International

‘MJ the Musical’ brings Michael Jackson’s music and movement back to San Diego

The strongest part of the production is the four performers who carry the different versions of Michael. Jordan Markus, as MJ, captures the voice, the movement, and the careful way Jackson carried himself between pain and whimsy. [Shor M. Masori]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Rabbi Leon Morris describes why the Jewish people have always remained hopeful

Morris explained that optimal hope allows people to continue striving even when success seems unlikely. Rather than being driven only by expectations of fulfillment, optimal hope is fueled by wishes, aspirations and determination. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

War on Jews being fought on many fronts

What worries me most touched an adjacent congressional district in Philadelphia and the Senate election in my favorite state, Maine. Two so-called friends of the Palestinians are making both Democratic primaries disgusting – state Rep. Chris Rabb in Philly and Graham Platner in Maine. (Bruce S. Ticker)

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, International, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

ADL reports decline overall in antisemitic incidents, but notes an increase in violence against Jews

Even as overall incidents decreased, physical assaults increased by 4 percent, and incidents of assault involving a deadly weapon increased by 39-percent. Moreover, three people were murdered in antisemitic attacks this past year: two victims in the May 21, 2025, shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., and one victim who died from injuries sustained in the June 1, 2025, firebombing attack at a “Run for Their Lives” event in Boulder, Colorado. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Jewish History, Press Release, USA

Lag B’Omer bonfires unlikely to be doused in San Diego County

We got a little scatter of rain this morning; hopefully, all the exciting bonfires scheduled tonight around the county will not have their fires extinguished by any surprise rain pockets. But the rain is so welcome and needed. [Cailin Acosta]

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

Satire: Defacing American passports

The painting of Frances Scott Key on the back cover of the passport has been replaced by John Trumbull’s “Declaration of Independence” to emphasize that the United States doesn’t have to heed anything England wants, particularly when its king lectures Congress about subversive ideas like an independent judiciary, separation of powers, and checks and balances. (Laurie Baron) 

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International, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish visitors do not feel at home any longer in France

I told the butcher that I was Israeli and looking for medical help for my daughter. He found the address of a Jewish pharmacy and directed me there. At the pharmacy, I introduced myself, which caused excitement among the Jewish pharmacists. They were thrilled: we are Jews, we are from Israel, and my grandfather was a pharmacist. Miraculously, a prescription for antibiotics for our daughter appeared. Jewish solidarity worked even when the city was idle. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Brandeis Center asserts National Education Association discriminates against Jewish members

The NEA’s policies allow and encourage discrimination against Jewish NEA members and erase Jewish members’ identity and shared ancestry, leading to Jewish NEA members being harassed and intimidated by other members in the union. (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Hebrew Free Loan benefitted award-winning Mission Bagel

The award-winning sandwich is a statement of cultural pride. Layering house-sliced gefilte fish, beet horseradish, and cream cheese with a Sephardic charoset of dates, walnuts, and sweet wine, the creation bridges the Ashkenazi and Sephardic flavors of the Jewish diaspora. [Press Release]

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Business & Finance, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Proposed legislation to gut law protecting Jewish students is killed

The proposed language was never amended into the bill, and it was never referred to a committee, missing Friday’s legislative deadline to advance this session. Yet another effort to undo our hard-earned civil rights has failed, and AB 715 remains the law of California. (David Bocarsly)

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California, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Book on I Samuel combines religious scholarship, easy-to-read writing

The book chronicles Israel’s transition from a confederation of tribes led by judges to a united monarchy under kings, covering the lives of Samuel (the last judge), Saul (the first king), and David’s rise to power. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Special Mother’s Day of hope: A message gleaned from a very serious wind accident

Suddenly an unexpected gale force wind came along and lifted me from the sidewalk and hurled me 15 feet into the street, right into the path of oncoming traffic. I tried to stand up but my right leg collapsed, feeling like an empty airbag. My hip joint shattered from the fall and I was now stuck on the ground. [Amy Neustein]

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Amy Neustein, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Michael Rothbaum, Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera join anti-ICE demonstration

“The foundation story of the Jewish people is the story of the Israelite refugees,” Rothbaum said. “We… honor the immigrant and love the immigrant and respect the immigrant… because we know what it was like to live under the shadow of Pharoah, under the shadow of suspicion and surveillance,” he said, leading attendees in a singing prayer. [Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA