USA

Trump’s Department of Education to Investigate Antisemitism at 5 Universities

The U.S. Department of Education on Monday, Feb. 3, announced investigations into five institutions of higher education where widespread antisemitic harassment has been reported. The investigations are in response to the explosion of antisemitism on American campuses following the Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians on Oct. 7, 2023.    [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Janis Ian in ‘Breaking Silence’ Tells of Being an Ugly Girl at 17, Interracial Dating, Her Lesbian Choice

The audience at the Jewish Community Center who attended Breaking Silence: The Story of Janis Ian truly got a special treat, with the singer/ songwriter herself in attendance to answer questions from the crowd. [Sandy Scheller]

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Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

OpEd: Why Young People Distrust the Democratic Party

People in my generation (and younger) don’t really trust those in power or our institutions. And we have good reason for that. I was in 7th grade when the September 11th attacks happened, and then I watched the U.S. spend billions of dollars – and deploy millions of servicemembers – to fight endless wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. … (Congresswoman Sara Jacobs)

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International, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tariffs

As ‍a ‍result ‍of ‍The ‍United ‍States–Israel ‍Free ‍Trade ‍Agreement ‍signed ‍in ‍1985, ‍there ‍are ‍few ‍tariffs ‍or ‍duties ‍on ‍goods ‍traded ‍between ‍the ‍United ‍States ‍and ‍Israel. ‍But ‍there ‍are ‍still ‍some ‍tariffs ‍in ‍effect ‍between ‍the ‍two ‍countries. ‍This ‍includes ‍United ‍States ‍tariffs ‍on ‍Israeli ‍“meat ‍of ‍bovine ‍animals,” ‍and ‍Israeli ‍tariffs ‍on ‍live ‍fish ‍including ‍tilapia, ‍carp, ‍and ‍trout. ‍What ‍tariffs ‍has ‍Israel ‍imposed ‍on ‍other ‍countries? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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International, Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

‘Sabbath Queen’ Tells of an Orthodox Rabbi Who Became a Drag Queen

Sabbath Queen shown Sunday night at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival documents the life of Amichai Lau-Lavie, the Rabbi and founding spiritual leader of Lab/Shul in NYC.  The documentary combines archival footage, 21 years of filming and animation to tell the story of Lau-Lavie’s spiritual journey. [Robin Dishman]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

San Diego-Based Photographer Specializes in Dog Portraits

Bayer is a pet photographer who comes to you and travels the country. Although San Diego is her home base, she and her husband spend a better part of the year traveling the country in their Airstream, taking photos for both private and commercial clients. [Mimi Pollack]

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Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

An “Interview” with a Groundhog

“I might add that it is quite a puzzling day for me too. You see, I have a little touch of rheumatism and, like everyone else, I want the warmth of spring to come early, too. So every year at about this time I get my sunglasses and consider putting them on. so I won’t see my shadow or be bothered by the snow. But then I start worrying, especially since I can never remember whether I’m supposed to stay outside or go back into my hole – er, house.” [Bruce F. Lowitt]

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Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Keith, Ofer and Yarden are Back in Israel — Where They Belong

In another emotional moment for Israel and the Jewish people, we witnessed the long-awaited release of Israeli-American Keith Siegel, French-Israeli Ofer Kalderon, and Yarden Bibas after enduring 484 excruciating days in Hamas’ terror dungeons. [Julie Rayman, American Jewish Committee]

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International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Taking in the Movies at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival

The San Diego International Jewish Film Festival is being held at the Lawrence Family JCC. I love going to the movies but since having twins, those typical date nights with my husband are not very common anymore. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

OpEd: Donald Trump’s Executive Orders Do Not Bode Well for Jews, Other Minorities

On Monday, the Trump administration announced a freeze of all grants, loans, and other federal assistance, which impacts nearly every American. A judge temporarily halted part of the White House decree because it’s unconstitutional. News of the freeze has already impeded access to Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare benefits, among other essential government funding programs, including the grants that fund security at synagogues, JCCs, and Jewish day schools. [Halie Sofer]

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Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Grace Church Pastors Tell Why They Choose to Stand with Us Jews

I began my intervention by stating that I did not choose to be Jewish, that I was born in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, to Jewish parents, and that I was not asked for my opinion on religion when I was born, nor was I consulted about being circumcised at 8 days old. So, I suppose it was God’s will that determined my religion and, in part, my destiny. This automatically connected me with the audience because, like all religious people, they believe in God’s will, which allowed them to empathize with me. [José Galicot]

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

$50 Million for Gaza Condoms? Fact Checker Very Much Doubts White House Claim!

If my math is right, $50 million would buy more than 2,400 condoms for each and every male in Gaza between the ages of 15 and 64.
That would allow the use of a condom every day, for almost seven years by every male in Gaza in that age group. A daunting task. [Dorian de Wind, The Moderate Voice]

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Dorian de Wind, Israel, Middle East, USA

Israel’s and UNRWA’S Relationship Reaches the Breaking Point

The relationship between Israel and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has reached a breaking point following staff involvement in the October 7 terrorist attacks and longstanding criticisms of its operations. These events have resulted in Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA from operating within its territories. [Miriam Gershenson]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA