Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Selective Jewish support for Republicans

Such frustration can only reflect the feelings of American Jews who fall into the center-left category. We mainly vote for Democrats because they consistently press for social reforms while supporting Israel. This allows for legitimate criticism of the Jewish state. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Washington’s Promise, America’s Test

It was a promise. A compact between our early nation and its Jewish citizens: equal opportunity and liberty defended for all. I’ve been thinking about this promise as we observe Presidents’ Day this year, especially as antisemitism has intensified these past few years. [Jonathan Greenblatt]

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Antisemitism, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Historic Knesset Assembly Unites ‘3+1’ Allies Against Turkish Aggression

For the first time in history, the Israeli Knesset gathered representatives from four legislative bodies to meet as a unified assembly dedicated to a strategic objective: building the Eastern Mediterranean “3+1″ partnership and containing Turkey, the region’s chief geopolitical adversary. [PRESS RELEASE]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parashat Mishpatim – We Wander, Wing It, and Wonder Why We’re Late

Parashat Mishpatim shows how lofty spiritual experiences can become daily living. After the thunder and awe of Sinai in last week’s parasha, the Torah now turns to the details of life: laws of justice, business ethics, personal responsibility, compassion, and integrity. No fewer than fifty-three mitzvot appear here, teaching that holiness is built not only through inspiration, but through conduct. [Michael Mantell, PhD]

Parashat Mishpatim – We Wander, Wing It, and Wonder Why We’re Late Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

REVIEW: Black and Jewish: An Interwoven History, Pt 2

In the early 20th century, the established “White Anglo-Saxon Protestant” (WASP) elite viewed the motion picture industry as a tawdry, low-brow form of entertainment, largely disdaining it as a “gutter profession.” [Barrett Holman Leak]

REVIEW: Black and Jewish: An Interwoven History, Pt 2 Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, California, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Rabbi Jason Nevarez’s thoughts on Bad Bunny’s resonating message during the Super Bowl halftime perfomance

Benito is from Vega Baja – the very same town my father and family come from – so this was very personal for me. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]

Rabbi Jason Nevarez’s thoughts on Bad Bunny’s resonating message during the Super Bowl halftime perfomance Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

The Jewish People: Myth or reality? A lie with a purpose

While the Prime Minister is in Washington fighting for Israel’s survival, it is crucial to remember that the Jewish people’s attachment to their tiny land was continuous, documented, and unmatched by any competing national claim. It was also legally recognized. Opinion. [Alex Grobman]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl: Super Bowl is over, now onto the Winter Olympics

As we finish up all the Super Bowl treats, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, have started and will continue for two weeks.
There are 16 Jewish and Israeli athletes to keep an eye on in the next two weeks. [Cailin Acosta]

Our Shtetl: Super Bowl is over, now onto the Winter Olympics Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Day School and Yeshiva Heads From Around the Country Gather in Houston for Prizmah Retreat

Amid a continued surge in enrollment for Jewish day schools across the U.S. and Canada, 100 heads of school met in Houston for their exclusive biennial retreat, hosted by Prizmah, the network for Jewish day schools. [PRESS RELEASE]

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Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

AJC Report: After Violent Antisemitic Attacks, 91% of American Jews Feel Less Safe

American Jewish Committee’s State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report found that the vast majority (91%) of American Jews say they feel less safe as a Jewish person in the United States as a result of the arson attack during Passover on the Pennsylvania Governor’s residence, the murders of Sarah Milgrim (z”l) and Yaron Lischinsky (z”l) outside the Capital Jewish Museum following an AJC event, and the firebombing of a Boulder, CO, march in support of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. [PRESS RELEASE]

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Antisemitism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Meta Expands Partnership with World Jewish Congress to Provide Reliable Holocaust Information Across Its Platforms

The World Jewish Congress (WJC) today welcomed the expansion of its partnership with Meta Platforms to provide social media users with reliable, authoritative information about the Holocaust across its core applications. [PRESS RELEASE]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

Parshat Mishpatim 2026

This week’s Torah portion focuses on an old but familiar theme: the social laws known as Mishpatim.  In this Parsha, we discover that the God of Exodus is the God of history and of political liberation more than he is the God of nature. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Parshat Mishpatim 2026 Read More »

Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Does a vegetarian upbringing stunt growth? Israeli study suggests not

While the global shift toward plant-based living continues to accelerate, a critical question has lingered for parents and pediatricians: Can a vegan or vegetarian diet support the rapid growth required in the first two years of life? [Ben Gurion University Negev]

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International, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

Rep. Sara Jacobs: Did you change your name when you got married?

In the U.S., eight in 10 women who marry change their last name. That means there are more than 60 million women in this country whose birth certificates may not have their current legal last names — and thanks to legislation the GOP is pushing this week, that could put their voter registration at risk. [Sara Jacobs]

Rep. Sara Jacobs: Did you change your name when you got married? Read More »

Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA