International

One suspect at large, three people dead after Vienna terrorist attack

At least one suspect is still at large following a terrorist attack on central Vienna late Monday in which two civilians and one attacker were killed, Austrian authorities said.”This is the hardest day Austria has seen for many years,” Interior Minister Karl Nehammer told reporters in the early hours of Tuesday, as he urged people […]

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International

Coronavirus battles in Israel, election showdown in U.S.

Politics here and there. Lots of it, but in different contexts.
Here in Israel it focuses on what is said to be a significant drop in new infections, and what should be open in response. The reality is some doubt about the widely publicized figures, insofar as many of the Haredim are still avoiding the general rules about congregating, and not having themselves tested for the disease. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA

An appeal for unity during a divisive election

Tomorrow night, G-d willing, we will have a pretty clear idea of who the next President of the United States is going to be. Besides for Jewish mothers this is by far the most powerful person on earth. That’s just the fact. Republican or Democrat or Independent, Trump supporter or Biden supporter, Progressive or Liberal or Conservative – all must be treated with R.E.S.P.E.C.T. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Final Polls Roundup

Final Presidential and other election polling is now coming in. Various analysts and pollsters are (gingerly) predicting various outcomes: from some who suggest Donald Trump may do better than many think to Democratic strategist James Carville who predicts a Joe Biden victory will be known by 10 p.m. EST election night.))The USC poll, which has

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USA

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-POLITICS- Dominican Republic considers relocating embassy to Jerusalem

The Government of the Dominican Republic has announced that consideration is being given to relocating its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.Roberto AlvarezThe country’s Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, made this disclosure during a recent phone conversation with his counterpart in Israel, Gabi Ashkenazi .“I congratulate the FM of the Dominican Republic, @RobalsdqAlvarez on

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International, Middle East

Florida principal fired for second time over Holocaust remarks

The Florida principal who made controversial remarks about the Holocaust has been fired for a second time.The Palm Beach County School Board voted unanimously to rescind an Oct. 7 vote to rehire William Latson, former principal at Spanish River High in Boca Raton.The earlier 4-3 vote was based on the ruling of an administrative law judge that Latson was improperly fired in 2019, but Chairman Frank Barbieri called for a new vote, saying School Board members may not have realized the judge’s decision was a recommendation. [South Florida Sun Sentinel]

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International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Acceptance for Jews by choice

As a young professional transplant and traveler who has lived in various cities, I am constantly on the lookout for new connections and friends. Passionate about all flavors of my Judaism, I often seek out Jewish groups of various denominations. In that exploration, I have come across a sad realization, which is this—in more Orthodox settings, not everyone is treated the same. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me when visiting a new synagogue the very awkward question of “are you Jewish?” or worse “is your mother Jewish?” While I am fortunate to have been raised in a Conservative home and pass the proverbial test, I do sympathize with those who do not. If someone has decided to hold fast to HaShem, what should it matter who their parents were? [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, USA

Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry

This year’s Tapestry, sponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s  JLearn, promises to be more diverse, exciting and interesting than ever before. Experts have been tapped from all over the world to contribute to this extraordinary Jewish Learning event.

The first session, the keynote address on Saturday evening, November 7,  at 7:30 p.m.,  will feature David Meltzer, named one of Forbes’ 10 best Motivational Speakers. Meltzer will discuss how to “Stabilize Your Mindset and Stay Grounded. Focus on Your Core Values Through a Jewish Lens. “ [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Minyan of Jewish candidates on S.D. County ballots

We do not know the names of every member of our Jewish community who is running for a public office in San Diego County. While we are aware of those running for major offices at the federal, state, county, and San Diego city, community college and school board levels, we are unfamiliar with those who might be running in outlying cities or for the other school boards and special districts throughout our region.
So, what follows is not a comprehensive list, nor is it an indication of San Diego Jewish World’s endorsements. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish trivia quiz: Joe Biden, Jr.

Speaking in 2013, Joe Biden said of the Jewish people, “You make up 11 percent of the seats in the United States Congress. You make up one-third of all Nobel laureates. So many notions that are embraced by this nation that particularly emanate from over 5,000 years of Jewish history, tradition and culture: independence, individualism, fairness, decency, justice, charity.” He concluded by saying what? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Love each other as if your life depends upon it

PETACH TIKVAH, Israel — Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of the United Kingdom, recently told the National Security Strategy Committee in London that “it’s unlikely we will end up with a truly sterilizing vaccine, something that completely stops infection.”As daunting as this estimate is, chances are that Vallance is underestimating the impact of the virus. The more likely scenario is that the virus will spread from humans to the animal kingdom, to plants, and from there back to people. It will be impossible to defeat it using regular methods. Our only option is to revolutionize our way of life. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

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International, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share

An induction into the Order of the Arrow

The third year at camp, since I was the oldest and most experienced scout, by default became the leader of our troop. In a secret ballot we voted to elect anyone we thought worthy to become a member of the Order of the Arrow. This is a coveted honor service society that recently had its 100-year anniversary. Its lore is based on an enchanting heroic Indian story. [Ira Spector]

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Lifestyles, USA

For Bat Mitzvah, she traveled to Israel virtually

Sarah Golembsky and her family hoped to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with a trip to Israel, but like many other B’nai Mitzvah, the pandemic made it impossible for her celebration to go as planned. She had to get creative. Sara and her family didn’t want to miss out on the Israel experience, so they did the next best thing: a live tour to Jerusalem and the Kotel through StandWithUs Discover. Virtual tours of Israel are one of the many educational opportunities offered to B’nai Mitzvah as part of a new StandWithUs B’nai Mitzvah Project initiative. [StandWithUs]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Why some American Muslims are choosing to vote Republican in the 2020 US election

Why would Muslims continue to vote Republican? It’s a question that has puzzled pollsters for years.For the majority of Muslim-American voters, the Republican Party – which led the war in Iraq, instituted the Muslim travel ban, and relocated the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem – does not represent them.However, a growing and significant minority

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Middle East, USA