Staff and Bylined Contributors

Seders With Prayers for Hostages and Thoughts about Campus Safety

If you are interested in showing up to support Jewish college students at UCSD during the upcoming “Peace in Israel” week, our partner Hillel of San Diego asks that you participate in their webinar, “So You Want to Support Students,” on Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Register here. {Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Sara Jacobs, Please Explain Your Political Philosophy and Mideast Outlook

I have asked Lauren McIlvaine, the press secretary in Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Capitol office, for an explanation from the congresswoman about her voting record, specifically about what her guiding principles may be as she considers legislation affecting Israel and the Middle East. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, News Media, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

When ‘Never Again’ Means ‘Never Again!’

Accountability must start with college administrations and faculty members who tolerate or endorse animus toward Israel, romanticizing malevolent figures. Students involved in violent demonstrations should face immediate expulsion, and administrators and faculty who support such actions should resign. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Garvey: Defund Universities that Won’t Protect Students; Strip Tenure from Professors who Support Terror

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Steve Garvey, on a Zoomcast from Hancock Park in Los Angeles, said on Thursday, April 25, that federal funds should be stripped from those colleges and universities that refuse to protect their students from the wave of antisemitic, anti-Israel demonstrations now taking place on college campuses across the nation. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

His ‘Life as a Jew’ is an Introspective Search for Definition

In lengthy, brilliant, and painfully introspective essays, he examines not only conflicts between Jews and their non-Jewish detractors, but also delves deeply into the sometimes- internecine divisions among Jews themselves. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Customs Surrounding Food Told Entertainingly

Ways of Eating does not contain recipes. Instead it is packed with “takeaways” that illuminate food culture. For instance, “restaurant” derives from the “restoratives” of broth served at inns to travelers. The chapter “Medieval Tastes,” aka middle ages, presents a spirited discussion of periodization and geography. [Olivere B. Pollak]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

OpEd: Is Rep. Sara Jacobs a Friend or Foe of Israel?

Jacobs voted Saturday, April 20, in favor of funding for a $95 billion package incorporating aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, but her explanation why she cast that vote prompted a backlash from supporters of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, Philanthropy, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Year Passover Died

The biblical holiday Passover, a significant event in Jewish history, disappeared entirely when the Romans destroyed the temple in 70 CE. This cataclysmic event marked the end of an era and led to a significant shift in religious practices. However, its name, Passover, was resurrected and given to the holiday Chag Hamatzot, symbolizing the resilience and adaptability of Judaism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: The ‘Che Guevara Effect’ on College Campuses

I think I wore a Jack Kerouac “T,” but I could have had a “Che” one as well. In both instances, I knew little about the face that I was identifying with. So it is with the crowds of young people who clamor for the victory of Hamas against Israel – which means the Jews. They know nothing except hateful propaganda. [Steve Kramer]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

Palestine Lawn Day at Balboa Park Walls Off House of Israel

At one point, we had a man and woman from the other side come to the House of Israel. They
did not go inside but they were in our courtyard and they were engaging in a debate with
members of our community. My husband and I lingered close by just in case. One of the police officers made sure to also be very close to the situation. What was a nice surprise, it never went beyond a passionate and respectful debate between the parties involved. [Miriam Gershenson]

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

Two Whose Memories are Blessings: Joel Cohen, Ellen Fox Lorang

One of our beloved humor columnists, Joel Cohen, has died in New York City, his children have informed me. The news came just two days after I had attended the funeral in San Diego of Ellen Fox Lorang. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Joel H. Cohen, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Fiction: Another American Passover

The haroset is a mixture of fruit, especially those things with laxative qualities such as prunes, nuts and wine. It is very sweet and quite enjoyable. Is this really what the Rabbis intended to convey? The sandwich of Matzah, bitter herbs and cement is actually a tasty appetizer. Let me get this straight, the symbols of slavery are tasty? [Jerry Klinger]

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Love Competes with Jealousy in YA ‘Summer Nights and Meteorites’

There are passing mentions of b’nai mitzvah, Shabbat, and studying Hebrew but these are not essential to the plot, and I wonder sometimes whether such Jewish content is there simply to be placed on Jewish reading lists.  You won’t learn anything about Judaism or Jewish culture, but interesting information abounds about the space and the sea. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA