USA

Getting politically active on a Sunday afternoon

On Sunday, Hillcrest Indivisible hosted an “Impeach Trump” rally at Waterfront Park on Harbor Drive. Honestly, the turnout was less than huge. Jodie, one of the organizers from Hillcrest Indivisible, said that more than two thousand people had responded, but it looked like only a few hundred showed up. But a Trump-Baby Blimp –one of eight in the world- was there and quite a hit. [Eric George Tauber]

Getting politically active on a Sunday afternoon Read More »

Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, USA

Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims

Tom and Debbie Farley have behind their home in neighboring Poway a 78-foot high pole that during the Christmas season becomes the trunk of a Christmas display of lights.  This year, the lights are blue, teal, and white – the colors of Chanukah in tribute to Poway of Chabad, which last Passover suffered a gunman’s murderous attack that took the life of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and wounded Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz. [Donald H. Harrison]

Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims Read More »

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

On homelessness, impeachment, immigration

Our area may wish to consider an idea raised by Oakland Mayor Rebecca Kaplan that cruise ships may provide appropriate lodging for our homeless population.  Older cruise ships are being sold all the time, and with some ingenuity, they can be outfitted to serve not only as dormitories and mess halls but also as places where necessary social services and medical treatment can be easily provided. [Donald H. Harrison]

On homelessness, impeachment, immigration Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

A ‘Chanukah’ Party at the White House

I was given the high honor of being invited to this year’s Chanukah party at the White House. When a dear friend asked if I wanted to go I jumped at the chance. Why? It was not to see the holiday decorations (which made me feel as though I was in a winter wonderland), sample the lavish strictly kosher buffet (all I had was a couple of glasses of water), hear the Marine Corps band play Klezmer music (now THAT was otherworldly), see the historic displays of chinaware, meet the members of various branches of the armed services in their full dress regalia, or even to get the chance to meet the President, First Lady, Vice President, or other elected officials or dignitaries. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A ‘Chanukah’ Party at the White House Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Davis, Mazon, seek food for military dependents

An officer of Mazon, the Jewish Response to Hunger, says while a House-Senate conference committee-approved  3.1 percent raise for military personnel is welcome, “it doesn’t make up for nearly 10 years that pay raises for military personnel did not keep up with inflation and cost of living increases. [Donald H. Harrison]

Davis, Mazon, seek food for military dependents Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Defining U.S. defense policies in the Middle East

There are, roughly speaking, two ways to use a large, modern military force. The first is to enforce international “rules of the road,” guaranteeing freedom of the seas or punishing gross violations of international law and treaties, or keeping the peace by backing up treaties with capabilities. This includes rescuing Kuwait from invasion and occupation by Saddam’s Iraq. It includes retaliating for Syria’s use of chemical weapons. The second way a large and capable country can use its forces is to try to settle other people’s problems. This could include the Vietnam War, 18 years of war in Afghanistan, or centuries-long animosities engendered by 400 years of Turkish anti-Arab colonialism called the Ottoman Empire. [Shoshana Bryen]

Defining U.S. defense policies in the Middle East Read More »

Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

The case for direct U.S.-Iran negotiations

There is no doubt that ending the impasse between the US and Iran would markedly reduce tension and mitigate some other conflicts in the region, as the discussion between the two sides, according to US sources, will not be limited to Iran’s nuclear program. The US will insist on discussing some of Iran’s nefarious activities, such as its support of jihadist groups and missile development, albeit on a separate track, with linkages to ensure that the benefits Iran acquires from a new nuclear deal are compensated by Tehran’s demonstrable actions as a constructive regional player. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]

The case for direct U.S.-Iran negotiations Read More »

Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA

Multiple-city itineraries can be exhausting

It seemed like a good idea at the time. A trip that would last just over three weeks, starting with a few days in Madrid, continuing with visits of several days each to cousins on the east coast of the USA. After that we were due to spend a few days with our son in Las Vegas, and conclude with a few more days in Rome. What a perfect combination of fun, family and art. Lots of art. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Multiple-city itineraries can be exhausting Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Travel and Food, USA

Trump deserves credit for this executive order

I realize not everyone may like President Trump. I get that. But regardless how you might feel about him, you have to give him credit for signing an Executive Order on Wednesday providing new and stronger protections for Jewish students on college campuses against anti-Semitic attacks and harassment. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Trump deserves credit for this executive order Read More »

Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

Proposed Tlaib speech in Poway protested

The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund successfully sued to prohibit the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) from teaching about Islam in the San Diego Unified School District as part of an anti-bullying program.  Now the organization is  protesting a proposed CAIR-sponsored speech in the Poway Unified School District by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, a Palestinian-American who is considered one of Israel’s most vocal critics in the Congress. [Donald H. Harrison]

Proposed Tlaib speech in Poway protested Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Nuanced reactions to Trump’s EO on anti-Semitism

In the midst of partisan debate over President Donald Trump’s possible impeachment, and a day after a kosher market in Jersey City was the scene of a mass shooting, there is a lot of rhetoric going around about Trump’s decision to sign an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA’s) working definition of anti-Semitism and to apply it to Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. [Donald H. Harrison]

Nuanced reactions to Trump’s EO on anti-Semitism Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

On the approaching night of shared candles

A benevolent calendar coincidence, occurring every few years, will bring us on Dec. 24 to the shared lighting of solstice calendars by both Christians and Jews. The solar and lunar calendar cycles have intertwined, and so this Christmas Eve will coincide with the third night of Hanukkah, 5780. The circumstances should work to everyone’s advantage on Earth and must be pleasing to the heavens. [Rabbi Ben Kamin]

On the approaching night of shared candles Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

Jews and chocolate: 500 years of sweetness

Sephardic Jews who were expelled in the late 15th century  from Portugal and Spain learned about cocoa and the production of chocolate from the indigenous peoples of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Keeping up contacts with non-Jewish acquaintances who had remained on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, they helped to popularize chocolate and develop it as a product in international trade. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews and chocolate: 500 years of sweetness Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA