Israel

Sha’ar HaNegev and San Diego Crossing a Metaphoric Bridge Together

This journey was part of a program created nearly five years ago by the San Diego Jewish Federation to strengthen our nearly 25-year relationship with our sister region in Israel, Sha’ar HaNegev. Federation’s CEO, Heidi Gantwerk, had the vision to ensure this sacred partnership wasn’t held by Federation alone, but shared and nurtured across all our Jewish organizations. Out of that vision, the Gesher Project, “gesher” meaning bridge in Hebrew, was born. [Betzy Lynch]

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Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

A Tour of the Machpelah and the Jewish Section of Hebron

Today the tomb is divided between Jewish and Muslim sectors and is used as a place of worship and gatherings. Inside the Jewish areas are six large memorial markers for the three couples (patriarchs and matriarchs) buried far below. It has special opening hours. “Isaac’s Hall” is normally reserved for Muslim prayer but ten days a year, on Jewish special holidays, it’s reserved for Jewish worship. Wherever there is enough space, there are worshippers saying prayers. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

130,000 Promise Half Their Estates to Jewish Causes, Israel

The Jewish Future Promise (JFP), a global movement inspiring Jews and allies to commit at least 50% of their charitable giving in their estate plans to Jewish causes or the State of Israel, on Friday announced its 130,000th signer: Professor Jack Wertheimer, one of the foremost scholars of American Jewish life. [Press Release]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Halakhah Challenged by Space Travel, Documentary Explains

Before Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the Moon on July 21, 1969, Jewish religious authorities were debating whether Jews were permitted to go to space. Naysayers cited Psalms 115:16 which is rendered by the Stone edition of the Tanach: “As for the heavens, the heavens are Hashem’s, but the earth He has given to mankind.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Two Years Since Oct. 7 Massacre to Be Commemorated Oct. 9

Jewish Federation of San Diego, together with the Lawrence Family JCC and the Israeli American Council, will present an evening of remembrance and resilience marking two years since the October 7 attacks on 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9 at The Sound at Del Mar Fairgrounds. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Survey: Fellow Faculty, Staff Ostracizing Many Jewish Professors

In the survey, Jewish-identifying faculty reported facing targeted boycott, smear, and doxxing campaigns from fellow faculty, administrators, or staff on campus. The respondents noted that these antisemitic actions often came with serious professional consequences, both on campus and within professional academic organizations. [Press Release]

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

OpEd: Mamdani’s Anti-Israel Rhetoric May Alienate New York’s Jewish Voters

A Mayor Mamdani who crosses Jewish New Yorkers or any other ethnic group will make it all that harder to achieve his reforms, which are wrapped together under a package he dubs “affordability.” That is a fundamental need. Any citizen should be able to afford rent, food, health whether they live in New York City or Dayton, Ohio. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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

Ki Tavo: The Value of Remembering History

Jews are not the only humans who recognize the importance of remembering the past.  Many ancient wise people recognized the role of history as a guide, its ability to illuminate, the responsibility to remember, and the consequences of forgetting history. Cecero advised us, “To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born will keep you always as a child.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israeli Violinist Asi Matathias to Give Recital Sept. 11 at the JCC

The native Israeli has traveled the globe performing to great acclaim. The Beijing Music Weekly wrote, “his audience was enraptured;” the Kolner Stadt Anzeiger reported that he “created magic with an immense richness of sound and color;” and Ha’aretz called his performance, “wonderous playing.” [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Protesters Fail to Mar Expressions of Christian and Jewish Support for Israel

One attendee, who asked to remain anonymous, described a disturbing encounter in which protestors blocked her car and even jumped onto the hood, clinging on until eventually tumbling off. By the end of the program, police presence around the property was heightened, with patrol cars and a helicopter circling above. Despite this, the event itself was marked by unity, inspiration, and resilience. (Miriam Gershenson)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA