San Diego County

San Diego mosque attackers influenced by online extremism

A review by the ADL Center on Extremism of the killers’ apparent respective manifestos reveals adherence to several ideologies, most prominently white supremacist accelerationism and inceldom, as well as virulent Islamophobia and antisemitism. Their writings, which have been shared on gore sites like WatchPeopleDie (WPD), also illustrate general misanthropy and an immersion in online nihilistic violent extremist (NVE) ecosystems. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, San Diego County, Technology, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish daughter pays tribute to her late ‘Show Biz’ mom Terry Miller

My mom loved to be silly and was able to find humor in most situations. After she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in January 2022, she asked, “How did these cancer cells get to all these other parts of my body? Are they, like, campers hiking around and setting up campsites roasting marshmallows around a fire? Wouldn’t that be a funny sketch?” [Amanda Miller]

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Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Federation’s Heidi Gantwerk traveled to D.C. to lobby for more money for security of religious institutions

We have long believed that security cannot be an afterthought for any community of faith — and today is a devastating reminder that this reality extends to every house of worship in our city and across the country. That is why we are in Washington fighting for resources that protect communities like the one attacked today. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

5 die in aftermath of gunfire at Islamic Center of San Diego

Five people are dead, including suspected teenage shooters Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez in the wake of an attack on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Two of the other three victims were not immediately identified, but one was security guard Amin Abdullah whom law enforcement officials said may have prevented a much larger death toll. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Devorah Marcus, 13 others, honored at California Capitol

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contributions Jewish Americans have made to our state and nation, while also reflecting on the values that have sustained our community across generations – our commitment to justice, learning, service, and repairing the world,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. [Press Release]

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California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Seussical the Musical is ‘pleasure-ical’ but arts funding is not

The fun and spectacle of the show were tempered a bit by proprietors Erin and Gary Lewis’ announcement that due to their funding being cancelled by the City of San Diego as part of the sweeping cuts to the arts and culture budget, they need to raise $100,000 or the next show, Rock of Ages won’t be staged. [Sandi Masori]

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

UCSD panel on antisemitism provided valuable information

The extra security at the event made it clear why many academics and administrators might refuse such an elephantine gift: the dangers of conflict and protest on our campuses could far outweigh the benefit of an academic panel discussion. [Eran A. Mukamel]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The importance of Jewish camping

Long before phrases like “immersive engagement” and “experiential Judaism” became common communal language, Jewish camp was already doing that work. Camp created environments where Judaism was not confined to a classroom or a single hour each week. Judaism became woven into the rhythm of daily life through songs, Shabbat under the stars, Hebrew cheers, Israeli dancing, storytelling, friendship, color wars, mentorship, and shared memories that would last a lifetime. [Betzy Lynch]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The coming of Shavuot spawns many local celebrations

The seven weeks of counting the Omer are coming to an end soon, and we celebrate with receiving the Torah on Shavuot. Many celebrations include dairy products. Many celebrations include dairy products.  The Israelites didn’t have time that night to kasher their non-dairy foods. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Sara Jacobs introduces House resolution to end the war in Iran

Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Every day this unnecessary, reckless war continues is another day that my constituents who are deployed to Iran are in harm’s way and at risk of losing their lives. Our service members deserve better than to be treated as expendable – and so do the American people who are being forced to pay over $1 billion per day for this military adventurism. …” [Press Release]

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Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Grossmont College exhibit highlights Holocaust survivors who made their homes in San Diego County

Every survivor’s story is unique, each one a miraculous testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. Holocaust survivors have spent decades rebuilding their lives in the United States — raising families, starting successful businesses, and daring to celebrate life again after unimaginable loss. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA