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

SWU presses for Jewish history in Ethnic Studies Curriculum

The stories of Sephardic and Mizrachi Jews who came to the U.S. from the Middle East should be included in the Asian-American section of California’s proposed Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum that goes before the State Board of Education on Thursday, March 18, panelists sponsored by the pro-Israel organization, StandWithUs, said Wednesday. (Donald H. Harrison)

SWU presses for Jewish history in Ethnic Studies Curriculum Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

USD Professor: Food factories May Be Next Source of Pandemic

University of San Diego Prof. Aaron S. Gross, a former president of the Society of Jewish Ethics, on Tuesday cited four reasons why industrialized farming of animals – especially chickens — is likely to be the cause of a future pandemic. [Donald H. Harrison]

USD Professor: Food factories May Be Next Source of Pandemic Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

West Coast Jewish Youth Recite the Poetry Within Them

Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices featured the poetry of young writers from San Diego, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon, last month.  The Internet audience for the Lawrence Family JCC sponsored event consisted of poetry lovers young and old from the entire West Coast. [Eileen Wingard]

West Coast Jewish Youth Recite the Poetry Within Them Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Thriller Novel Tells of War, Rogue Operations on Israel-Lebanon Border

In his fourth appearance in a Joel Rosenberg fictional thriller, CIA Agent Marcus Ryker fights valiantly when he and two others making a peaceful inspection tour of the Israeli-Lebanese border are ambushed and captured by a unit of Hezbollah.  The operatives of the Radwan unit don’t know how big a prize Ryker is, thinking at first that he is an Israeli, and finding out belatedly that he is an American.  But, given that he provides them with his alias, they don’t know his real name of why such countries as Russia and Iran have put a big price on his head. [Donald H. Harrison]

Thriller Novel Tells of War, Rogue Operations on Israel-Lebanon Border Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

Thomas Jefferson, Religion, and the Cancel Culture

Often when I hear people wanting to destroy statues of historical figures and burn books of authors who mentioned something they considered wrong, even though these men and women also did good things and are part of our history, I wonder what they would do with the Hebrew Bible if they found out that all the men and women mentioned in the Hebrew Bible arguably did something wrong, such as King David’s adultery. The only totally innocent good man in the Hebrew Bible is Job, and that story according to many rabbis and scholars is just a parable. By pointing out the wrongs, the Torah is telling us that the biblical heroes were humans like us. The Bible does not expect any human to never do wrong. We should learn from these narratives to strive to be as good as we can be. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Thomas Jefferson, Religion, and the Cancel Culture Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, USA

Europeans spineless about confronting Iran

A Christian, a Muslim, and a Jew enter a bar. The bartender asks, “Is this a joke?” That’s how I feel after reading a recent Reuters article (3/4/21) entitled, “West scraps plan for IAEA rebuke of Iran.” Evidently Britain, France and Germany scrapped their plan, backed by the US, criticizing Iran for its many, serious actions regarding its nuclear activity. This must mean that the three European countries believe that they will be more successful in reining in Iran by being nice and continuing negotiations than by showing diplomatic strength. [Steve Kramer]

Europeans spineless about confronting Iran Read More »

International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

4 S.D. Congressmembers extol $1.9T American Rescue Plan

Just how much is $1.9 trillion, and what can be done with that much money?  Well, on Friday, just to cover the basics of the American Rescue Plan that they all voted for. it took speeches by four Democratic members of Congress who represent San Diego County. Another eight speakers amplified on various aspects of the landmark legislation. [Donald H. Harrison]

4 S.D. Congressmembers extol $1.9T American Rescue Plan Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Rubenstein’s ‘Agamemnon’ wins posthumous plaudits

The late Dr. Howard Rubenstein’s translation of the famed Greek playwright Aeschylus’ play Agamemnon is a brilliant work. It is the first modern, very readable, very interesting and educational translation of an important classic with a wealth of explanatory information. The problem with former translations is that its English is outdated, stilted, and often hard to understand. Dr. Rubenstein’s version was performed in 1997 in California and in 2002 in Florida with high acclaim. The work is so good that it should become part of the literature courses in upper high school grades and in colleges. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Rubenstein’s ‘Agamemnon’ wins posthumous plaudits Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Public performances again allowed in Israel

At last! After a year of living in a cultural desert, the ban on public performances in Israel has finally been lifted. And last night when we were able at last to attend a real live concert. The requirements were clear: anyone who had bought tickets had to provide proof of having been vaccinated twice, as well as a certificate of identity. The seating arrangements were equally stringent, with an empty seat between anyone not from the same household (very handy as a place to put one’s coat). [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Public performances again allowed in Israel Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts