USA

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein Sends ‘Open Letter’ to Vice President JD Vance

I appreciate you stating clearly in a recent interview that antisemitism has no place in your political movement. However, the notion that our concerns about this bigotry on the right are “overstated by people who want to avoid having a foreign policy conversation about Israel” does not align with facts. [Roz Rothstein, StandWithUs]

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein Sends ‘Open Letter’ to Vice President JD Vance Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl: Thoughts on a Drive Back to San Diego

Provisioned with a variety of tamales, bañuelos (crispy-thin dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, a typical Mexican holiday dessert, muy delicioso!), and my father-in-law’s “famous rum cake,” my family and I are heading back to “somewhat sunny” San Diego from El Paso. (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Political Briefing, Dec. 24, 2025: Five Senators Object to Stiffer Fees for Non-U.S. Residents to Visit National Parks and Monuments

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and four other Western States senators are calling on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to delay the scheduled Jan. 1 imposition of new fees for non-U.S. residents to visit national parks and monuments, including the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing, Dec. 24, 2025: Five Senators Object to Stiffer Fees for Non-U.S. Residents to Visit National Parks and Monuments Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

An Emotional Tour of the El Paso Holocaust Museum

The museum began as a one-room display inside the El Paso Jewish Community Center, featuring a small collection of books, posters, and personal memorabilia. Today, the El Paso Holocaust Museum encompasses more than 4,000 square feet of permanent exhibition space. It is one of only 13 free-standing Holocaust museums in the United States and one of just two presented in a fully bilingual format. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Book Traces History and Humor of Jews and Christmas

Many Jewish fathers and mothers take their children to sit on Santa Claus’s lap—just like the author Rabbi Joshua Eli Plaut did, when he was only seven years old. I laughed at the picture because I remember my father, Leo Israel Samuel—a Holocaust survivor from Auschwitz—did the same for me when I was about the same age [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Book Traces History and Humor of Jews and Christmas Read More »

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

Jewish Political Briefing:  Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Marks said “The Rally for Light today on the final day of Hanukkah is our community’s response—showing that even in moments of darkness, San Diego chooses unity, courage, and light over hate. By coming together, we are committing to carry this light beyond the holiday and to stand unwaveringly against anti-Semitism and all hate. When we stand together, light wins.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing:  Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

El Paso Lights Up Ceremonial Star in Celebration of Hanukkah

As we made it past the Franklin Mountains above the University of Texas at El Paso, there was an illuminated star on the mountainside. I don’t remember the star having been lit as blue prior to this occasion. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

Ministers in Israel’s government approved a bill establishing a commission of inquiry into the events leading up to the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre, according to The Times of Israel.  Israel’s Attorney General Gali Baharav Miara said the legislation, scheduled for a Knesset vote on Wednesday, Dec. 24, “politicizes the commission …” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 22, 2025 Read More »

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

OpEd: Lighting Candles While the World Burns

In Australia, a place many of us instinctively associate with openness and safety, violence shattered that illusion. Another attack. Another reminder that antisemitism is not a relic of history but a living, mutating force, one that resurfaces whenever fear is rewarded and lies go unchallenged. [Shahar Masori]

OpEd: Lighting Candles While the World Burns Read More »

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

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 20, 2025

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss with U.S. President Donald Trump the danger posed by Iran’s ballistic missile and renewed nuclear programs. At the two leaders’ upcoming meeting at the end of this month, Netanyahu will suggest joint action to eliminate the threat, according to a story in The Times of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 20, 2025 Read More »

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

OpEd: The Light We Build Ourselves

[O]ver half of American Jews report feeling worried about their personal safety. Perhaps most chilling: 14 percent have developed plans to flee the country if antisemitism continues to worsen. The incidents pile up. The data paints the picture. The isolation intensifies. And unfortunately, Jewish history means this moment feels both urgent and familiar. [Jonathan Greenblatt]

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Antisemitism, International, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing:  Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Australia’s Prime Minister attended a ceremony in Sydney’s Great Synagogue memorializing the 15 people slain in the attack on the first night of Chanukah.  All 15 have now been identified as Matilda, 10, and adults Edith Brutman, Dan Elkayam, Boris Gutman, Sofia Gurman, Alex Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Peter Meagher, Reuven Morrison, Marika Pogany, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Adam Smyth, Tania Tretiak, Boris Tetleroyd, and Tibor Weitzen. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing:  Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 Read More »

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