Tom Metzger, one of the nation’s most notorious white supremacists and anti-Semites, has died, according to a post on his White Aryan Resistance website. He was 82. The post said: “Thomas Linton Metzger, born April 9th, 1938 in Warsaw, Indiana, passed away in Hemet, California, on November 4th, 2020.” [Ken Stone, Times of San Diego]
White Supremacist Tom Metzger dead at 82 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Ken Stone, San Diego County, USA
San Diego City Councilwoman Barbara Bry, conceding she had lost the mayor’s race to Assemblyman Todd Gloria, told a news conference on Zoom Monday that she plans to organize a new political organization to give neighborhoods and residents a stronger voice at City Hall. [Donald H. Harrison]
Bry concedes mayoral race; plans neighborhood political organization Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County
Now that Sara Jacobs has been elected as her successor, retiring Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) says she would like to work in the future either part-time or as a volunteer in the San Diego Jewish community, specifically mentioning her admiration for the work of Jewish Family Service. [Donald H. Harrison]
Retiring Rep. Susan Davis considers possible role with JFS Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, USA
For me, it was symbolic that there was a sudden downpour of rain at approximately 9:30 a.m., PST, an hour after CNN and MSNBC projected Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris to be the President-elect and Vice President-elect of the United States. Having had a long, dry, wildfire-prone season, the rain seemed to be just what we needed to move our city through another period of dangerous weather. And, in my opinion at least, the election of Biden and Harris was what our country needed to get us past growing division and hatred, and onto reconciliation and mutual cooperation. [Donald H. Harrison]
Mazal tov to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
Sara Jacobs, whom unofficial election returns and her opponent’s concession point toward her being our next congresswoman, says the new Administration and the new Congress should seek immediately to pass legislation that will help all Americans recover from the economic and medical impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. [Donald H. Harrison]
Sara Jacobs urges ‘quick impact’ action on COVID Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
The Yiddish Arts and Academics Association of North America (YAAANA) is opening registration for its “Not Your Usual Intensive Winter Yiddish Language and Culture Program.” The first Yiddish winter intensive program in the San Diego area, it will run from December 6-20, 2020 virtually over Zoom. The winter intensive will include language and conversation (shmues) courses, as well as a cultural program, including Yiddish yoga, four different song workshops, and a special event by San Diego’s favorite klezmer musician, Yale Strom. YAAANA hoped to host this program in person, but in keeping with safety guidelines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it moved the programming online. The organization expects that the virtual element to its winter intensive will make it possible for those from all around the world to take advantage of its offerings this winter. The teachers live both locally, in San Diego, and abroad, with instructors Zooming in from such cities as New York, Berlin, England, and Toronto. [YAAANA press release]
YAAANA offers courses on Yiddish language, songs Read More »
Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego CountyJews in San Diego County and around the world are kneading and baking challah dough today (Thursday) in preparation for the celebration of worldwide Shabbat. [Donald H. Harrison]
Readying for Shabbat San Diego & Tapestry Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Marcia Tatz Wollner, the Western Regional Director of March of the Living, urges people to participate in the worldwide “Let There Be Light” project on the evening of Monday, Nov 9, through the early morning hours of Tuesday, Nov. 10. The project commemorates the 82nd anniversary of Kristallnacht, when the Nazi government ordered the destruction of synagogues and Jewish businesses throughout Germany and Austria. [VIDEO story by Sandi Masori]
Speaking out against hate during global Kristallnacht remembrance Nov. 9 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Marcia Tatz Wollner, San Diego County, Sandi MasoriAlthough members of the local San Diego County Jewish community lost more races than they won, the San Diego Jewish community can take pride in Jews serving at nearly every level of government. Sara Jacobs, for example, will replace the retiring Susan Davis, a fellow Democrat, on San Diego County’s congressional delegation. [Donald H. Harrison]
The morning after the election Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
Early returns in local races in San Diego indicated Tuesday night that among 10 Jewish candidates, 4 were successful and 6 were unsuccessful.
Apparent winners with 58.4 percent of all ballots counted showed Sara Jacobs winning handily in the 53rd Congressional District; Bernie Rhinerson easily winning reelection to the San Diego Community College Board; Terra Lawson-Remer defeating Republican incumbent Kristin Gaspar in the 3rd County Supervisorial District, and Sean Elo-Rivera defeating Kelvin Barrios for the 9th District San Diego City Council seat. All these winners are Democrats. [Donald H. Harrison]
4 of 10 local Jewish candidates appear victorious Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
As a young professional transplant and traveler who has lived in various cities, I am constantly on the lookout for new connections and friends. Passionate about all flavors of my Judaism, I often seek out Jewish groups of various denominations. In that exploration, I have come across a sad realization, which is this—in more Orthodox settings, not everyone is treated the same. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me when visiting a new synagogue the very awkward question of “are you Jewish?” or worse “is your mother Jewish?” While I am fortunate to have been raised in a Conservative home and pass the proverbial test, I do sympathize with those who do not. If someone has decided to hold fast to HaShem, what should it matter who their parents were? [Teresa Konopka]
Acceptance for Jews by choice Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, USA
This year’s Tapestry, sponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s JLearn, promises to be more diverse, exciting and interesting than ever before. Experts have been tapped from all over the world to contribute to this extraordinary Jewish Learning event.
The first session, the keynote address on Saturday evening, November 7, at 7:30 p.m., will feature David Meltzer, named one of Forbes’ 10 best Motivational Speakers. Meltzer will discuss how to “Stabilize Your Mindset and Stay Grounded. Focus on Your Core Values Through a Jewish Lens. “ [Eileen Wingard]
Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USAWe do not know the names of every member of our Jewish community who is running for a public office in San Diego County. While we are aware of those running for major offices at the federal, state, county, and San Diego city, community college and school board levels, we are unfamiliar with those who might be running in outlying cities or for the other school boards and special districts throughout our region.
So, what follows is not a comprehensive list, nor is it an indication of San Diego Jewish World’s endorsements. [Donald H. Harrison]
Minyan of Jewish candidates on S.D. County ballots Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
Sarah Golembsky and her family hoped to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with a trip to Israel, but like many other B’nai Mitzvah, the pandemic made it impossible for her celebration to go as planned. She had to get creative. Sara and her family didn’t want to miss out on the Israel experience, so they did the next best thing: a live tour to Jerusalem and the Kotel through StandWithUs Discover. Virtual tours of Israel are one of the many educational opportunities offered to B’nai Mitzvah as part of a new StandWithUs B’nai Mitzvah Project initiative. [StandWithUs]
For Bat Mitzvah, she traveled to Israel virtually Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA