Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘If you see something, say something.’ I did

I called the non-emergency line and described what I saw, and police arrived in minutes to search the teens and confiscate their items and the BB gun they threw over the fence. It seemed that they were all instructed to leave, as no one was arrested. [Cailin Acosta]

‘If you see something, say something.’ I did Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

[Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey] later issued a written statement, “The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city and making our community less safe. We are demanding that ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Wikipedia

Slutsky, Shemer poems to be featured at the Lawrence Family JCC Feb. 13

Itshe Slutsky (1912-1944), will be one of the two featured poets at the 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13, “Jewish Poets of the Past” program in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

When trust is eroded, nations eventually will fail

Historians have long observed a pattern that repeats with uncomfortable consistency, most empires begin to fail somewhere between 200 and 300 years after their founding. Rome. Spain. Britain. Not because history is scripted, but because trust erodes, between leaders and citizens, between institutions and truth, between power, responsibility, and accountability. [Shahar Masori]

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International, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum: “We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. The history of Latin America is clear and compelling: intervention has never brought democracy, never generated well-being, nor lasting stability.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

NY Democrats engage in a showdown over Israel

Democrats have already been influenced by members of Congress who repeatedly bash Israel. Critics have legitimate concerns about Israel, but for a bloc in Congress Israel can do nothing right. Their approach to the war between Israel and Hamas is one-sided, and the more evenhanded Democrats have been walking on eggshells around them. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Emma’ and ‘Noah’ most popular names for newborns in San Diego County

The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office has released the top 10 baby names for 2025, based on birth records filed throughout San Diego County. The list reflects both enduring favorites and the county’s rich cultural diversity, highlighting the names parents most often chose for their newborns last year. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Jews in the News: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

US President Donald Trump covets Greenland for the sake of U.S. national security and for control of Greenland’s natural resources. Stephen Miller, deputy white House chief of staff, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday that “Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland … It wouldn’t be military action against Greenland. Greenland has a population of 30,000 people, Jake.  The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?” [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Israel adds inexpensive ‘Iron Beam’ to its defense array

The Iron Beam offers low-cost laser interception of drones, rockets, and missiles, while reducing reliance on costly interceptors. Whereas the Iron Dome defense cost is about $50,000 per successful interception, the Iron Beam cost per interception is negligible. (Nevertheless, the Iron Dome will remain an important weapon in Israel’s arsenal.) [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer

Interesting interpretations of early Bible stories

Exodus 13:17-18 states: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded innocent in the New York federal court of Judge Alvin Hellerstein to charges of drug and arms trafficking.  Attorney Barry Pollack represented Maduro at the arraignment.  The next court date was set for March 17. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA