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Jewish Political Briefing: Chanukah Massacre in Australia, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

Two gunmen with automatic weapons opened fire, killing at least 11 people and wounding at least 29 others at a celebration of the first night of Chanukah at the beach in the Bondi neighborhood of Sydney, Australia. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

The Symbolism and Challenges of the Eight Candles of Hanukkah

Did you know that Hanukkah candles are not intended to be used for practical benefit? Jewish tradition suggests that their light exists solely for pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle. For this reason, we have been taught that we do not read, work, or otherwise make use of their light. Meditation, however, is permitted when it is understood not as using the light, but as witnessing it. Sitting near the candles in quiet reflection, gratitude, or spiritual awareness allows us to honor the miracle without appropriating the light for our own needs. We do not take from the flame; we allow it to remind us of faith, resilience, and sacred presence. (Betzy Lynch)

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Some Immigrants are More Qualified than Trump for U.S. Citizenship

The Trump Administration has halted naturalization ceremonies for people from 19 countries it deems “high risk.” Given that those affected have been vetted and have met the qualifications for citizenship, there can only be one reason why the President Trump has decided to take this step: he realizes that they are more qualified than he is to be an American citizen. [Laurie Baron]

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International, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Ms. Holman Leak Goes to Washington

We are prepping to do some lobbying on Capitol Hill on Monday on Israel, voting rights, immigration, healthcare and more. We will also learn how to bring effective racial and social justice action steps and training for organizing to our local congregations. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Deep Dive 2025 Speakers Reflected Jewish Wisdom

Entrepreneurs, executives, creators, and growth-driven individuals from across the country convened for a rare and integrated journey designed to align internal identity with external results. Unlike traditional conferences that deliver fragmented insights, DeepDive offered a cohesive, holistic experience grounded in a timeless truth deeply echoed in Jewish wisdom: transformation of the outer world begins with refinement of the inner self. [Michael Adam Cohen]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Merry Jewish Christmas: How Chinese Food and the Movies Became a Time-Honored Tradition for American Jews

As restaurant owners learned that Jews often eschewed pork, some began to offer traditional dishes with chicken instead – allowing more observant Jews to eat “kosher style,” without eating explicitly forbidden food. Today, there is wide variation in Jewish dietary practices, making Chinese food even more accessible for most Jews. (Samira Mehta)

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl: Chanukah Display at Parkway Plaza

As I walked in through the entrance near Five Guys Burgers and Fries, I was greeted by a delightful surprise: a Chanukah display set up at the main intersection, right beside the Five Below store. A representative was carefully adding the finishing touches as I passed by. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jennifer Connelly

Jennifer Connelly (December 12, 1970) is an American actress. She began her career as a child model before making her acting debut in the 1984 crime film Once Upon a Time in America. After a few more years of modeling, she began to concentrate on acting, starring in a variety of films including the horror film Phenomena (1985), the musical fantasy film Labyrinth (1986), the romantic comedy Career Opportunities (1991), and the period superhero film The Rocketeer (1991). [Wikipedia]

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

OpEd: Anti-Israel Protesters Resort to Petty Tactics

bout 20 mezuzahs were snatched from the doorways of Jewish apartment tenants this past Sunday in the North York section of Toronto, where a large Jewish community lives, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Canada’s National Post. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors