A recent article (by Elaine Samuels, on Facebook and in the Israel Telegraph online) recounted the trials and tribulations she experienced in her efforts to learn and speak Hebrew. This triggered long-dormant memories of my attempt to learn Hebrew. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
An Immigrant’s Struggle to Learn Hebrew Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
While a peace accord was reached in February 2020 to end civil war in South Sudan, the agreement remains extremely fragile and needs international support to hold together. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
‘Never Again’ Seems To Never Apply Anymore Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, USA
Radical Loving: One God, One World, One People, written by Rabbi Wayne Dosick, begins with the statement, “What an incredible time it is to be alive!” Immediately the reader is asked to question the author’s opinion “Is it really?” We turn the page and so begins an anecdote of a village of rice growers and how wonderful their lives are. Then in an instant, a terrible storm causes a flood that completely destroys their village and their food supply of rice fields. Thanks to one of the village elders, the people were warned ahead of time and were able to escape to higher elevation and were saved. The anecdote ends of course with a message: “The village and the fields can rise up again. And the villagers can forever tell the tale.” Rabbi Dosick is calling on the world to band together and to not forget that we are “One World, One People” and stronger together. We the readers are the villagers and as my Aunt Nancy has told me, my generation and the next,will be retelling our tale of the 2020 pandemic to our grandchildren for years to come. [Heather Z. Rothstain]
Rabbi Dosick provides advice on ‘Radical Loving’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food, USA
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa lost control. That happened In November 2017 during his senior year at Arvada West High School. On March 22, he would once again lose control, this time in a Boulder supermarket. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Colorado Shooting Suspect Has History of Mental Instability Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USA
They only number about 0.7% of the general population of the United States, and yet they are everywhere. Maybe you’ve noticed them. Something about that woman on the bus seemed a little off. Maybe that young man’s voice in the market seemed curiously high. Or maybe they sat right next to you in shul, or across the dinner table, suffering in silence, and you had no idea. [Eric George Tauber]
Being Seen on Trans Day of Visibility Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Jewish Religion, USA
Elsewhere in today’s report on San Diego Jewish World is a story from the Anti-Defamation League reporting that nearly two-thirds of American Jews, based on a survey, have experienced or heard some form of antisemitism in the last five years. On our television screens, meanwhile, is the ongoing trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd – a case study in White violence against Black people. And, in the San Diego Union-Tribune this morning was a story from New York City about an unprovoked attack on an Asian-American woman which other people witnessed without intervening. [Donald H. Harrison]
Addressing hate and division in our society Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Well over half of Jewish Americans have either experienced or directly witnessed some form of antisemitic incident in the last five years, according to a new poll released by ADL (Anti-Defamation League). The 2021 poll found that 63 percent of respondents have either experienced or heard antisemitic comments, slurs or threats targeting others, an increase from 54 percent a year earlier. [ADL press release]
Nearly 2/3rds of U.S. Jews have felt antisemitism Read More »
USA
By Alex Joffe, Ph.D NEW YORK — BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activities in March reflected both its use as an individual instrument and as a political wedge issue. Cornell West’s allegation that he was denied tenure at Harvard over his support for BDS appears to be an individual effort to profit from BDS support.
The fights for and against BDS Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
In the March 30, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israelis were able to celebrate Passover again with their families and friends.
–On World Water Day a JNF video shows desert city Beersheva is now a water city.
–Three Israeli nanosatellites have been launched into a synchronized orbit.
–Israel is developing the world’s smartest microprocessors.
–Two more Israeli companies have become worth more than $1 billion.
–Israel’s Linoy Ashram won two world medals in rhythmic gymnastics.
–Israel broke two matzah world records without breaking a single matzah. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 30, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Amid increasing concerns about the role of social media in spreading bigotry, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) on Monday, March 29, announced new legislation that “will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the role of social media platforms in amplifying extreme and dangerous content and driving severe political polarization.” [Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel press release]
Legislator seeks to control social media’s impact on hate Read More »
USA
I’m so proud of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Cabinet Secretaries Alejandro Mayorkas and Xavier Becerra, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, our city’s Mayor Todd Gloria, the folks at Jewish Family Service, and San Diego Jewish World’s own contributor Mimi Pollack. [Donald H. Harrison]
Proud of the U.S. and local response to migrant children Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, USA
Those firmly supporting Benjamin Netanyhu are Likud, SHAS, United Torah Judaism, and Religious Zionists, for a total of 52 Seats Those clearly in the anti-Bibi list are Lapid, Blue White, Israel Beiteinu, Labor, New Hope, Joint Arab List, and Meretz, for a total of 57 Seats Between them are Yamina and the Separate Arab List, so far undecided, with 11 Seats [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Israeli Election Analysis at the Seder Table Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East
To promote mental health awareness, the Behavioral Health Committee of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is hosting a virtual event on Thursday, April 29 keynoted by fashion icon, author and mental health advocate Tim Gunn. [Jewish Family Service news release]
Tim Gunn, Project Runway Co-Host, to Speak at JFS Health Event Read More »
San Diego County, USA
Tuvia Tenenbom is an expat Israeli who has lived in Germany and elsewhere for many decades, working as a journalist and author. Holding many academic degrees, Tenenbom is also a playwright, essayist, and the founding artistic director of the Jewish Theater of New York. Tenenbom has a very idiosyncratic style. His sardonic personality goes well with his cherubic appearance, and the reader is soon caught up in Tenenbom’s droll reporting of mundane encounters with people all around the world. His latest book, The Taming of the Jew, features people from Ireland and Britain. The thing is, most of those interviewed either know almost nothing about what they are saying, or are consciously spreading vicious, false narratives [Steve Kramer]
Book Review: ‘The Taming of the Jew’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Middle East, Steve Kramer