News Sources

Trump’s Cabinet Secretaries Send Christian Messages on Federal Websites

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed, “We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior.” Similarly, Defense Secretary Hegseth asserted, “Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The inherent problem with these messages is that they use a collective “we” to describe religious views and beliefs, as if these are views and beliefs that all Americans share. [Halie Soifer]

Trump’s Cabinet Secretaries Send Christian Messages on Federal Websites Read More »

Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Schiff Cosponsors Bill to Restrict Border Patrol Operations to Areas Within 25 Miles of the Mexican Border

U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-California) and Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) have introduced legislation that, except under extraordinary circumstances, would confine Border Patrol law enforcement activities to 25 miles north of the international border with Mexico. [Donald H. Harrison]

Schiff Cosponsors Bill to Restrict Border Patrol Operations to Areas Within 25 Miles of the Mexican Border Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein Sends ‘Open Letter’ to Vice President JD Vance

I appreciate you stating clearly in a recent interview that antisemitism has no place in your political movement. However, the notion that our concerns about this bigotry on the right are “overstated by people who want to avoid having a foreign policy conversation about Israel” does not align with facts. [Roz Rothstein, StandWithUs]

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein Sends ‘Open Letter’ to Vice President JD Vance Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl: Thoughts on a Drive Back to San Diego

Provisioned with a variety of tamales, bañuelos (crispy-thin dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, a typical Mexican holiday dessert, muy delicioso!), and my father-in-law’s “famous rum cake,” my family and I are heading back to “somewhat sunny” San Diego from El Paso. (Cailin Acosta)

Our Shtetl: Thoughts on a Drive Back to San Diego Read More »

Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Rob Reiner, His Name and Memory for a Blessing

From the first loud toilet flush, audiences knew that All in the Family was
something new. They often tackled Racism, Sexism and Xenophobia. They didn’t just argue about the War in Vietnam, but whether to extend hospitality to a draft dodger one Christmas. [Eric George Tauber]

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Eric George Tauber, Jewish Celebrities, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Parsha Vayigash: Joseph’s Story is One of Emotional Growth

This Yosef is profoundly different from the young man we met years earlier in Vayeishev, the one who brought negative reports about his brothers and spoke without sensitivity. Twenty years later, shaped by betrayal, suffering, responsibility, and faith, Yosef has grown into someone emotionally wise and spiritually grounded. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Paul Avgerinos and the Gentle Art of Remembering: Listening for the Still, Small Sound

There is a Hasidic teaching that every soul enters the world carrying its own melody, and the task of life is not to invent it, but to remember it. When Averginos speaks of music arriving beyond his conscious knowledge, of harmonies flowing through him that exceeded his formal training, he is describing this remembrance. The self does not lead. It relaxes. And something greater moves through. [Michael Adam Cohen]

Paul Avgerinos and the Gentle Art of Remembering: Listening for the Still, Small Sound Read More »

Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Political Briefing, Dec. 24, 2025: Five Senators Object to Stiffer Fees for Non-U.S. Residents to Visit National Parks and Monuments

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-California) and four other Western States senators are calling on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to delay the scheduled Jan. 1 imposition of new fees for non-U.S. residents to visit national parks and monuments, including the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing, Dec. 24, 2025: Five Senators Object to Stiffer Fees for Non-U.S. Residents to Visit National Parks and Monuments Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Pop Up Bagels: A New Pop Sensation Comes to San Diego

A girl was standing at the one table in the place and ripping a piece off of her bagel and dipping it into the shmear.  What a strange way to eat a bagel I thought.  But once we got inside, I understood, their instructions on how to eat the bagel are to “grip, rip, and dip.” [Sandi Masori]

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Opinion, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

An Emotional Tour of the El Paso Holocaust Museum

The museum began as a one-room display inside the El Paso Jewish Community Center, featuring a small collection of books, posters, and personal memorabilia. Today, the El Paso Holocaust Museum encompasses more than 4,000 square feet of permanent exhibition space. It is one of only 13 free-standing Holocaust museums in the United States and one of just two presented in a fully bilingual format. [Cailin Acosta]

An Emotional Tour of the El Paso Holocaust Museum Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA