“Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Pharaoh embodies the classic addict’s cycle, swearing after every devastating “hangover” (plague) that he’ll change—”I swear I’ll never do it again!”—only to relapse the moment the pain subsides, as he did time after time. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Disabled’ people throughout history have been the most able Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The plagues themselves are not acts of revenge. They are acts of moral clarity. Pharaoh believes power comes from domination. Hashem reveals that true power flows from justice, accountability, and truth. Va’eira teaches that when lies go unchallenged, cruelty flourishes. Silence enables oppression. Moral clarity requires voice, even when speaking is uncomfortable. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Va’eira: Growing through the hail Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the proposed legislation as a first step toward creating a safer, more unified Australia. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jewish Federation of San Diego launched its “Standing Up to Antisemitism Toolkit, an online resource to help individuals respond to antisemitism, report incidents, and empower them to take meaningful action across San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]
Jewish Federation offers tips for standing up to antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
None of the participants really oozed machismo by discussing sports, firearms or strippers. However, they all admitted to repressing vulnerable emotions to meet society’s expectations of manhood. And yet Kutner related how men making a minyan to say the Mourners’ Kaddish is a profound way for Jewish men to cry. [Eric George Tauber]
‘Mama’s Boys’ podcast explores Jewish masculinity Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Fourteen Democratic U.S. Senators led by Alex Padilla of California and Ron Wyden of Oregon have filed a friends-of-the-court brief in the mail ballot case of Watson vs. Republican National Committee. That dispute involves the Republican party trying to invalidate a Mississippi law stating that so long as a mail-in ballot is postmarked on Election Day or before, it may be counted for up to five days beyond the election. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the News: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The first terrorist acts against the leaders of the newly established Soviet government were carried out on August 30, 1918, by Jews Leonid Kannegiesser and Fanny Kaplan. (Alex Gordon)
Jewish Biography: Fanny Kaplan, would-be assassin of Vladimir Lenin Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
An arsonist set Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, ablaze, approximately at 3 am. Saturday morning when the building was unoccupied, but the damage was extensive. Two Torah scrolls were destroyed, and five others were damaged. A Holocaust Torah on display behind a glass case was still intact. Police said they have detained a suspect, whom they have not yet identified. [Donald H. Harrison]
Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, set ablaze Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Achrayut is often translated as “responsibility,” but it means more than that. At its core is the idea that once you become aware of a problem, you can no longer look away. Awareness creates obligation. [Betzy Lynch]
When something feels wrong, Judaism teaches it’s time to repair it Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday he hopes U.S. foreign aid for his nation’s military can be cut to zero within a decade, Reuters reported. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Saturday evening, Jan.10, 2026 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAI called the non-emergency line and described what I saw, and police arrived in minutes to search the teens and confiscate their items and the BB gun they threw over the fence. It seemed that they were all instructed to leave, as no one was arrested. [Cailin Acosta]
‘If you see something, say something.’ I did Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
[Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey] later issued a written statement, “The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city and making our community less safe. We are demanding that ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 Read More »
Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, WikipediaA bush that burns without being consumed symbolizes human resilience, our capacity to endure fear and strain without losing our core identity. Adversity may ignite anxiety within us, but it need not define or destroy us. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Shemot: From struggle to strength Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors