International

Debunking the Jewish Faculty Network

The Jewish Faculty Network (JFN), is comprised of some 140 Canadian academics who last March published a statement in which they decried the IRHA definition, suggesting at that time that, “as Jews,” they wished to “add our voices to a growing international movement of Jewish scholars to insist that university policies to combat antisemitism are not used to stifle legitimate criticisms of the Israeli state, or the right to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.” [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

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Middle East, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Trump in foul-mouthed tirade on old ally Netanyahu: report

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – Former US president Donald Trump spat an expletive about his old ally, Israel’s ex-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for congratulating Joe Biden on his victory in last year’s election, according to a new book. Trump lashed out in an interview for a book on US-Israel relations during his presidency, author

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Middle East

Baer Leaves Camp Mountain Chai for Camp Seneca Lake

Dan Baer, who has served as director of Camp Mountain Chai over the last six years, has announced his resignation to take a job as director of Camp Seneca Lake in Rochester, New York. Rachel Shyloski, the associate camp director, will serve as interim director pending a search to fill out the camp team, it was announced Thursday, Dec. 9, by David Bark, the board president, and Buddy Voit, executive director. [Camp Mountain Chai]

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San Diego County, USA

Israeli foreign minister in Egypt for talks on Gaza, diplomatic ties

Published by DPA Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid arrived in Egypt on Thursday to discuss boosting ties between the two countries with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, as well as reviewing a months-long ceasefire in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, officials said. Egypt, which became the first Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel, in 1979,

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Middle East

Democrat Max Rose Eyeing Comeback In NYC’s Only Conservative Congressional District

Published by uPolitics.com Former United States Rep. Max Rose (D-New York) announced that he will challenge incumbent Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York) in next year’s midterm election, setting up an ideological showdown in a rare conservative New York City congressional district that includes the southwestern tip of Brooklyn as well as all of Staten Island,

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USA

Exclusive-As diplomacy stutters, U.S., Israel to discuss military drills for Iran scenario -U.S. official

Published by Reuters By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. and Israeli defense chiefs are expected on Thursday to discuss possible military exercises that would prepare for a worst-case scenario to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities should diplomacy fail and if their nations’ leaders request it, a senior U.S. official told Reuters. The scheduled U.S. talks

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Middle East

Chula Vista Eye Doctor Invents App for the Color Blind

Dr. Robert Penner, 91, has done a lot of things in his life. He was an ophthalmologist with a private practice in Chula Vista; a colonel in the Army Reserve; president of the San Diego County Medical Society and of the San Diego County Eye Bank; and chairman of the San Diego Port Commission, among other distinctions. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

U.S. Supreme Court conservatives lean toward more public dollars for religious schools

Published by Reuters By Andrew Chung (Reuters) – Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices on Wednesday appeared ready to further expand public funding of religiously based entities, indicating sympathy toward a challenge by two Christian families to a Maine tuition assistance program that excludes private schools that promote religious beliefs. The court heard nearly two hours

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USA

ADL: Anti-Israel Groups on College Campuses Harassing Jewish Students

During the 2020-21 academic year, a vocal segment of the anti-Israel groups and activists on campus continued to engage in rhetoric that often demeaned or ostracized many pro-Israel Jewish students. At times, antisemitic tropes were invoked. This became a flashpoint during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, according to ADL’s (Anti-Defamation League) annual assessment of anti-Israel actions on campus. {Anti-Defamation League]

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Richard Lerner, who led Scripps Research to greatness, dies at 83

Richard Lerner, the masterful biochemist who guided Scripps Research on its way to becoming an elite center for biomedical science and helped develop Humira, the highest-selling therapeutic drug in the world last year, died on Dec. 2. He was 83. The private, nonprofit institute told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Lerner died of cancer at his home in La Jolla. [San Diego Union-Tribne]

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Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Omar Should Point at Herself When She Denounces Hostile Rhetoric

Says U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, “Words can cause violence.” The Minneapolis Democrat was referring to the words of Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents much of western and southern Colorado. Omar could have been referring to her own words – words like “the evil doings of Israel,” “the apartheid Israeli regime” and “all about the Benjamins” in reference to pro-Israel lobbying. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

StandWithUs Gala Attracts 400+ Israel Supporters

The show was sold out and had a waiting list.  More than 400 Israel supporters of all ages, faiths and political persuasions joined StandWithUs as it celebrated its 20th year anniversary at its annual “Festival of Lights” gala, on Sunday,  December 5. Held at the spacious Wilshire Ebell Social Club and Theater, guests showed proof of vaccination or negative COVID tests, were able to eat outside or inside, and wore masks inside the theater.  The 2020 gala was held virtually to international audiences of tens of thousands.  The 2021 event was also live-streamed, reaching thousands more during and after the show.  [StandWithUs]

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Middle East, USA

Israel hosts regional allies Greece and Cyprus for Jerusalem summit

Published by DPA Israel welcomed Greek and Cypriot leaders to Tel Aviv on Tuesday for a trilateral summit with its regional allies. “We’re strengthening our relationships with our friends, on all levels,” said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, appearing at a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

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International

‘There Are Jews Here’ Documents A Dwindling World

There are Jews here. This can be a simple statement of fact, but it is often phrased: There are Jews here?! Small towns are not where we usually expect to find Jewish communities. Such small town shtiebels are the subject of a documentary film, There Are Jews Here through America Reframed and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. [Eric George Tauber]

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Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA