La Jolla, California, based public relations executive Jacob Kamaras is a former editor-in-chief of the Jewish News Syndicate (JNS). He is an active member at Adat Yeshurun Synagogue.
By Jacob Kamaras After using “Hanukkah” so far this holiday season—as I’ve used throughout my journalistic career, in line with AP style—on Monday I was informed by our founder and editor emeritus, Don Harrison, that we’ve used “Chanukah” over the years.” San Diego Jewish World will now be switching back to Chanukah. But remember, ultimately, […]
How Do You Spell Chanukah? (Hanukkah?) Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion
By Jacob Kamaras SAN DIEGO — Israeli representatives from the Sha’ar HaNegev region got a firsthand look at the American Jewish day school landscape last Wednesday as part of their six-day visit to San Diego. During a tour of the San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA), Sha’ar HaNegev delegation member Tzachi Levy said he was struck
By Jacob Kamaras SAN DIEGO — San Diegans in search of a unique blend of tradition, modernity, and creativity can find it at Gold Finch, the recently opened quick-service delicatessen and full-service restaurant in Torrey Pines. The menu is a nod to the childhood memories of owner Tracy Borkum, who grew up in London’s Jewish
Gold Finch Deli Strikes Artful Balance Between Tradition and Modernity Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Travel and Food
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California (JNS) — On Oct. 27, the fourth anniversary of the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, hatred of Jews was a palpably inescapable reality in America—from the Kanye West scandal, to a series of antisemitic incidents in Los Angeles, to the discourse
Abraham Accords-Focused NGO Plans to Combat Jew-Hatred with Holocaust Education Read More »
California, Holocaust, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — Fabienne Perlov, who on Monday assumes the position of regional director at the Anti-Defamation League’s San Diego office, brings an approach shaped by diplomacy and diversity to a high-profile organization known locally and nationally for combating antisemitism and all forms of hate. In her first media interview pertaining
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — Amid a return to relative normalcy following two-and-a-half years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla is growing its community through what Rabbi Daniel Reich calls the “three Fs” — family, friends, and faith. “People are not feeling connected on a spiritual level and to
Congregation Adat Yeshurun Grows Through Spiritual Connection, ‘Cohesive Diversity’ Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — First, there was the Revolutionary War’s “shot heard ’round the world” in 1775. Then, there was Bobby Thomson’s shot heard ’round the world to win the 1951 National League pennant for the New York Giants. But for San Diego Jewish World this past year, the focus has been
The Dollar Heard ’Round the World Has Finally Changed Hands Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Opinion, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — It’s relatively rare for the top lay leader of a Jewish organization with national or continental reach to be based on the West Coast, let alone in San Diego. That makes the leadership trajectory at the JCC Association of North America all the more unique. In late May,
San Diego Finds Itself at the Center of the Jewish Community Center Universe Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — San Diego Jewish World will honor its founder and Editor Emeritus Donald Harrison as well as Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO of the influential Israel education organization StandWithUs, at the publication’s inaugural gala on Sunday, July 31, at 4:30 p.m. in La Jolla. Harrison — a veteran journalist
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — For the average New York transplant (or any baseball fan) living in San Diego, the first thing that comes to mind upon the mention of outfielder Darryl Strawberry or pitcher Dwight “Doc” Gooden is each player’s time with both the New York Mets and New York Yankees franchises
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — Michael Rabin — beloved son, brother, friend, and community member — passed away on May 14 at home in La Jolla. He was 42. Born in Seattle on October 18, 1979, Michael was arguably best known for his vibrant, inimitable, unforgettable smile — a smile that made countless
In Memoriam: Michael Rabin, 42 Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras (JNS) With the latest wave of Palestinian terrorism, the tensions that surround the Temple Mount and the firestorm of unverified allegations against Israel that followed the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, the leadup to this year’s observance of Jerusalem Day on May 28-29 has been tumultuous. Yet as they
From Jerusalem to Shusha: Jewish and Muslim Allies Can Stand Together Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Jacob Kamaras L’Chaim Magazine LA JOLLA, California — Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic with renewed energy, Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla this month will host “Breath of Fresh Aire,” the synagogue’s first in-person gala event since 2019. Long known for its welcoming atmosphere of caring and spiritual growth, one of San Diego’s premier
La Jolla’s Adat Yeshurun Keen on Communal Growth Ahead of ‘Breath of Fresh Aire’ Gala Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras Times of San Diego LA JOLLA, California — By finding at least one Jewish story at every exit from the Mexican border to Old Town San Diego, veteran journalist Donald H. Harrison’s book Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5 transforms the West Coast’s main north-south highway into a treasure trove of
New Book Stops ‘Exit by Exit’ Along I-5 to Recount Jewish Experience in San Diego Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish History, San Diego County