This week, the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center proudly launches the 36th Annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival. [Betzy Lynch]
The heart’s pen and the mind’s messenger Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
With false statements such as California State Senator Scott Wiener’s that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, is it surprising that Alliance San Diego disinvited Rabbi Hanan Leberman to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.? [J. Barry Gurdin]
Opinion: Learning to Hate Yourself or Whence Cometh the Hate? Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, International, Israel, News Media, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
[H]ow ridiculous it was for Trump to smile in the photo of Maria Corina Machado gifting him her Nobel Peace Prize, a gesture which merits her receiving the Brownnose Award for Sycophancy to motivate him to install her as President of Venezuela. There are, however, awards Trump deserves … [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Awards Trump Deserves Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
I recently read Hostage, written by Eli Sharabi, who survived 491 days as a hostage in Hamas tunnels. This was the first published account by a released Israeli hostage and it appeared while the war raged on. A ceasefire was signed months later and Israel now controls 53% of Gaza. [Steve Kramer]
Eli Sharabi’s ‘Hostage’ recounts his will for survival Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
Britain’s Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis welcomed Parliament’s passage and the royal assent for a bill clearing the way to construct a Holocaust Memorial Center in Victoria Tower Gardens. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 Read More »
Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I am always so humbled and honored to be asked and trusted to carry such a sacred possession through the aisles as people kiss their siddurim (prayer books) or tallits (prayer shawls) and touch them to the Torah. [Cailin Acosta]
Feeling pride as I parade the Torah through my congregation Read More »
Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Including the U.S., 20 countries attended the signing ceremony: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026 Read More »
Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Our Global 100 Survey found that 46 percent of adults worldwide hold significant antisemitic beliefs—an estimated 2.2 billion people. That percentage is nearly double what we saw a decade ago. [Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL]
Opinion: Our why, our way forward Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
At the entrance to the park, a plaque carries the message Laurie and John wanted the world to know: this was created in memory of their brother, not for publicity, but for purpose. The fact that Paul had no children, the family writes, was “a deep sadness in his life”—one that Laurie and John are determined to transform into something meaningful. [Jacob Kamaras]
It’s sadly predictable that on this day of all days, we’re once again debating anti-choice bills on the House floor brought by MAGA Republicans — bills designed to make pregnancy more dangerous, more expensive, and more terrifying for millions. [Sara Jacobs]
This book explores the biographies of eight remarkable women who gave thousands of innocent children caught in the horrors of World War II a chance to live. They did not act for fame or glory, but simply because it was the right thing to do. [Cailin Acosta]
Female rescuers of children from the Holocaust profiled Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors
What sets Christian Zionism 101 apart is its vitality: short, punchy chapters, bold headings, scripture sidebars, and over 200 footnotes for depth. At 206 pages, it’s ideal for individuals, study groups, or newcomers. Early feedback, including Amazon’s 4.5-star average, praises its humble, bridge-building tone. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
10 Reasons for Christians to be Zionists Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Lisa Berman Hernandez, president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, shed some light on what led up to her congregation’s American-Israeli Rabbi Hanan Leberman being disinvited to deliver the benediction at an “All Peoples” breakfast on Monday honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the News: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA
The Rebbe replied: This plague was not darkness in the eyes alone. It was a deeper darkness—a numbness of the heart where no one cared for their neighbor. No one felt the pain of another. No one rose to help the hopeless or answer cries of despair. In that profound apathy, society descended into terrifying isolation. That is the terror of such darkness. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Parsha Bo: Awakening the heart amid modern darkness Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA