Travel and Food

Parsha Beshalach: You don’t have to be fearless, just faithful

Faith alone is not enough; it must be translated into action. The sea did not split until someone, Nachshon ben Aminadav, stepped forward. The manna did not nourish spiritually unless the people learned to gather it according to Hashem’s law, even when it felt illogical or inconvenient. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Opinion: Parking fees at Balboa Park work against the attractions

By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California Recently, San Diego’s historic Balboa Park has started charging for parking, which has caused an uproar among many residents who have enjoyed parking for free and spending time at the park’s museums, restaurants, theaters, and gardens. I have a membership at the Mingei International Museum where children under

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Feeling pride as I parade the Torah through my congregation

I am always so humbled and honored to be asked and trusted to carry such a sacred possession through the aisles as people kiss their siddurim (prayer books) or tallits (prayer shawls) and touch them to the Torah. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Tale of an oleh: A satisfying life in two countries

I met the most wonderful girl in San Diego. We were married in June 1968. Together we decided our home would be kept Kosher. Being strictly kosher wasn’t a realistic option on a US Navy ship. Some of you know that I was talking with Madeline and said “We will live in Israel after I leave the Navy. Oh, and by the way, Will you marry me?” She agreed. When she was asked, later, about what brought her to Israel, her reply was always “Not what, but who.” [Aryeh Wetherhorn]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jews in the news: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026

American-Israeli Rabbi Hanan Leberman of Tifereth Israel Synagogue was disinvited from delivering a closing message at the All People’s Breakfast in Balboa Park that will honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, Jan. 19, causing shock, outrage, and protest from San Diego’s Jewish community. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Jewish Federation offers tips for standing up to antisemitism

Jewish Federation of San Diego launched its “Standing Up to Antisemitism Toolkit, an online resource to help individuals respond to antisemitism, report incidents, and empower them to take meaningful action across San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, set ablaze

An arsonist set Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, ablaze, approximately at 3 am. Saturday morning when the building was unoccupied, but the damage was extensive. Two Torah scrolls were destroyed, and five others were damaged. A Holocaust Torah on display behind a glass case was still intact. Police said they have detained a suspect, whom they have not yet identified.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

New Programs at JFS: Nourish San Diego and Center for Jewish Wellbeing

We will launch our Center for Jewish Wellbeing, led by Shira Jacobs; expand support for healthy aging, behavioral health for tweens, teens, and young adults; and promote education that strengthens healthy relationships. We will continue to care for more than 500 Holocaust Survivors, ensuring their access to healthy nutrition, housing, home care, and community. [Dana Toppel]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

‘If you see something, say something.’ I did

I called the non-emergency line and described what I saw, and police arrived in minutes to search the teens and confiscate their items and the BB gun they threw over the fence. It seemed that they were all instructed to leave, as no one was arrested. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

‘Emma’ and ‘Noah’ most popular names for newborns in San Diego County

The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office has released the top 10 baby names for 2025, based on birth records filed throughout San Diego County. The list reflects both enduring favorites and the county’s rich cultural diversity, highlighting the names parents most often chose for their newborns last year. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Jewish political briefing: Saturday evening, Jan. 3, 2026

The United States’ surprise capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores early Saturday morning generated both negative and supportive statements from Jewish officeholders around the world. The Maduros were put aboard the amphibius assault ship USS Iwo Jima and then an airplane for a trip to New York where they will face charges of trafficking drugs, especially cocaine and fentanyl, to the United States. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

A trip to Chile and spreading the light here in San Diego

[A]s the plane took off for Santiago, a young family in the row across from us brought out electric candles and began singing the holiday blessings with their toddlers. We sang along, and everyone wished each other a chag sameach. The mother looked over at me and said, “We all need to do everything we can to bring light into the world today.” I felt a weight lift, and off we went. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food