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’
Tripwires in the Tree of Life Trial…Er, That’s Trials Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Opinion, USA
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]
Joey Landwehr Takes the Reins at the Center for Jewish Culture Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, The Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
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]
Despite Boycott, UCSD Prof. Plans Exchange Program with Tel Aviv University Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
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]
Middle School Remembers Jewish Astronaut Judith Resnik and Challenger Crew Mates Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
(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,
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
(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
Federal Jury Returns Death-Penalty Verdict for Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter Read More »
USA
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — “Hope and optimism, the ability to adapt and transform ourselves, and the commitment to sustain our dreams, are the real keys to survival . . . but throughout it all, we must also have a Jewish homeland to keep us safe.” These are the values, penned by daughter Danna, that buoyed
Clutching Our Dreams Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, International, Israel, Jewish History, USA
Eight days after Orthodox Rabbi Aharon Shapiro, 65, suffered an attack at a 7-Eleven store in the College area, there still has been no arrest — even though the perpetrator clearly was seen on the store’s security cameras. [Donald H. Harrison]
City Council President Elo-Rivera Appeals for Information on Antisemitic Attack Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, USABy 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
What Will Happen to the Refuge That is Israel? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, USA
(JNS) A Jewish day school in Memphis, Tenn., went into lockdown for about 45 minutes on Monday afternoon after a man fired several shots nearby. No injuries were reported at the Margolin Hebrew Academy/Feinstone Yeshiva of the South. “We have recently learned that the shooter at the Margolin Hebrew Academy was himself Jewish and a
Man Fires Shots Near Memphis Jewish School Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
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]
Connections and Disconnections on the New York Subways Read More »
Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
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
By Roz Rothstein LOS ANGELES — In recent months, we have seen tensions in Israel rise to alarming levels. Although the current debate is focused on Israel’s judicial system, it cuts deeper into divisions over what it means for different groups to coexist in a Jewish and democratic state. This has been very painful to
The Political Situation in Israel: What Unites Us in Times of Deep Division? Read More »
Israel, Opinion, USA