[Brooks] said fighting antisemitism has been weaponized to harm academic institutions and close down academic freedom. It also hampers the ability to engage in discussions among Jewish, Arab and other students, he said. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Reform Judaism Hears from NAACP’s Former President Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
And yet, as the world watches in horror, one question burns brighter than any menorah: How could this happen in a nation that prides itself on solidarity, fairness, and freedom? The answer is devastatingly clear—the Australian government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, bears direct responsibility. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Two gunmen with automatic weapons opened fire, killing at least 11 people and wounding at least 29 others at a celebration of the first night of Chanukah at the beach in the Bondi neighborhood of Sydney, Australia. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Chanukah Massacre in Australia, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Did you know that Hanukkah candles are not intended to be used for practical benefit? Jewish tradition suggests that their light exists solely for pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle. For this reason, we have been taught that we do not read, work, or otherwise make use of their light. Meditation, however, is permitted when it is understood not as using the light, but as witnessing it. Sitting near the candles in quiet reflection, gratitude, or spiritual awareness allows us to honor the miracle without appropriating the light for our own needs. We do not take from the flame; we allow it to remind us of faith, resilience, and sacred presence. (Betzy Lynch)
The Symbolism and Challenges of the Eight Candles of Hanukkah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Trump Administration has halted naturalization ceremonies for people from 19 countries it deems “high risk.” Given that those affected have been vetted and have met the qualifications for citizenship, there can only be one reason why the President Trump has decided to take this step: he realizes that they are more qualified than he is to be an American citizen. [Laurie Baron]
OpEd: Some Immigrants are More Qualified than Trump for U.S. Citizenship Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We are prepping to do some lobbying on Capitol Hill on Monday on Israel, voting rights, immigration, healthcare and more. We will also learn how to bring effective racial and social justice action steps and training for organizing to our local congregations. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Ms. Holman Leak Goes to Washington Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Senior Hamas commander Ra’ad Sa’ad left the Gaza tunnel in which he was hiding Saturday and soon thereafter the IDF blew up the car in which he was riding. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday evening, Dec. 13, 2025 Read More »
Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Entrepreneurs, executives, creators, and growth-driven individuals from across the country convened for a rare and integrated journey designed to align internal identity with external results. Unlike traditional conferences that deliver fragmented insights, DeepDive offered a cohesive, holistic experience grounded in a timeless truth deeply echoed in Jewish wisdom: transformation of the outer world begins with refinement of the inner self. [Michael Adam Cohen]
Deep Dive 2025 Speakers Reflected Jewish Wisdom Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
As restaurant owners learned that Jews often eschewed pork, some began to offer traditional dishes with chicken instead – allowing more observant Jews to eat “kosher style,” without eating explicitly forbidden food. Today, there is wide variation in Jewish dietary practices, making Chinese food even more accessible for most Jews. (Samira Mehta)
The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous is distributing $380,000 to economically challenged Righteous Gentiles in nine European countries and Australia who risked their lives saving Jews from the Nazis. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
As I walked in through the entrance near Five Guys Burgers and Fries, I was greeted by a delightful surprise: a Chanukah display set up at the main intersection, right beside the Five Below store. A representative was carefully adding the finishing touches as I passed by. [Cailin Acosta]
Our Shtetl: Chanukah Display at Parkway Plaza Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The French lesson was just coming to an end last Monday morning when I received a call from my Other Half (OH) saying that he had fallen and hurt himself and was waiting for me in the nearby shopping mall. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Husband Receives Emergency Medical Service in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
bout 20 mezuzahs were snatched from the doorways of Jewish apartment tenants this past Sunday in the North York section of Toronto, where a large Jewish community lives, according to reports from The Times of Israel and Canada’s National Post. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Anti-Israel Protesters Resort to Petty Tactics Read More »
Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Torah is not a book of fairy tales in which righteous people live peacefully ever after. The Torah is a book about real life, not life as we wish it to be, but life as we experience it: unpredictable, demanding, confusing, and yet always filled with the possibility of growth. It’s telling us psychology. It’s telling us the story of us. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Vayeshev: Life is How We Interpret It Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors