Staff and Bylined Contributors

Our Shtetl San Diego County: American Jewish Committee Praises Mayor Todd Gloria

During these troubling times, Mayor Gloria has been a steadfast friend to the Jewish community of San Diego, having spoken out against Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack against Israel and against antisemitism here at home. We must show the mayor that we deeply appreciate his efforts and stand with him, just as he has stood with us.” [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Embracing Time and 59

Tomorrow, March 3rd, I turn 59. It is mostly significant because it is the eve of 60. Now that’s a wow number. Me? 60? But, I’m not there yet. I am grateful for every year around the sun, despite the larger numbers. It is a gift we are not all blessed to receive. And, each year feels increasingly precious as I am equally aware that this gift of aging could be taken from me at any moment. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

An ‘Escape’ to Tel Aviv

But all Israelis, and not just Jewish citizens, feel the pressure that comes from seeing, hearing, and reading about the daily casualties and the damage being done to our society, financially and socially. So, as a diversion, Michal planned a day trip to Tel Aviv to take our minds off of the situation and to enjoy several hours away from tv, newspapers, and social media. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Moe Berg

In 1934, he joined a group of baseball All-Stars including Ruth, Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Lefty Gomez to play against a Japanese all-star team. Berg was not nearly as good a player as his colleagues, but spoke some Japanese and was invited to address the legislature. On a visit to Saint Luke’s Hospital, he went to the roof and filmed the city and port with his movie camera. This film was later turned over to American intelligence for use in bombing raids. [SDJW staff]

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International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mexico City Jews Not Just Affiliated; they Are Part of a Kehilla

Preserving ethnic traditions from Damascus, Aleppo, Eastern Europe, Turkey and other former centers of Jewish life around the world is at the heart of these distinct communities. “Affiliation” does not do their model justice; you are not just affiliated with a synagogue or a school in Mexico, you are part of a true kehillah, a community – complete with schools, sports, financial support, social infrastructure, and more; one where your parents and grandparents likely belonged as well. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual”

In Sacramento, where the family lived for many years before settling in San Diego, they supported three congregations –one Conservative, another modern Orthodox, and the third Chabad.  Benjamin attended the community’s  Shalom School, which served Jewish children of various denominations from kindergarten through 5th grade. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Redwood’ Dramatizes Jewish Concept of ‘Lo tash’chit’

Prior to Jesse climbing the tree, Becca is trying to get her to leave and suddenly says “Lo tash’chit!” At this point my mind said “Wow, that sounded like Hebrew, but no it couldn’t have been.” But in fact it is.  Becca goes on to explain that it’s a Jewish concept of taking care of the trees as well as you take care of yourself. She’s bageling Jesse, assuming that Jesse is Jewish. [Sandi Masori]

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Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

UCSD Faculty Members, Fearing Danger to Jewish Students, Appeal for SJP Event Cancellation

Rachel Millstone, Ed.D, a lecturer in Education Studies at UC San Diego, has called for the cancellation of a planned anti-Israel protest rally  at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, “to prevent hateful, violent acts on the UCSD campus.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Yitzhak Rabin

In 1992, Rabin unseated Peres as the Labor party leader, leading to his second term as prime minister. In 1993, Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat exchanged letters of recognition, with Arafat renouncing violence. Encouraged by President Bill Clinton, Rabin had a historic handshake with Arafat at the White House in 1993. The following year, Rabin signed a peace treaty with Jordan. Along with Arafat and Peres, Rabin was awarded the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize. [SDJW staff]

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Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

26-Year-Old Biography of George Steiner Worth Reading Again

Errata; an Examined Life: A Life in Ideas by George Steiner; Yale University Press, 1998 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The name of this author arouses reverence in the minds of anyone conscious of the role played by language in the world of culture, literature and ideas. Steiner’s seminal books, After Babel and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Helping Israeli Hostages and Protecting the Local Jewish Community

The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, the Leichtag Foundation, and Impact Cubed have put together a webinar for 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, to consider the situation of the slain Israelis and hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA