San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter Services, operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), has announced an urgent need for volunteers and additional staff. [Jewish Family Service news release]
JFS seeks staff and volunteers to help asylum seekers Read More »
International, San Diego County, USA
The March 21, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news includes the following highlihts:
• With half the population fully vaccinated, Israel’s Covid-19 infection rates have plummeted.
• The UK benefits from two more Israeli medical innovations.
• Many Israeli activities for Good Deeds Day – the country where it began 14 years ago.
• Israeli-designed Instagram Lite is rolled out to 170 countries.
• Israelis enjoy newly opened parks, restaurants, entertainment and sporting events.
• Kosovo opens its Jerusalem embassy.
• 1900-year-old Jewish relics discovered in Dead Sea cave. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 21, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Besides antisemitism and racism, there’s another dangerous “ism” afoot — ageism — and it’s being propagated both by Democrats and Republicans more interested in partisan advantage than in human worth. [Donald H. Harrison]
Let’s not sacrifice wise leaders to partisan ageism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USAThe adoption of an Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum on Thursday, March 18, by the State Board of Education drew mixed responses from Jewish advocacy groups. It was hailed by some and decried by others. [Donald H. Harrison]
State Board Approves Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
With a growing international footprint and new intensive trainings, resources, and consulting services, the Jewish Teen Funders Network, which includes the teen philanthropy program of the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, has rebranded as Honeycomb (honeycomb.org). [News release from honeycomb]
Jewish Teen Funders Network Rebrands as Honeycomb Read More »
Business & Finance, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
With the wave of immigrants arriving at the border clamoring to be let in, I have been thinking a lot about immigration. When Trump was in power, the border was basically closed, refugees and asylees had to wait in Mexico until their case was heard and that was a very long, inhumane process. In addition, many mothers were separated from their children. It seems like now the pendulum has swung from one extreme to another. Do I agree with all the adults and unaccompanied minor rushing the border? It is creating unmanageable chaos and confusion. However, I do understand why this is happening. America is viewed as a safe haven for so many whose own countries or lives are in conflict, and they are desperate. [Mimi Pollack]
Refugees will become hard-working Americans Read More »
International, Mimi Pollack, USA
It is a relief to learn that the nearly 10 million Americans who live in Arizona, Montana and West Virginia feel safe from gun violence. Three Democratic senators from these states will not take all necessary steps to pass two gun-control bills that the House of Representatives approved last Thursday. [Bruce S. Tickeer]
Dems supporting filibuster indirectly support gun violence Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USAJewish organizations responded with sympathy and solidarity on Wednesday for the families of eight victims murdered Tuesday, March 16, in a shooting spree at several Georgia spas in the Atlanta area. Six of the eight slain were women of Asian descent, according to officials. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish groups sympathize with Georgia shooting victims Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, USA
Japan is in a policy box of its own making regarding the Senkaku island chain. China has raised the ante significantly by giving its Coast Guard the right to challenge and shoot back in any confrontation with Japan as China’s Coast Guard patrols deeply around the island chain. [Stephen D. Bryen]
Japan, China vie over ownership of Senkaku Islands Read More »
International, Stephen D. Bryen, USA
Two months into our “cruise” (sans spas and umbrella drinks), it’s January 1985, when we start planning for a battlegroup-wide Passover seder for thirty when we discovered the ship’s supply system was ill-equipped for the task. [Jeff Goldfinger]
The Case of the Missing Matzoh Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
Municipal leaders from more than 32 cities across 21 countries took part today in the first-ever Mayors Summit Against Anti-Semitism, hosted by the Frankfurt am Main municipality in partnership with the Combat Anti-Semitism Movement (CAM). Participants including tens of city mayors pledged to make the summit the first step in establishing a long-term framework working towards defeating anti-Semitism, prejudice, and hatred. [Combat Anti-Semitism Movement press release]
Global Group of Mayors Decry Antisemitism Read More »
International, USA
Initially, the event on Sunday, March 14, was advertised by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club as a lox and bagel brunch, during which members could gather by Zoom and discuss how the coronavirus pandemic affected them, and what they look most forward to when it is over. Members were invited to drive to the synagogue’s parking lot, where a boxed lox n’ bagel meal would be waiting for them. As my wife Nancy had some errands to run in the neighborhood of the synagogue, she volunteered to pick up the boxed brunch. Inside of the box were two individual fruit pies — one apple, another cherry — in addition to the advertised lox, bagels and cream cheese. How come? “It’s pi day,” explained Bram Rubinstein, a Men’s Club member. [Donald H. Harrison]
In San Diego, it was lox, bagel and ‘pi’ day Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
Two San Diego members of Congress – Democrats Sara Jacobs and Scott Peters –had personal reasons for joining with the majority in the House of Representatives that passed companion gun safety measures on Thursday. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jacobs, Peters Tell Why They Voted for Background Checks Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Now may be the opportune time for Serbia to reconcile its past unspeakable atrocities against the Albanian Kosovars. The sooner Belgrade comes to terms with its past, the sooner it can begin its moral self-salvation, without which it will continue to be shackled with no redemption in sight. Serbian leaders should ask themselves one simple question: under what circumstances would Kosovo’s independence be reversed? They know the answer, but do not have the moral courage to admit that it is beyond their ability to undo Kosovo’s independence now or ever. Here is why. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Serbia should repent for its atrocities, make peace with Kosovo Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, USA