Barrett Holman Leak

Inside a national conference to revive the Black/ Jewish alliance

From October 12 to 14, nearly 200 Black Christian, Black Jewish (like me), and Jewish leaders—including rabbis, ministers, organizers, philanthropists, artists, educators, Hillel student leaders, and representatives from national organizations like the AJC, the ADL and Hillel International—convened at the JW Marriott for a historic national summit hosted by the Exodus Leadership Forum. (Barrett Holman Leak)

Inside a national conference to revive the Black/ Jewish alliance Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Admirers, family, friends celebrate the life of Edith Eva Eger, Ph.D.

“Free yourself from the concentration camp of your own mind. The key is in your pocket, and the key is courage.” — Dr. Edith Eger

Admirers, family, friends celebrate the life of Edith Eva Eger, Ph.D. Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

PEN America president’s resignation is in service to BDS movement

He argued that by defending Jewish writers against coordinated cultural boycotts, the organization was unethically restricting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which he views as constitutionally protected political speech. [Barrett Holman Leak]

PEN America president’s resignation is in service to BDS movement Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Women of Color to enjoy a retreat in Escondido

It is precisely against this backdrop of collective trauma that the JOC Women’s Retreat 2026: A Joyful, Restorative Retreat for Jewish Women of Color becomes essential. Scheduled midweek from August 25–27, 2026, this gathering offers a vital time away—a dedicated space to heal, relax, and build spiritual resilience. (Barrett Holman Leak)

Jewish Women of Color to enjoy a retreat in Escondido Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

The Shema and the Obama Presidential Center

It isn’t a stuffy monument. It is now the only presidential center – a place inviting people to participate not simply in remembering the past but to actively take part in the present and to create a future in that space. [Barrett Holman Leak]

The Shema and the Obama Presidential Center Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Juneteenth has deep meaning, especially for someone born Black and Jewish

To be a person of African heritage and a Jewess is to hold a deep, ancestral understanding of what it means to be pulled from the depths, to celebrate a hard-won liberty, and to remain fiercely determined to stay free. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Juneteenth has deep meaning, especially for someone born Black and Jewish Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Spider-Noir’s’ deep Jewish and San Diego roots

Tthe premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s new live-action series “Spider-Noir” proves that the two are inextricably linked. Dropping its entire eight-episode first season on Wednesday May 27, 2026, the series arrived as a cinematic triumph that can be watched in standard color or a gorgeous, authentic, high-contrast black-and-white film noir cut that honors the golden age of cinema. (Barrett Holman Leak)

Spider-Noir’s’ deep Jewish and San Diego roots Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Tchotchkes: Why we cling to the things with no use

Psychologists who study material culture suggest that tchotchkes function as “externalized memory drives.” In a fast-moving world, our brains are notoriously unreliable narrators. We forget the exact smell of the salt air on a vacation from 2012; we forget the specific cadence of a late-night conversation with an old friend. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Tchotchkes: Why we cling to the things with no use Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

This is America – and we are not alright

He came rushing in, a foot taller than me, much heavier and wider than me, angrily screaming that I was a f*** b****** and that we (Jews) are all f*** b***s and murderers That we had murdered his grandfather, his grandparents. I had just unlocked the House of Israel in Balboa Park last Saturday to prepare for my volunteer staffing shift. I had not expected a rage-filled Palestinian man to burst in, screaming at me. I was cornered behind the counter with him making antisemitic comments … [Barrett Holman Leak]

This is America – and we are not alright Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Education and collaboration are crucial in fighting antisemitism

One of the workshops that I attended on media advocacy called for the same courage. Led by two men named Noah, they shared their personal and professional experiences in dealing with antisemitism. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Education and collaboration are crucial in fighting antisemitism Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Contemporary Torah: The sacred architecture of silence

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, step forward with their own fire pans, offering “strange fire” (esh zarah) which God had not commanded. Within seconds, they are dead. The music stops. The joy evaporates. In the center of the camp, there is only smoke and a father staring at the bodies of his sons. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Contemporary Torah: The sacred architecture of silence Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Black/ Jewish solidarity required to defeat racism, antisemitism

While the national media often treats the intersection of Black and Jewish identities as a modern novelty, the history of Jews of Color in the Americas is centuries deep. Long before the term “bridge-building” became a social justice buzzword, individuals were living at this intersection, weaving together the traditions of two resilient peoples. I am one of them. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Black/ Jewish solidarity required to defeat racism, antisemitism Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA