“The RJC condemns in the strongest possible terms the candidacy of Graham Platner, a man who walked around with a Nazi SS Totenkopf tattoo emblazoned on his chest for 18 years and now expects Maine voters to send him to the United States Senate. A Nazi tattoo is disqualifying. Full stop. [Press Release]
RJC slams Graham Platner’s Nazi tattoo Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
American Jewish Committee San Diego reports that its Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) graduating cohort spent the year gaining the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to advocate for the Jewish people and Israel in high school and beyond. {Cailin Acosta}
Graduations lead to service on behalf of the Jewish people Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
For thousands of years, Jewish teachings have emphasized that true abundance is measured not only by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute. The concept of tikkun olam—repairing the world—calls upon each generation to use its gifts, resources, wisdom, and compassion to elevate the lives of others. (Jennie Edwards Stock and Michael Adam Cohen)
‘Pillars of Power’ draws heavily on Jewish teachings Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Trump behaves as though decades of deep-seated theological fervor, regional subversion, and nuclear ambition can be resolved simply by finding a transactional middle ground. It treats a fanatical, apocalyptic regime not as an existential threat to be decisively dismantled, but as a difficult business partner holding out for a better contract. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Trump may imagine himself as Monty Hall of ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Few periods of life are as formative as young adulthood. My undergraduate years profoundly shaped the interests, communities, and convictions that continue to guide me today. Much of that trajectory can be traced back to my involvement in pro-Israel student life on campus. [Karen Klein]
Support for Israel dangerously low among college students Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, News Media, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
By a decree of the President of the USSR dated October 16, 1990, Iosif Rapoport was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor with the wording “for his special contribution to the preservation and development of genetics and breeding, and the training of highly qualified scientific personnel.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Iosif Rapoport, soldier and geneticist Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Chait’s poem, Without You, was inspired by the terrible events of October 7, 2023. Lynch’s poem, To My Shabbat Soul, is full of original imagery, dealing with her relationship to Shabbat, and Rolfe’s poem, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC describes how that element influences our lives… I am also including a poem written by Janice Alper about the traumatic event the day before when three men were killed by two teenagers at the nearby Mosque. [Eileen Wingard]
Shabbat, music, death are subjects for season finale of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The prayer, masterfully sung by Jennifer Meltzer, asks for blessings upon the teachers, upon their students, and upon the students of their students. It reminds us that learning is not simply the transfer of knowledge. It is a relationship, a chain of connection, a sacred partnership between generations. [Betzy Lynch]
JCC’s preschool graduation ignites pride and hope Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The rabbi at the margins must possess every credential the listing demands, and then, on top of that, perform fit. The rabbi at the unmarked center gets to be a fit by default. Everyone else has to earn it on top of the job. You can be twice as qualified and half a candidate. [Rabbi Sandra Lawson]
‘Fit’ bars many Black, Queer rabbis from congregational posts Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I persuaded him to write a column for San Diego Jewish World to offer an Israeli-American perspective on the news. As he did so, the writing bug must have bitten him. He poured himself into writing some books for children, and now books for adults are in the works. [Donald H. Harrison]
Introducing Shahar Masori and his children’s books Read More »
animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Sandi Masori, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAIt’s as if the Almighty said, “You have a problem with dark skin? How do you like being the whitest person in the desert right now?” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Parsha Beha’alotcha: Love the stranger Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The controversial reception to Dad’s Marriage Made in Heaven stemmed primarily from its explicit and frank discussion of sexual intimacy, which many in the Orthodox rabbinate in 1958 considered inappropriate for public consumption. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Love, marriage, and sex as told by my father, a rabbi Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
The Sifrei explains that the flame had to rise independently, teaching that genuine spiritual growth cannot be forced externally; it must awaken from within. The role of a leader, parent, teacher, or friend is not to control another person’s flame, but to help kindle it until it can sustain itself. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Beha’alotecha: Light one candle for the strength that we need Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The authors created a text that speaks simultaneously to the intellectually curious reader, the seeker of religious inspiration, and the conversion student searching for a reliable and comprehensive guide. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin}
‘Essentials of Judaism’ will please life-long Jews and those studying for conversion Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors