International

Opinion: Democracy is not a spectator sport

Democracy isn’t a spectator sport, and we must get in the arena and use the tools of our democracy to defend it. The most meaningful action we can take is in the midterm elections. We must ensure Democrats take back control of Congress so they can restore checks and balances and provide oversight on the Executive Branch, given the GOP’s abdication of its authority and acquiescence to Trump. In the meantime, there are additional steps we can take to stand up, speak out, and advocate for our values. The most important thing is to not tune out and accept or normalize Trump’s trampling of our democratic norms and institutions. [Halie Soifer]

Opinion: Democracy is not a spectator sport Read More »

Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

[Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey] later issued a written statement, “The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city and making our community less safe. We are demanding that ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 Read More »

Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Wikipedia

Slutsky, Shemer poems to be featured at the Lawrence Family JCC Feb. 13

Itshe Slutsky (1912-1944), will be one of the two featured poets at the 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, “Jewish Poets of the Past” program in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC. [Eileen Wingard]

Slutsky, Shemer poems to be featured at the Lawrence Family JCC Feb. 13 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

When trust is eroded, nations eventually will fail

Historians have long observed a pattern that repeats with uncomfortable consistency, most empires begin to fail somewhere between 200 and 300 years after their founding. Rome. Spain. Britain. Not because history is scripted, but because trust erodes, between leaders and citizens, between institutions and truth, between power, responsibility, and accountability. [Shahar Masori]

When trust is eroded, nations eventually will fail Read More »

International, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum: “We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: intervention has never brought democracy, never generated well-being, nor lasting stability.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

NY Democrats engage in a showdown over Israel

Democrats have already been influenced by members of Congress who repeatedly bash Israel. Critics have legitimate concerns about Israel, but for a bloc in Congress Israel can do nothing right. Their approach to the war between Israel and Hamas is one-sided, and the more evenhanded Democrats have been walking on eggshells around them. [Bruce S. Ticker]

NY Democrats engage in a showdown over Israel Read More »

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

‘Emma’ and ‘Noah’ most popular names for newborns in San Diego County

The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office has released the top 10 baby names for 2025, based on birth records filed throughout San Diego County. The list reflects both enduring favorites and the county’s rich cultural diversity, highlighting the names parents most often chose for their newborns last year. [Cailin Acosta]

‘Emma’ and ‘Noah’ most popular names for newborns in San Diego County Read More »

Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Jews in the News: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

US President Donald Trump covets Greenland for the sake of U.S. national security and for control of Greenland’s natural resources. Stephen Miller, deputy white House chief of staff, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday that “Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland … It wouldn’t be military action against Greenland. Greenland has a population of 30,000 people, Jake.  The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the News: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israel adds inexpensive ‘Iron Beam’ to its defense array

The Iron Beam offers low-cost laser interception of drones, rockets, and missiles, while reducing reliance on costly interceptors. Whereas the Iron Dome defense cost is about $50,000 per successful interception, the Iron Beam cost per interception is negligible. (Nevertheless, the Iron Dome will remain an important weapon in Israel’s arsenal.) [Steve Kramer]

Israel adds inexpensive ‘Iron Beam’ to its defense array Read More »

Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer

Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded innocent in the New York federal court of Judge Alvin Hellerstein to charges of drug and arms trafficking.  Attorney Barry Pollack represented Maduro at the arraignment.  The next court date was set for March 17. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Heschel as interpreted by an ex-con turned rabbi

Imagine opening a book that doesn’t just sit on your shelf gathering dust—it walks with you through the chaos of everyday life, whispering (and sometimes shouting) that holiness isn’t reserved for mountaintops or monasteries. It’s right here, in the messy, miraculous grind of being human. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Rabbi Heschel as interpreted by an ex-con turned rabbi Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Politics in Israel have devolved into ‘Netanyahu, for or against him?’

The word “demonization” has earned a place in political science dictionaries. Unfavorable politicians and country leaders are demonized. The troubles and failures that have befallen countries are attributed to one person, the head of state or the head of government. [Alex Gordon]

Politics in Israel have devolved into ‘Netanyahu, for or against him?’ Read More »

Alex Gordon, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish political briefing: Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026

The Times of Israel translated Rodríguez’s quotes this way: “The governments of the world are simply shocked that it is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which is the victim and subject of an attack of this nature, which has, without a doubt, a Zionist tint.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish political briefing: Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

What’s going on? Our children want to know!

I wrote following the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, our kids are watching, and current events transpire more quickly than we can sufficiently explain them to our children. In this case, having seen images of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela on television, my tween boys concluded it’s like “Conquer the World,” which is a game on Roblox. [Halie Soifer]

What’s going on? Our children want to know! Read More »

International, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA