San Diego County

OpEd: Value of Israeli Professors on U.S. College Campuses

Since October, some of these objections to the academic study of Israel have escalated to soft boycotts sometimes led by professors in important departments related to the study of modern Israel and to current events. At the same time, students across the board have expressed increased desire to learn about Israel and the region. Registration in Israel-related courses, including courses taught by MGSDII professors is at its highest levels ever. [Susan Lapidus]

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Ben Dishman, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Busy July at the Congregations and Other Jewish Venues

July will be a busy month at various Jewish congregations around the county.  Other Jewish venues will also be busy with programming.  Here’s lookahead. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Vandals Spray 5 Parked Cars with Swastikas in El Cajon

El Cajon Police Department is investigating a troubling string of hate crime vandalism that occurred on June 27 between 1:30 and 3 a.m. on June 27 in the 1300 block of Greenfield Drive. Five parked vehicles were spray-painted with swastikas and hate slogans, including gay and anti-Arab slurs, 10 News reports. [East County Magazine]

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Antisemitism, San Diego County

Pomegranate Restaurant Has Dream-Worthy Chicken Dish

When we asked her what the best Georgian dishes on the menu were, she recommended the Chakhokhbili – which they called Georgean Eagle in the menu – It’s a Georgean chicken stew with tomatoes, basil, parsley, mint and cilantro. And the Chakapuli – which is a Georgian lamb shank stew with white wine, sour plum, onions, tarragon. Both were delicious. [Sandi Masori]

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International, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

SDJA Students Return from Tours of Poland, Israel

“Being here and seeing how many people are affected by Yom HaZikaron, how everyone knows someone who is fighting or has fought in the Israeli Defense Forces themselves…to see then how that commitment translates to a passion for the country on Yom Ha’atzmaut was really special.” [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

‘Beauty Queen’ Wonderfully Acted, But Not My Favorite Type of Entertainment

Backyard Renaissance theater often picks plays that make you think or question your perceptions. Its printed program describes this as “art to the gut.” The current production, The Beauty Queen of Leenane is a good example of that. [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Dog Days of Summer’ About the Heavens, Not About Pooches

Are we in the “dog days of summer?” According to History.com, the phrase has nothing to do with dogs barking or panting in the oppressive heat. It referred to the ancient civilizations that tracked the seasons by looking at the sky. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

OpEd: Pro-Israel Volunteers Needed to Counter Paid Pro-Hamas Students

Since when do college kids want to sit through hours of boring meetings? Then I found out, they get paid for their “activism.” Amnesty International is one such employer as this advertisement posted in Seattle, Washington, demonstrates. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Finding Lots of Jewish Stories at San Diego County Fair

The Acosta family set out on Friday to conquer the San Diego County Fair. We arrived and were on a scavenger hunt to find hidden Jewish items. We laced up our running/walking shoes, filled up our water bottles, cellphones all charged and were ready to take on the challenge. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Emotional Times Take Toll; Rabbi Mathew Marko Resigns Tifereth Israel Synagogue Pulpit

This weekend Rabbi Mathew Marko will lead his last Shabbat services as the spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. He resigned at the two-year mark of a three-year contract. His explanation, in a letter to the Conservative synagogue’s congregants, should help us understand how sometimes life brings extraordinary pressures and stresses upon a congregational rabbi. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Federation of San Diego Meets the Moment

This year marked the dividing line of this generation: before October 7 and after. Thanks to a strong national Federation system, powerful ties with international and local partners, a deep relationship with Sha’ar HaNegev, and a robust Community Security Initiative, we met the moment, and we continue to do in so many ways, both here in San Diego and in Israel. {Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA