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

Book Review: ‘Inflitration’ by Joshua Kenaz

The death a few months ago of Israeli author, Joshua Kenaz, led to renewed interest in his work, and impelled me to read this book (published by Am Oved in 1986). For me, reading a novel in Hebrew involves embarking on an enterprise that I know in advance will tax my patience and ability to persevere, especially as in this case the book comprises some six hundred pages of closely-printed Hebrew text. However, I decided to stick the course and acquaint myself with the writing of someone who is considered to be a bulwark of contemporary Israeli literature. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

National Trust to Honor Rosenwald Schools

January 13, 2021 was an extraordinary day in the history of the United States.  President Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time.  The House acted with blazing swiftness, something they almost never do. It had only been one week from when a huge mob of demonstrators attacked, penetrated, and threatened the Capitol.   As Congress voted to impeach President Trump for inciting insurrection, President Trump continued his presidential duties. He signed last-minute legislation that would positively impact the fight against antisemitism, for women’s and human rights, education, the environment, and more. One of the bills the President signed was HR 3250. It is known as the Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020. [Jerry Klinger]

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USA

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 17-23, 2021) 

SAN DIEGO – Following are Jewish-interest programs intended for academic and lay audiences that may be accessed via the Internet All times are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Book Review: Esther in America

The biblical book Esther made a significant impact upon Americans, Jews and non-Jews, as seen in the new book Esther in America.

As I described in detail in my book Ruth, Esther, and Judith, the biblical book Esther is in no way similar to what many think the book contains. Most noteworthy is that it contains no mention of God and no indication that the Judeans observed any biblical command. Even when the Judeans fasted when prompted by Esther’s request, no mention is made that they prayed for divine aid. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

House Impeaches President Trump by 232-197 Vote

After more than three hours of televised, often heated debate, a united Democratic party, aided by 10 Republicans, impeached President Donald Trump for an unprecedented second time.  The vote on Wednesday, January 13, showed 232 members of Congress in favor of impeachment, and 197 members, all of them Republicans, opposed.  The matter goes next for trial by the U.S. Senate which Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said will not convene for formal business until January 19, one day before President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are scheduled to be inaugurated. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, The World We Share, USA

Trump’s inaction following rioting may be his biggest crime

The legal hook to snag Donald J. Trump: “Stay peaceful!” Ironic words to meld a criminal case against our soon-to-be ex-president for his role in the siege of Capitol Hill. I could not figure out how Trump is culpable for his pep talk to the thugs who went on to murder a police officer, injure other officers, terrify hundreds of powerful figures and trash the halls of Congress. At first. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA

12 Positive COVID cases reported at Seacrest Village’s Memory Care Unit

Twelve of the 24 patients in Seacrest Village Retirement Community’s Katzin Memory Care Unit have tested positive for COVID-19, Pam Ferris, President and CEO of the Encinitas-based facility run under Jewish community auspices, reported on Tuesday, January 12.   Of these, she said, nine already have had treatments involving intravenous infusion of the medication known as Bamlanivimab, and three others are scheduled to begin the single-time treatment, which lasts approximately two hours. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Lessons from Buddhists

While I am an Orthodox Jew, I recognize that I as well as all people of all religions can learn much from Buddhists and others. The greatest Jewish philosopher, the rational thinker Maimonides, reminded us that the truth is the truth no matter what its source. Not only rational philosophers, but even mystics stressed Maimonides’ teaching about taking truths from all sources, Jewish and non-Jewish. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr.

Opening our ears to HaShem’s messages

This week’s parasha is tailored to the times in which we are living. Fear of the unknown, “uncertainty,” has spun many into anxiety, depression, and self-destruction. Many have so weakened their sense of hopefulness, that they live with exhaustion, believing nothing can, or will, improve. The events in the nation’s capital last week have beaten down many. How can we see our strife, our fear, our disbelief, today in this week’s Torah reading? [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Can a Robot be Jewish-Jewish-Jewish?

Beginning in 2005, Nadine Epstein, current editor of Moment Magazine, a well-respected Jewish publication since its founding in 1975 by the late Elie Wiesel and Leonard Fein, initiated an “Ask the Rabbi” column, distinguishing itself from other similar columns by asking not one, but many rabbis to respond. “Ask the Rabbi” column seeks advice from rabbis across the full spectrum of Jewish thought and theology – including, Humanist and Independent Judaism on the left, through Reform and Conservative, and on to Orthodox, Sephardic, and Chabad on the right. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

Can a Robot be Jewish-Jewish-Jewish? Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD

U.S. Attorney in San Diego investigating local connections to Capitol riot

U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer has announced his office in San Diego “will work closely with our law enforcement partners, including the U.S. Attorney’s office in the District of Columbia, to ensue that any individuals from San Diego or Imperial Counties who were involved in criminal activity at the U.S. Capitol are brought to justice.  If we determine that federal charges should be brought in this District, we will aggressively prosecute all such matters.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA

Satire: Donald Trump, Contrite and Conciliatory

A day after the storming of the Capitol, Donald Trump finally issued a statement condemning it: “We have just been through an intense election, and emotions are high, but now tempers must be cooled, and calm restored. To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country. And to those who broke the law, you will pay.” His sincerity can’t be doubted since he has made it clear that the people attending the Stop the Steal rally were [the following}:

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Rep. Raskin’s moving tribute to son who took his life

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) and his wife Sarah Bloom, disclosed in a moving essay that their son Tommy, who was eulogized during the opening day of Congress by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi,  had committed suicide while in the throes of severe depression. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA

Jewish members of Congress divided on Trump

Jewish elected officials, reflecting partisan divisions in the country, are split over the validity of Joe Biden’s election as President, whether Donald Trump is culpable for the mob that attacked and ransacked the Capitol building resulting in five deaths, and what, if anything, should be done about Trump in the days remaining before his term ends, and Biden’s begins, on Wednesday, January 20th. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish members of Congress divided on Trump Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA