In the face of skyrocketing antisemitism across the country, the South Dakota Legislature passed a bill Friday, Feb. 23, making the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism the state’s official definition of anti-Jewish bias and discrimination. [Press Release]
South Dakota Adopts IHRA Definition of Antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Press Release, USA
According to tradition, Moses was born on the 7th of Adar I, today (14th of Adar I) was the 8th day of his life and the day on which he was circumcised in accordance the Divine command to Abraham. [SDJW Staff]
Our Shtetl San Diego County: Some Interesting Facts About Adar I Read More »
Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
The lawsuit details antisemitism at numerous schools at Columbia University, including Columbia’s School of General Studies and the Columbia School of Social Work and at Barnard College. It alleges that students have been physically assaulted, spit on, threatened, and treated unequally. Despite existing policies that are supposed to protect Jews and Israelis, Columbia has failed to act … [Press Release]
Antisemitism Lawsuit against Columbia University Detailed Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Embryo: I have a test tube number, but no name, and, in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a long way from being born. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Cross Examining an Embryo Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The International Program offers English-speaking students from around the world the opportunity to obtain a prestigious academic degree, coupled with immersive Torah study. [Jacob Kamaras]
Jerusalem College of Technology Recruits Local Orthodox High Schoolers Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA
Over nearly four decades she recorded 22 albums, enriching the Jewish liturgy with such compositions as “The Aleph Bet Song,” “Miriam’s Song,” “Not By Might,” “I Am a Latke,” and “Mi Shebeirech,” co-written with her partner Drorah Setel. “Mi Shebereich,” a song for healing, is used by hundreds of congregations throughout North America. Her songs were gender sensitive and inclusive. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Debbie Friedman Read More »
Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USASAN DIEGO — Israel’s former ambassador to the United States met with Sandi Masori of San Diego Jewish World following his appearance at a luncheon on Wednesday, Feb 21, sponsored by Jewish National Fund-USA at the Bayfront Hilton. A companion story by SDJW publisher and editor Donald H. Harrison may be accessed via this link.
Video: Michael Oren on Why Israel Must Not Accept a Permanent Ceasefire Read More »
International, Israel, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Several art works adorn the library’s walls and spaces, both inside and outside the building, serving to underline the Jewish people’s connections with the Bible and other writings, as well as echoing aspects of the Land of Israel. The library also contains collections of books, manuscripts and other documents bequeathed or donated by Jewish and Israeli intellectuals, as well as unique collections such as Albert Einstein’s letters, Isaac Newton’s contemplation of the Bible, and the unique Gershom Shocken Collecetion of Kabbalah and Hasidism. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
A Visit to Israel’s New National Library Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
In most modern editions of the Talmud, Rashi’s extensive commentaries on 30 of the 39 tractates may be found among various other commentators’ notes that bracket individual Talmudic passages. Scholars believe his commentaries grew out of lectures and responsas to students at his yeshiva. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rashi Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
One hundred thirty 11th and 12th graders from Sha’ar Hanegev in Israel, a region in Southern Israel that was ravaged during the October 7th Hamas attacks, will visit the San Diego Jewish Academy at the end of February. This is the largest student delegation to visit the U.S. since the war started. [SDJA Press Release]
Large Delegation of Sha’ar Hanegev Students Heading to San Diego Jewish Academy Read More »
Israel, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
“If they impose a ceasefire on us, guess what, Hamas wins!” he said. “Hamas gets away with mass murder. Those 200,000 Israelis (who have been relocated from towns and communities near the Lebanese and Gaza borders) will not be able to come back to their homes. Our enemies in the region will internalize that they can hit us with impunity and…we will not be able to strike back because we will be slapped with a ceasefire.” [Donald H. Harrison]
JNF San Diego Luncheon Hears of War in Gaza, Reconstruction in Southern Israel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Suozzi’s victory inspired confidence that Democrats can prevail next Nov. 5 in the presidential and congressional elections, and Fitzpatrick’s legislation appears to be a sign that many Republicans feel so vulnerable that they are terrified. Most of Fitzpatrick’s seven co-sponsors, like himself, represent swing districts. Fitzpatrick’s district, mostly Bucks County, borders Northeast Philadelphia, which is one mile north of my residence. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: House Republicans Stunned by Suozzi’s Victory in Long Island Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
What is the Torah trying to teach us with this mandate to use the best oil for lighting the Menorah, whereas for the meal-offerings, the Menachot, we are only required to use this secondary oil? (Interestingly, it is noteworthy that the norm is for us to use our best oil for cooking and meal prep, but for lamp fuel, we are ok using subpar oil as long as it lights well – just the opposite!) [Rabbi Daniel Reich]
Parshat Tetzaveh: The Symbolic Importance of Pure Olive Oil Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I knew that even if we didn’t see the lights, I won’t be “too” disappointed. The truth is I had already seen them years ago — through my father’s eyes and words, written eight decades before in magnificent wonder to my mother from blistering cold southeastern Newfoundland. [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: Northern Lights, Familial Sights Read More »
Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA