USA

Pennsylvanians glory in their election role

My head swelled for awhile as Joe Biden, Donald Trump and their surrogates traversed Pennsylvania’s 46,000 square miles imploring us to vote for them. With Election Day past, the nation’s eyes are cast upon a handful of states to add up the remaining mail-in ballots. To think that the fate of the nation – and the world, for that matter – depends on the few, the Pennsylvanians, especially in my corner of the state, Philadelphia. If the former vice president takes Pennsylvania by one vote, and with it the election, I’m taking full credit. Doubtful, of course. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA

The morning after the election

Although members of the local San Diego County Jewish community lost more races than they won, the San Diego Jewish  community can take pride in Jews serving at nearly every level of government. Sara Jacobs, for example, will replace the retiring Susan Davis, a fellow Democrat, on San Diego County’s congressional delegation. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Malawi to become first African nation to open Israel embassy in Jerusalem

Malawi is to become the first African country to follow the US example and open an embassy to Israel in the disputed city of Jerusalem, their foreign ministers announced on Tuesday.”I’m sure that more African leaders will follow this decision,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi told reporters after a meeting with his Malawian counterpart Eisenhower

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International, Middle East, USA

4 of 10 local Jewish candidates appear victorious

Early returns in local races in San Diego indicated Tuesday night that among 10 Jewish candidates, 4 were successful and 6 were unsuccessful.

Apparent winners with 58.4 percent of all ballots counted showed Sara Jacobs winning handily in the 53rd Congressional District; Bernie Rhinerson easily winning reelection to the San Diego Community College Board; Terra Lawson-Remer defeating Republican incumbent  Kristin Gaspar in the 3rd County Supervisorial District, and  Sean Elo-Rivera defeating Kelvin Barrios for the 9th District San Diego City Council seat.  All these winners are Democrats. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Kamala Harris’ Ancestral Village In India Holds 4-Hour Prayer For Her Victory

More than 8,600 miles from the White House, a small village in India has been fervently praying for the success of U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.Thulasendrapuram, the senator’s ancestral home town, has been filled with boards and banners in honor of Harris, wishing her well in the election. The town also organized a four-hour

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International, USA

Coronavirus battles in Israel, election showdown in U.S.

Politics here and there. Lots of it, but in different contexts.
Here in Israel it focuses on what is said to be a significant drop in new infections, and what should be open in response. The reality is some doubt about the widely publicized figures, insofar as many of the Haredim are still avoiding the general rules about congregating, and not having themselves tested for the disease. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

An appeal for unity during a divisive election

Tomorrow night, G-d willing, we will have a pretty clear idea of who the next President of the United States is going to be. Besides for Jewish mothers this is by far the most powerful person on earth. That’s just the fact. Republican or Democrat or Independent, Trump supporter or Biden supporter, Progressive or Liberal or Conservative – all must be treated with R.E.S.P.E.C.T. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Final Polls Roundup

Final Presidential and other election polling is now coming in. Various analysts and pollsters are (gingerly) predicting various outcomes: from some who suggest Donald Trump may do better than many think to Democratic strategist James Carville who predicts a Joe Biden victory will be known by 10 p.m. EST election night.))The USC poll, which has

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USA

Florida principal fired for second time over Holocaust remarks

The Florida principal who made controversial remarks about the Holocaust has been fired for a second time.The Palm Beach County School Board voted unanimously to rescind an Oct. 7 vote to rehire William Latson, former principal at Spanish River High in Boca Raton.The earlier 4-3 vote was based on the ruling of an administrative law judge that Latson was improperly fired in 2019, but Chairman Frank Barbieri called for a new vote, saying School Board members may not have realized the judge’s decision was a recommendation. [South Florida Sun Sentinel]

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International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Acceptance for Jews by choice

As a young professional transplant and traveler who has lived in various cities, I am constantly on the lookout for new connections and friends. Passionate about all flavors of my Judaism, I often seek out Jewish groups of various denominations. In that exploration, I have come across a sad realization, which is this—in more Orthodox settings, not everyone is treated the same. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me when visiting a new synagogue the very awkward question of “are you Jewish?” or worse “is your mother Jewish?” While I am fortunate to have been raised in a Conservative home and pass the proverbial test, I do sympathize with those who do not. If someone has decided to hold fast to HaShem, what should it matter who their parents were? [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, USA

Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry

This year’s Tapestry, sponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s  JLearn, promises to be more diverse, exciting and interesting than ever before. Experts have been tapped from all over the world to contribute to this extraordinary Jewish Learning event.

The first session, the keynote address on Saturday evening, November 7,  at 7:30 p.m.,  will feature David Meltzer, named one of Forbes’ 10 best Motivational Speakers. Meltzer will discuss how to “Stabilize Your Mindset and Stay Grounded. Focus on Your Core Values Through a Jewish Lens. “ [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Minyan of Jewish candidates on S.D. County ballots

We do not know the names of every member of our Jewish community who is running for a public office in San Diego County. While we are aware of those running for major offices at the federal, state, county, and San Diego city, community college and school board levels, we are unfamiliar with those who might be running in outlying cities or for the other school boards and special districts throughout our region.
So, what follows is not a comprehensive list, nor is it an indication of San Diego Jewish World’s endorsements. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish trivia quiz: Joe Biden, Jr.

Speaking in 2013, Joe Biden said of the Jewish people, “You make up 11 percent of the seats in the United States Congress. You make up one-third of all Nobel laureates. So many notions that are embraced by this nation that particularly emanate from over 5,000 years of Jewish history, tradition and culture: independence, individualism, fairness, decency, justice, charity.” He concluded by saying what? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA