources, will not be limited to Iran’s nuclear program. The US will insist on discussing some of Iran’s nefarious activities, such as its support of jihadist groups and missile development, albeit on a separate track, with linkages to ensure that the benefits Iran acquires from a new nuclear deal are compensated by Tehran’s demonstrable actions as a constructive regional player. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
The case for direct U.S.-Iran negotiations Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA