Judaism

Program Builds Connections Between Israeli Academics and Local Universities

MGSDII operates parallel programs, with different professors, at San Diego State University, Cal State University San Marcos, and the University of San Diego. One year, an Israeli professor taught at Cal Western Law School.  Cumulatively, the universities in San Diego County host the largest ongoing Israel Studies program in the United States, having attracted through the 2022-2023 academic year 43 visiting professors from Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

The Jewish Foods of India in Five Distinct Sub-Cultures

Author Esther David tells of the history and cuisines of five Jewish communities in India –the Bene Israel, centered in Mumbai; the Cochin Jews on India’s southwestern coast around Kochi;  the Baghdadi Jews on India’s northeastern coast around Kolkata (close to Bangladesh); the Bene Ephraim of Andhra Pradesh on India’s central eastern coast around Machilpatnam; and the Beni Menashe of Manipur and Mizoram on the northeastern arm of India bordering Myanmar (Burma). [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food

The Rosenwald Schools in Palm Beach County: Keeping Open the Door of Freedom

By Jerry Klinger BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Every Julius Rosenwald marker has a backstory. The Rosenwald marker story in Boynton Beach had a shocking twist. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) recently donated and dedicated with its partners, the Boynton Beach Historical Society and the Boynton Beach Historic Resources Preservation Board, its newest

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

An Imaginative Tale About the First Jew to Set Foot in the New World

This large format book for elementary school-aged children is about Luis de Torres, who was the interpreter for Christopher Columbus on his 1492 voyage of discovery. Some of the story is true, as best as historians can tell; more of the story comes from the rich imagination of authorTami Lehman-Wilzig. Overall, it should be considered a work of historical fiction, rather than history. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History

Workshop Highlights Holocaust Experiences and Research

Spielberg established the Shoah Foundation, which is headquarters in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, after making the impactful Holocaust movie Schindler’s List.  UC San Diego’s former head librarian Brian Schottlaender, consulting with History Prof. Deborah Hertz, decided during the 2006-2007 academic year to lease the database and to make it available for free to anyone on campus. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

The Jewish Eye: San Diego Teen Philanthropists; Mayorkas, Sanders Under Fire

In Jewish tradition, the fate of the world depends upon 36 upstanding people known as the Lamed Vavniks.  As a matter of interest, there are 36 leaders and officers of the Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF) in San Diego County.  They will be awarding philanthropic funds that they have raised to various nonprofit organization at a 4 p.m. ceremony Sunday May 21 at Congregation Beth Am in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of San Diego.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Parshiot Behar – Bechukotai: A Message of Comfort, Hope, and Peace

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Nechemta, a message of comfort, hope, and peace often heard at the close of a rabbi’s sermon, is something we can always benefit from hearing, but particularly with increased antisemitism that we are facing daily, it strikes me as an even more cherished message. In this week’s

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

The Jewish Eye: Trump ‘Rape’ Case Heads to Jury; Legislation in 2 States to Combat Antisemitsim

Barry Schneider, a past commander of the Jewish War Veterans, and Combat Antisemitism Movement Adam Beren were among speakers at the Oklahoma State House on Monday when Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a declaration declaring that every May henceforth will be designated Jewish American Heritage Month in Oklahoma.  In Virginia, meanwhile, Gov. Glenn Youngkin also declared May to be Jewish American Heritage Month in his state and also signed a declaration adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Dancing With the Stars: Congregation Beth Israel’s Annual Fundraiser

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Are you ready to swing into action at Congregation Beth Israel’s Annual fundraiser? Cheer on our very own dancing stars as they take to the dance floor with professional dance partners to bring you a night of high-energy dance performances on Saturday, June 3, from 6-10 p.m. Kick-off the evening

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County

The Jewish Eye: Transgender Rights; Fighting Antisemitism; Israel-Palestinian Conflict in California Senate Race

Current and former San Diego County Rabbis Nadav Caine (formerly Cong. Ner Tamid), Mark Hurvitz (formerly Etz Chaim), Dana Magat (formerly Beth Israel), Jason Nevarez (Beth Israel), Yaffa-Shira Sultan (formerly Dor Hadash) and Nicole Nevarez, national director of Ta’amod Stand Up, are among 1,885 Americans so far who have signed an open letter from the Keshet organization in support of LGBTQ+ rights that calls upon Jewish leaders to embrace transgender Jews and to “use your voice and your platform to speak out for our kids and our community. Follow the lead of the Central Conference for Reform Rabbis, who issued a powerful resolution defending transgender people.  Demand that your elected officials take action for trans rights and LGBTQ+ equality.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Technology, USA

Prof. Deborah Hertz Researches Liberated Jewish Women

Deborah Hertz, a UC San Diego historian who holds the Herman Wouk Chair in Modern Jewish Studies, has focused in her career on Jewish women who broke free of the bonds of “daughter, wife, and mother” and made their marks in a variety of fields. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Hadar Institute Announces Major Expansion to the West Coast

(Press Release) To build more vibrant, practicing, and egalitarian communities of Torah, Avodah, and Hesed, the Hadar Institute is expanding to the West Coast. “Hadar West Coast” will be led by Rabbi David Kasher with new programming offered in LA and the Bay Area. “I’m thrilled to bring more of Hadar’s meaningful Torah and community

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California, Jewish Religion, USA

Long-Overdue Recognition for British-Jewish War Hero Jack Nissenthall

By Jerry Klinger The BBC called Jack Nissenthall “The VC (Victoria Cross) Hero Who Never Was.” Eighty years on from the 1942 British raid on Nazi coastal facilities and radar installations in Dieppe, Nissenthall’s extraordinary, courageous actions remain hidden by the British Secrecy Acts. What he did, what he learned, what he saw, remain British

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International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion