Comprised of the more advanced seventh- and eighth-grade musicians, the orchestra performed a medley titled “Chanukah Holiday,” weaving together the “Dreidel Song,” “Tum Balalaika”, and “O Chanukah.” [Cailin Acosta]
La Mesa Arts Academy Concert Features a Chanukah Medley Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Herzog commented: “The rise in Jew hatred across the world is a global emergency. The battle against antisemitism, must be everyone’s battle against antisemitism. This is an urgent call to action to prevent the next catastrophe.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In that moment, I heard an ancient Jewish truth echoing forward: wisdom is not speed. Wisdom is presence. Chochmah without binah is incomplete. Intelligence is not merely how fast the mind moves, but how deeply the soul is engaged. [Michael Adam Cohen]
A Powerful 3 Days in Rancho Bernardo with Supportive Friends Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss with U.S. President Donald Trump the danger posed by Iran’s ballistic missile and renewed nuclear programs. At the two leaders’ upcoming meeting at the end of this month, Netanyahu will suggest joint action to eliminate the threat, according to a story in The Times of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 20, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Australia’s Prime Minister attended a ceremony in Sydney’s Great Synagogue memorializing the 15 people slain in the attack on the first night of Chanukah. All 15 have now been identified as Matilda, 10, and adults Edith Brutman, Dan Elkayam, Boris Gutman, Sofia Gurman, Alex Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Peter Meagher, Reuven Morrison, Marika Pogany, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Adam Smyth, Tania Tretiak, Boris Tetleroyd, and Tibor Weitzen. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I was surprised the other day when I was attending a doctor’s appointment with a friend and told the checkout staff ‘happy holidays’ as we left. They stared at me and said, “Thank you, you were the first patient to say that to us all day.” I looked at my watch, and it was after 4 p.m. [Cailin Acosta]
Prayers and Cheerful Greetings Should Not Be Confined to This Time of Year Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
By Donald H. Harrison in San Diego We encourage our readers to follow the links below to the stories that attract their interest. INTERNATIONAL The Bondi Beach massacre in which 15 innocents were murdered on the first day of Chanukah has had repercussions in Australia and around the world. Australian Jewish News reports that Australia’s
Jewish Political Briefing: Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a booth sponsored by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in front of Swami’s Café. Staffed by AJC board members and youth leaders, the booth offered hands-on education about Chanukah, including lessons on how to play dreidel. Regional Director Sara Brown shared that La Mesa Vice Mayor Lauren Cazares personally invited AJC to participate and even stopped by the booth to celebrate with them. [Cailin Acosta]
Chanukah Receives Exposure in La Mesa Village’s Annual Celebration Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) reported on Wednesday that it and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism sent a team that arrived in Sydney on Tuesday that included “Israeli experts in trauma response, mass-casualty events, and community recovery, with extensive experience supporting communities following extreme incidents and in developing long-term resilience strategies. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Sitting at the meeting table at the end of the office, I asked where my representative was, and the staffer told me that Jacobs is only there when she has to vote. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Appointment with Rep. Sara Jacobs Really Means Meeting with Her Staff Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, California, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Tuesday that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of the slain Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner will be charged with their murder. He said, “Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Tuesday, Dec. 16 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
I say once again: Jews around the world, and right here in San Diego, have the absolute right to feel safe and to be safe. We should not have to hide our joy, move our celebrations indoors, or “tone it down” to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Law Enforcement Officials Pledge Protection for S.D. Chanukah Events Read More »
Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
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