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

The Man for Whom Ma’alot Harav Shlomo Goren Was Named

Born in Poland in 1917 and emigrated to Palestine at the age of eight, Rabbi Goren was a brilliant, colorful, and sometimes controversial, Talmudist and halakhist. Young Shlomo Goren was a prodigy: at the tender age of twelve, he began his formal Talmud studies as the youngest student ever at Jerusalem’s Hebron Yeshiva and he published the first of many books when he was just seventeen years old. [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion

From Rashida’s Rhetoric to Fears of Sitting Shiva

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — If only a bloody-hand stunt staged by pro-Arab activists applied to U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s rhetoric and her possible role leading to the deaths of two Jews – one a synagogue president in Tlaib’s hometown and the other a pro-Israel demonstrator outside Los Angeles. Tlaib, a Democrat who represents

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Bruce Ticker, California, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, USA

Visiting San Diego, Israeli Academic Leader Unpacks ‘Incorporation of American Universities’

By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — The “incorporation of American universities” is at the roof of toxic discourse surrounding the Israel-Hamas war on college campuses, University of Haifa President Prof. Ron Robin said during his visit to San Diego from November 12-13. In a nationwide tour of campuses, Robin met with university presidents, administrators,

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California, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

The Hidden Passion and Joy of Psalms Described by Two Rabbis

Most identify the Book of Psalms as a collection of Jewish hymns, prayers, and poems mostly focusing on praising and adoring God. Rabbis Jack Riemer and Elie Spitz, co-authors of Duet on Psalms, with their long careers as pulpit rabbis recognize for too many, reciting psalms is a perfunctory exercise, spoken without passion and devoid of their intrinsic meaning. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion

Terry Wunder: Rejoicing in a Jewish Identity

Growing up, Wunder had a mixed set of experiences – a family that loved him and was very protective of him versus schoolmates and authority figures who singled him out because he was Asian. “It was anything from kids making fun of your eyes to the food that you eat, or assuming you speak another language and making fun of it, even if you don’t,” recalled Wunder, who works today as Director of Community Engagement for Temple Solel in Encinitas. Wunder is also one of 15 persons across the nation chosen in 2022 for a Wexner Field Fellowship. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Audience Delights in Familiar Songs of ‘Mamma Mia’

It’s been a hard month not only for all of us in the Jewish community, but for the entire San Diego community.  With all of the unrest and strife happening, the audience at Broadway In San Diego’s Mamma Mia was ready to let loose and revel in the joyous ABBA songs that make up the backbone of this whimsical show at the Civic Theatre. [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Casus Belli

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When England declared war on Germany in 1914 and again in 1939 it had not been invaded, its frontiers crossed or its citizens murdered. The basis for the outbreak of hostilities in both instances was simply a mutual defense agreement with other countries. War is a terrible thing.

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Opinion