International

Hamas Releases Video of U.S.-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander

Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli born, U.S.-raised hostage held by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023, was shown Saturday on a Hamas-released video scolding Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly neglecting the hostages. He said in Hebrew, “Do not neglect us.  We want to return home.  Far and isolation is killing us.  Do not forget us.”  [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israelis, Jewish Americans Comment on Israel’s Ceasefire with Lebanon

Israel’s Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, the IDF’s chief of staff, says if Hezbollah violates terms of the ceasefire, “any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire.  We are now moving toward a new phase, where the same determination that brought us to this agreement will be applied to enforcement.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews Divide Along Denominational Lines over Thanksgiving Celebrations

“When can we eat?” Not only do we hear this as we gather for Passover, but I am sure this question was asked in many homes on Thanksgiving. It is always the debate. Do you serve Thanksgiving lunch, something between noon and 6 p.m., or serve as the sun sets for dinner? [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

World War II’s Impact on German Civilians Told in Biography of Heidi Posnien

This, as the title suggests, is the story of Heidi, a little Catholic girl born in 1936 who grew up in Berlin and the nearby countryside during the Hitler regime that culminated in Germany’s utter defeat in World War II.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: What I’m Politically Thankful For

My son asked me what I’m thankful for this year. I gave the standard answer: my creature comforts, dog, family, friends, health, and house. Then he queried if I was grateful that Trump was elected president. I struggled to find some reasons I hadn’t abandoned all my hope for the future. Here’s what I came up with. {Laurie Baron]

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Lawrence Baron, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Bill Introduced to End Federal Funding to Universities that Support BDS

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) and Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina) on Tuesday introduced a bill requiring a cut-off of federal funds to any institution of higher education that engages in a commercial boycott of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A Handbook for Social and Political Action

This is a handbook for social and political activism, written by a medical doctor who has spent his life engaged in protests, demonstrations, and movements for change. Whether you agree with his positions on a variety of issues, or disagree, reading this book may be enlightening. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Ceasefire Agreement is an American-Imposed Mirage

A fata morgana is a rare optical phenomenon in the atmosphere, consisting of several forms of mirages, in which distant objects are seen repeatedly and with a variety of distortions. Fairy Morgana is an enchantress, a half-sister to King Arthur. The American administration has made great efforts to organize a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which means creating a new mirage, another fata morgana, an illusion of peace. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Chaim Weizmann

Courtesy of Wikipedia Chaim Weizmann (November 27, 1874 –  November 9, 1952) was a Russian-born Israeli statesman, biochemist, and Zionist leader who served as president of the Zionist Organization and later as the first president of Israel. He was elected on 16 February 1949, and served until he died in 1952. Weizmann was instrumental in obtaining the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and convincing the

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

The Jewish Citizen: Israel and Hezbollah Agree to a Ceasefire

Israel’s Security Cabinet on Tuesday approved “in principle” a ceasefire with Lebanon, requiring Hezbollah forces to move north of the Litani River, about 18 miles from Israel’s border, while Israel would withdraw its forces to south of the border.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Senator Jon Ossoff Has Just Put His Reelection in Jeopardy

Advocates for the Palestinians, especially in battleground state Michigan, predicted their faction would vote for neither Trump nor Harris to punish Democrats on grounds that President Biden did too little to restrain Israel’s military response to Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas slaughtered 1,200 Israelis. Another faction that was expected to undermine Harris were racial minorities who accused Democrats of taking their votes for granted. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Shlomo Artzi

Courtesy of Wikipedia Shlomo Artzi (November 26, 1949) is an Israeli folk rock musician, composer, music producer, radio host and singer-songwriter. He is one of the most popular and successful musicians in Israel. Shlomo Artzi was born on Moshav Alonei Abba. Artzi’s parents were Holocaust survivors and their memories deeply influenced him and his sister Nava Semel, a playwright. His

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International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

OpEd: Ghahremani’s Execution Underscores Iran’s Persecution of Jews

The story of Arvin Nathaniel Ghahremani is a haunting reminder of the challenges faced by Jews in Iran. In 2022, at the age of 18, Ghahremani found himself in a violent altercation that would ultimately cost him his life, not because of justice, but because of systemic prejudice.  [Miriam Gershenson]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors