Joe Gandelman

Joe Gandelman

Joe Gandelman is the editor of The Moderate Voice website.  A former reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune, Joe also is a well-known ventriloquist who performs with his dummies all over North America.

Despite Organizer’s COVID Absence, Chanukah Celebration Goes On

Even the most thought-out plans can be derailed by a last-minute change, especially when a leader falls ill. This wasn’t true for the Chabad of East County on Sunday, Nov. 28, though, as they pulled off their first night of Hanukkah event at the El Cajon Civic Center without a hitch, despite the absence of Rabbi Rafi Andrusier and his wife Chaya, who tested positive for COVID-19 the day before.  [Elijah McKee, East County Magazine]

Despite Organizer’s COVID Absence, Chanukah Celebration Goes On Read More »

Jewish Religion, Joe Gandelman, San Diego County

Author Alleges Trump Praised Hitler

It’s a comment Jews sometimes hear from people who are antisemitic when Adolf Hitler’s name comes up: “Hitler did a lot of good things,” often said by folks who downplay or with unpure motives “balance” the fact of the Holocaust. There are a slew of new books coming out with revelations about the Trump administration — and an upcoming one quotes then-President Donald Trump as saying: “Well, Hitler did a lot good things,” shocking his then-Chief of Staff John Kelly, a retired US Marine Corps general. [Joe Gandelman]

Author Alleges Trump Praised Hitler Read More »

International, Jewish History, Joe Gandelman, USA

Some of the websites I like to read

In today’s column, I would like to share with you current editions of websites that I routinely visit as I familiarize myself with Jewish news from around the world.  If you have the time and inclination, I’m certain that the hard-working staffs who publish these websites would very much welcome your readership and support, as, of course, do I. [Donald H. Harrison]

Some of the websites I like to read Read More »

Chris Jennewein, Donald H. Harrison, Joe Gandelman, Ken Stone, Michael Ordman, Miriam Raftery

Israeli Memorial Day rites include Poway’s Lori Kaye

The name of slain Lori Gilbert Kaye, who died a year ago during a gunman’s attack on Chabad of Poway, was linked Monday in Latrun, Israel, to the names of Israel’s fallen soldiers during an annual Yom Hizakron (Day of Memory) ceremony. To view the entire ceremony on Facebook, click here. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Israeli Memorial Day rites include Poway’s Lori Kaye Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Joe Gandelman, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Some advice about school bullying

Melissa Rubenstein Levin, who worked for Drasnin Communications in San Diego from 2000 to 2002, is now based in Houston, where she is handling publicity for IndieFlix. That production company recently issued three films.  Angst, which includes an interview with Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, deals with understanding anxiety disorders; Like “explores the impact of social media on our lives and the effects of technology on the brain,” and The Upstanders, which I recently watched, “explores cyber-bullying,” as can be seen in the trailer above. [Our Shtetl San Diego County by Donald H. Harrison]

Some advice about school bullying Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Joe Gandelman, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jewish Genealogists plan August gathering in San Diego

Coronavirus pandemic permitting, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies plans to hold its 40th international conference at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel and Marina from August 9-14 with 110 speakers delivering some 250 presentations “on just about every aspect of Jewish genealogy,” according to Sandra Golden, the association’s publicity chair. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Genealogists plan August gathering in San Diego Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Joe Gandelman, San Diego County

Chula Vista rabbi offers ‘Gentle Judaic Wisdom’

Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel of Congregation Beth Shalom in Chula Vista is one of the most erudite pulpit rabbis in San Diego County, having written numerous books on the Jewish religion and on such Torah commentators at Philo and Maimonides. [Donald H. Harrison]

Chula Vista rabbi offers ‘Gentle Judaic Wisdom’ Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Joe Gandelman, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County

Ten reasons for the demise of the Shah of Iran

Untethered The True Children of Cyrus By Joe Gandelman Editor-in-Chief, The Moderate Voice SAN DIEGO — There is a moment in 1974’s Godfather 2 when Michael Corleone sees the determination of Fidel Castro-led rebel forces. The scene is quick and later Michael notes it to the ill-fated crime bigwig Hyman Roth: “I saw an interesting

Ten reasons for the demise of the Shah of Iran Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Joe Gandelman, Middle East