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

Light Amidst the Pyres: A Review of Richard Zimler’s The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon

Richard Zimler’s 1996 debut, The Last Kabbalist of Lisbon, is a towering achievement in this genre. It is a work that breathes life into the suffocating atmosphere of 16th-century Portugal, weaving a narrative that is simultaneously a grisly locked-room mystery, a pulse-pounding thriller, and a profound meditation on Jewish mysticism. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jan Brokken’s “The Just; How Six Unlikely Heroes Saved Thousands of Jews from the Holocaust” tells of stories of courage

Throughout this book, which is based on extensive research, interviews with survivors, and far-reaching travel to almost all the places mentioned, the writer inserts his own personal insights and experiences, giving the reader a unique and lively account of how events developed and what people experienced. [Dorothea Sefer-Vanson]

Jan Brokken’s “The Just; How Six Unlikely Heroes Saved Thousands of Jews from the Holocaust” tells of stories of courage Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parsha Yitro: When insight becomes habit

True transformation rarely arrives with ceremony. It interrupts, startles, and whispers, “There is another way to exist.” These moments are intruders in our thoughts; small sparks of clarity that jolt us awake. In therapy and psychological coaching, we recognize this as the difference between insight and change: awareness alone rarely heals; transformation begins when insight is translated into action. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

REVIEW: Black and Jewish: An Interwoven History, Part 1 – Let My People Go

Because I live in the intersection of being both Black and Jewish, I have learned about my identity over the years, both through experience, stories handed down to me, education, and reading. [Barrett Holman Leak]

REVIEW: Black and Jewish: An Interwoven History, Part 1 – Let My People Go Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, California, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

That pesky Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter, summer like conditions in SoCal

Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter. That is unfortunate for our friends and family on the East Coast since those of us in San Diego are looking at highs in the 70’s for the next two weeks. No rain forecast for the next 10 days. [Cailin Acosta]

That pesky Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter, summer like conditions in SoCal Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

American Jews in the face of Jewish catastrophes

As might be expected after Kristallnacht, for American Jews the fate of European Jews during the Holocaust was of little interest, a secondary issue. No Jewish solidarity was shown by them. Their reaction was “disproportionate,” ignoring the dangers facing the Jewish people in Europe. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the news: Saturday evening, Jan. 31, 2026

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports two Major League Baseball developments with Jewish athletes: Third baseman Alex Bregman has signed a five-year, $175 million pact with the Chicago Cubs, and Alon Leichman, who grew up on Kibbutz Gezer in Israel, will become the head pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, News Media, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holocaust and hostage survivors have much in common

As we hold tight to the stories of those still alive from the Holocaust, we will be holding tight to the stories of the hostages from Oct.7. They will always show resilience and the power of prayer that helped them survive. (Cailin Acosta)

Holocaust and hostage survivors have much in common Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Jews in the news: Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

Historian Rafael Medoff reports that he and 111 other Holocaust scholars from around the world have signed a letter protesting the “Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention” using the name of Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word ‘genocide,’ without the permission of the Lemkin family. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA