AAA-Writers and photographers

Below are the names of writers who are currently active.  For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com

Mamdani commemorates ‘Nakba Day’

Nakba Day is the silliest, most childlike excuse ever created to explain away defeat in war. Most nations and peoples who are vanquished take their losses in a saddened, subdued manner. The less said the better. The Arabs would proclaim it from the highest of their tall, looming minarets, where Muslims make the call to prayer five times a day. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Mamdani commemorates ‘Nakba Day’ Read More »

Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Children’s book presents Jewish legend of 15th Century Spain

This historical fiction novel explores the lives of Jews in 15th-century Spain through the perspective of a young girl named Loma (Paloma) and the struggles faced by her family. The author researched her own Spanish Jewish heritage, which inspired her to write this novel, suitable for children ages 8–11.
[Cailin Acosta]

Children’s book presents Jewish legend of 15th Century Spain Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An echo from the past

As I read the message the memory of the composer, Verdina Shlonsky, and her articles about French composers she had known in Paris, came flooding back. I recalled her as a kind, elderly lady who lived in a small apartment on the top floor of an old Tel Aviv building with virtually no furniture other than a piano and a couch. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

An echo from the past Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

Federation’s Heidi Gantwerk traveled to D.C. to lobby for more money for security of religious institutions

We have long believed that security cannot be an afterthought for any community of faith — and today is a devastating reminder that this reality extends to every house of worship in our city and across the country. That is why we are in Washington fighting for resources that protect communities like the one attacked today. [Heidi Gantwerk]

Federation’s Heidi Gantwerk traveled to D.C. to lobby for more money for security of religious institutions Read More »

Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

5 die in aftermath of gunfire at Islamic Center of San Diego

Five people are dead, including suspected teenage shooters Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez in the wake of an attack on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Two of the other three victims were not immediately identified, but one was security guard Amin Abdullah whom law enforcement officials said may have prevented a much larger death toll. [Donald H. Harrison]

5 die in aftermath of gunfire at Islamic Center of San Diego Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Seussical the Musical is ‘pleasure-ical’ but arts funding is not

The fun and spectacle of the show were tempered a bit by proprietors Erin and Gary Lewis’ announcement that due to their funding being cancelled by the City of San Diego as part of the sweeping cuts to the arts and culture budget, they need to raise $100,000 or the next show, Rock of Ages won’t be staged. [Sandi Masori]

Seussical the Musical is ‘pleasure-ical’ but arts funding is not Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jewish biography: Lina Stern, Soviet trailblazer in biochemistry

The main scientific achievement of Lina Stern was the discovery and detailed study of the blood-brain barrier, the hemato-encephalic barrier—a protective mechanism that regulates the exchange of substances between the blood and the brain. [Alex Gordon]

Jewish biography: Lina Stern, Soviet trailblazer in biochemistry Read More »

Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

New York Times and antisemitism: the Jewish enemy within

Coverage of Israel often portrayed it as a destabilizing force rather than a necessary refuge for a shattered people. By the 1970s and 1980s, legitimate policy critique sometimes slid into rhetoric about excessive Jewish power and dual loyalty. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

New York Times and antisemitism: the Jewish enemy within Read More »

Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, News Media, Shanda File, USA

Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …)

When I told my friend, who owns a smart lock, about the product, his ears perked up immediately. He mentioned that this was his biggest issue with his smart lock in India, and if a retrofit existed, he would jump at the chance to get one. [Shor M. Masori]

Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Israel, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA

The coming of Shavuot spawns many local celebrations

The seven weeks of counting the Omer are coming to an end soon, and we celebrate with receiving the Torah on Shavuot. Many celebrations include dairy products. Many celebrations include dairy products.  The Israelites didn’t have time that night to kasher their non-dairy foods. [Cailin Acosta]

The coming of Shavuot spawns many local celebrations Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food