USA

Former U.S. Attorney Grossman Reflects on His Career

Former U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, who left office on August 4, recalls a High Holy Day service he attended that was held outside during the COVID pandemic. “I looked up to the roof and I could see armed guards,” he said during an interview on Thursday, Aug. 10. “It was just stunning to me how that could be happening at a time when you really want to be engaged in prayer and anything other than security.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

Tripwires in the Tree of Life Trial…Er, That’s Trials

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — It was a paradoxical week for American Jews, as much as it was historic. The sentencing of Tree of Life synagogue killer Robert Bowers raises disturbing questions about antisemitism’s link to mental illness, the deterrence value of the death penalty and the merits of hate-crime laws. What does Bowers’

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Bruce Ticker, Opinion, USA

Joey Landwehr Takes the Reins at the Center for Jewish Culture

For the last 17 years Joey Landwehr has served as the artistic director of the JCompany youth theatre.  Now, he’s been elevated to the position of artistic director of the San Diego Centre for Jewish Culture, of which JCompany is a part.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, The Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Despite Boycott, UCSD Prof. Plans Exchange Program with Tel Aviv University

UCSD Anthropology Professor Geoffrey Braswell says the decision last month by the American Anthropology Association (AAA) to boycott Israeli universities for their alleged support of “Israeli apartheid” will cause some American professors and students who engage in research with Israelis to feel stigmatized and ultimately may diminish, rather than elevate, the academic field of anthropology. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Middle School Remembers Jewish Astronaut Judith Resnik and Challenger Crew Mates

The seven astronauts reflected American diversity. They included Air Force Lt. Col. Dick Scobee, the spacecraft’s commander; Navy Cmdr. Michael J. Smith; electrical engineer Gregory Jarvis; physicist Ronald McNair, the second African-American in space; and these three “firsts”: Air Force Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuga, the first Japanese-American in space; Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space; and Judy Resnik, the first Jewish woman in space. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

World’s Largest Organized Jewish Youth Sports Event Continues with Opportunities for Inclusion, Volunteer Service

(Press Release) Following the historic JCC Maccabi Games in Israel, the world’s largest Jewish youth sports event continues with JCC Association of North America’s 41st JCC Maccabi Games® and Access events in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, August 6-11, hosted by the David Posnack JCC. The opening ceremony will kick off at the FLA Live Arena on Monday, August 7,

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International, Israel, Sports & Competitions, USA

StandWithUs IsraelLINK Middle School Curriculum and The Jewish Agency for Israel Partner on Program for ShinShinim

LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — StandWithUs’ signature middle school curriculum IsraelLINK and The Jewish Agency for Israel are pleased to announce that they have partnered on a new venture in which The Jewish Agency’s ShinShinim (service-year emissaries) will present the IsraelLINK curriculum as part of their year of service. Israeli high school graduates, ShinShinim work

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Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Federal Jury Returns Death-Penalty Verdict for Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter

(JNS) A Pittsburgh jury agreed unanimously on Wednesday that Robert Bowers, 50, should be put to death for killing 11 Jewish worshippers at Tree of Life*Or L’Simcha Synagogue in Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 2018. The judge will formally sentence the convicted killer on Aug. 3. “As we collectively process the jury’s decision today, what should

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USA

What Will Happen to the Refuge That is Israel?

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — It is a cruel irony that Israelis are preparing to move to Germany or Poland where their parents or grandparents survived Hitler. “They’re willing to accept a drop in their standard of living because they’re so worried that their freedom of movement will be curtailed,” Shay Obazanek told The

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, USA

Connections and Disconnections on the New York Subways

Picture yourself taking the New York subway in the 1980s. You’re in a cramped subway car with your shoulder hitting the person next to you, claustrophobia creeping in. The heavy graffiti heightens how grimy it feels to be on the subway, and the smell only makes it worse. Not only that, but there may be other passengers who make you feel a little uneasy. [Rowanne Reifman]

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Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Documentary on Israeli Water Tech, San Diego Couple’s Historic Gift Wins Blue Water Film Festival Award

  SDJW Staff Report SAN DIEGO — “Who Are the Marcuses?” — a documentary that reveals the mystery behind a couple who made the largest-ever charitable donation to an institution based in Israel — was recently named the audience award winner for Best Feature at San Diego’s annual Blue Water Film Festival. Held in June

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Israel, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA