Peter Wertheim, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, welcomed the proposed legislation as a first step toward creating a safer, more unified Australia. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Yeah, some people won. And some people un-won. The victorious had a wonderful evening and a step-up in their respective careers. The mere nominees, a little less so; but merely to be nominated is a huge compliment and boon. [John E. Finley-Weaver]
Opinion: A few thoughts on the Golden Globes Read More »
Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Jewish Federation of San Diego launched its “Standing Up to Antisemitism Toolkit, an online resource to help individuals respond to antisemitism, report incidents, and empower them to take meaningful action across San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]
Jewish Federation offers tips for standing up to antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
None of the participants really oozed machismo by discussing sports, firearms or strippers. However, they all admitted to repressing vulnerable emotions to meet society’s expectations of manhood. And yet Kutner related how men making a minyan to say the Mourners’ Kaddish is a profound way for Jewish men to cry. [Eric George Tauber]
‘Mama’s Boys’ podcast explores Jewish masculinity Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Fourteen Democratic U.S. Senators led by Alex Padilla of California and Ron Wyden of Oregon have filed a friends-of-the-court brief in the mail ballot case of Watson vs. Republican National Committee. That dispute involves the Republican party trying to invalidate a Mississippi law stating that so long as a mail-in ballot is postmarked on Election Day or before, it may be counted for up to five days beyond the election. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the News: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The first terrorist acts against the leaders of the newly established Soviet government were carried out on August 30, 1918, by Jews Leonid Kannegiesser and Fanny Kaplan. (Alex Gordon)
Jewish Biography: Fanny Kaplan, would-be assassin of Vladimir Lenin Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
An arsonist set Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, ablaze, approximately at 3 am. Saturday morning when the building was unoccupied, but the damage was extensive. Two Torah scrolls were destroyed, and five others were damaged. A Holocaust Torah on display behind a glass case was still intact. Police said they have detained a suspect, whom they have not yet identified. [Donald H. Harrison]
Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, set ablaze Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Achrayut is often translated as “responsibility,” but it means more than that. At its core is the idea that once you become aware of a problem, you can no longer look away. Awareness creates obligation. [Betzy Lynch]
When something feels wrong, Judaism teaches it’s time to repair it Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday he hopes U.S. foreign aid for his nation’s military can be cut to zero within a decade, Reuters reported. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Saturday evening, Jan.10, 2026 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Brown hopes that Lamplighter audiences will gain a new appreciation for the story as they explore the complex friendships, isolation and the desire to make connections. The tale is about loss on many levels, but always about an individual’s desire to be seen and heard. [Eva Trieger]
Teri Brown brings ‘Of Mice and Men’ to Lamplighter Theatre Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Brooke Goldstein, founder and executive director of the Lawfare Project, said the settlement that her organization in cooperation with the law firm of Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP reached with Cooper Union, also provides a monetary award, a requirement for protesters to carry IDs during protests … [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the news: Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Peaceful protest is how people have always defended democracy. It is how civil rights were won and how abuses of power are confronted. Nonviolence is our collective strength, exercised with discipline, dignity, and care for one another. [Terra Lawspn-Remer]
Supervisor Lawson-Remer boosts weekend anti-ICE rallies Read More »
Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Democracy isn’t a spectator sport, and we must get in the arena and use the tools of our democracy to defend it. The most meaningful action we can take is in the midterm elections. We must ensure Democrats take back control of Congress so they can restore checks and balances and provide oversight on the Executive Branch, given the GOP’s abdication of its authority and acquiescence to Trump. In the meantime, there are additional steps we can take to stand up, speak out, and advocate for our values. The most important thing is to not tune out and accept or normalize Trump’s trampling of our democratic norms and institutions. [Halie Soifer]
Opinion: Democracy is not a spectator sport Read More »
Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We will launch our Center for Jewish Wellbeing, led by Shira Jacobs; expand support for healthy aging, behavioral health for tweens, teens, and young adults; and promote education that strengthens healthy relationships. We will continue to care for more than 500 Holocaust Survivors, ensuring their access to healthy nutrition, housing, home care, and community. [Dana Toppel]
New Programs at JFS: Nourish San Diego and Center for Jewish Wellbeing Read More »
Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food