USA

Judaism in Colonial America Pictured in Story Book about Sukkot

In this story, Papa who has been traveling on business in Europe sends a letter to his wife and children, Aaron and Leah, that he has purchased in Corsica a beautiful etrog (citron), and that he hopes to be home in time for the High Holy Days.  However, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur go by and he still hasn’t arrived.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Schumer’s Challenge to Courts Should Inspire Mothers in Child Custody Cases

Specifically, children are dying because the courts are proving, in case after case, that they are giving custody of young children to men who are active drug-users, and alcoholics, while also being violent and sexually and physically abusive to their young children. [Amy Neustein and Michelle Etlin]

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Amy Neustein, California, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Derecho’ Dramatizes Conflict Between Assimilation and Loyalty to Immigrant Culture

Playwright Noelle Viñas tells of the struggle of first-generation American Eugenia (Ashley Alvarez) to balance her desire for upward mobility and achieving the American dream against her responsibility to her people and heritage, especially as she prepares to run for local office.  [Sandi Masori]

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

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Josh Shapiro

He ‍is ‍a ‍strong ‍supporter ‍of ‍Israel ‍but ‍very ‍critical ‍of ‍the ‍leadership ‍of ‍Prime ‍Minister ‍Benjamin ‍Netanyahu. ‍What ‍is ‍one ‍example ‍of ‍social ‍justice ‍and ‍political ‍leadership ‍that ‍Shapiro ‍showed ‍when ‍he ‍was ‍still ‍young?  [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Former San Diegan Fashioned Simone Biles’ Goat Necklace

She founded and operates her own business, Janet Heller Fine Jewelry, specializing in custom pieces. She doesn’t consider herself and artisan but rather a person with the ability to transform vision into story through jewelry, with meticulous skill and precision. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Woeful News from Israel; Mixed News from Olympics and at Home

This week, I found my attention torn in so many directions. We marked the unthinkable 300th day of war in Israel since October 7 and the heartbreaking 300th day of captivity for the remaining hostages. The terrible attack in Majdal Shams, the increasingly tense situation in the North of Israel, and our own divisive election cycle competed for views with the pageantry, patriotism, and moments of incredible athleticism of the Olympics. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Tifereth Israel Chooses Hanan Leberman as Its Next Rabbi

Tifereth Israel Synagogue announced Thursday that Rabbi Hanan Leberman will be its new rabbi. The Lebermans will pack up their home in Israel and plan to arrive in San Diego in September, just in time to lead the High Holy Day Services. The announcement indicated that Leberman will bring innovative ideas and ruach (spirit) to the Conservative congregation while incorporating the best of the synagogue’s traditions. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Symbiotic Relationship of Music in Our Two Countries

Songs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dust in the Wind” opened me up to a much greater world and introduced me to the power of lyrics, offering a wider outlook on life. For instance, the first time I heard the lyric from Kansas, “Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea, all we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see,” I was struck by its beauty and depth. [Shahar Masori]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Lynching of Sonya Massey’s Ancestor Stirred Jewish Community to Social Action and NAACP Formation

By Barrett Holman Leak SAN DIEGO — There is deep grief, shock and trauma right now over the fatal police shooting in Springfield, Illinois of 36-year-old Sonya Massey — in her own home, after calling police for help. The nation is traumatized and angry. Calls for justice abound. What people know is the details of

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

After a Century of Jewish Camping, 2024 Challenges are Unique

This summer, camps are navigating a shaky landscape transformed by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack and Israel’s response: deciding whether and how to discuss the war in Gaza, fears of antisemitism in the U.S., and political debates about Israel. [Jonathan Krasner]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Eight Israeli Professors to Teach at Local Universities

The Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative (MGSDII) has announced eight renowned Israeli professors who will participate in one-year teaching appointments at San Diego universities during the 2024-25 school year. They each bring deep expertise and will teach in diverse disciplines, including foreign policy, law, history, communications, economics, environmental health, and film. [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Kosher Wines: The Talk of the Podcast

Starting in Manhattan, kosher wine lovers held monthly meetings called Rosh Chodesh Clubs (RCC). Club members would each bring a bottle of a delicious kosher wine to share with others. The wines had to be of a minimum age, and considered high quality, before they were permitted into club tastings. As the idea caught on, the clubs soon incorporated the idea of adding gourmet chefs to their evening festivities. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA