News Sources

Tale of an oleh: A satisfying life in two countries

I met the most wonderful girl in San Diego. We were married in June 1968. Together we decided our home would be kept Kosher. Being strictly kosher wasn’t a realistic option on a US Navy ship. Some of you know that I was talking with Madeline and said “We will live in Israel after I leave the Navy. Oh, and by the way, Will you marry me?” She agreed. When she was asked, later, about what brought her to Israel, her reply was always “Not what, but who.” [Aryeh Wetherhorn]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Open Letter from the San Diego Board of Rabbis and Cantors

When Rabbi Leberman asked whether another rabbi might step in to offer the benediction in his place, that request too was denied. With the exclusion of Rabbi Leberman, so too came the elimination of any Jewish clergy from the All People’s Celebration. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the news: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026

American-Israeli Rabbi Hanan Leberman of Tifereth Israel Synagogue was disinvited from delivering a closing message at the All People’s Breakfast in Balboa Park that will honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, Jan. 19, causing shock, outrage, and protest from San Diego’s Jewish community. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Musicians from afar lessen Israelis’ sense of isolation

The fact that excellent musicians are prepared to come to Israel at a time when each day brings some new crisis or threat provides us with wonderful music as well as serving to raise our spirits and give us renewed hope that the world is not a completely hostile place. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Of Mice and Men’ — A Must See

[E]very single actor inhabited his role. Brown’s choices were perfect and I can’t imagine John Steinbeck having a quarrel with any of them. The leads, George (John Carroll) and Lennie (Knight Padilla) are truly some of the most gifted actors I’ve seen on our local stages and anywhere else. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Tackling a legend and antisemitism, ‘Giant’ comes to Broadway

The play’s subject and the incident it depicts are based on true events. In 1983, beloved children’s author, the 6’6” Roald Dahl, reviewed a book about the siege of West Beirut by the Israeli army during the 1982 Lebanon War. That review was widely viewed as antisemitic. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Karen Galatz, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Walking through a year of your life with two rabbis

He founded Beit T’Shuvah in Los Angeles, a pioneering recovery center that fuses Jewish spirituality with addiction treatment. Residents don’t just talk recovery; they live it through Torah study, Shabbat observance, and honest confrontation with their souls. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

AB 715, abolishing antisemitism in K-12 classrooms, ruled constitutional

Within a month after passage, a complaint seeking to halt the Jan. 1 implementation of the bill was filed against Newsom, Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. The complaint claimed the law restricts teachers’ free speech rights, is vague and ambiguous, and denies students full learning opportunities. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, Israel, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA