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
After nearly two thirds of the year silent, San Diego’s flagship musical organizations are finding innovative ways to bring back their musicians in live performances. [Eileen Wingard]
Shows go on by San Diego’s musical organizations Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Besides being angry at Republicans for pushing Barrett’s confirmation through — in contrast to the way they refused to act on former President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nomination of Merrick Garland — some left-wing Democrats are also angry at Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California). Like all other Democratic Senators, Feinstein was opposed to Barrett, but unlike the rest of them, she congratulated Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) on the way he conducted hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Graham is in a tight reelection battle against Democrat Jaime Harrison, and some Democrats feel Feinstein’s friendliness toward Graham may hurt Harrison’s chances as well as those of Democrats hoping to flip the Senate from Republican to Democratic control. [Donald H. Harrison]
Dianne Feinstein now in political hot water Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
The focus of Middle East peacemaking changed from requiring Israel to pay the Palestinians in the currency of statehood (“risks for peace”) to a request that the Arab States consider the economic and security needs of their own people in deciding whether and how to approach the State of Israel. The result is the Abraham Accords, broadly accepted by countries that have not signed; a new compact with Jordan; and feelers from other countries. The United States abandoned the untenable position of “neutral party” between Israel, which is our democratic ally, and the Palestinian Authority, which is not. The U.S. has moved to a position of honest broker, which is vastly more appropriate. U.S.-Israel security cooperation, grounded in our commonality, continues through the pandemic. [Shoshana Bryen]
Considering President Trump’s record … Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
I’ve decided to change the name of my column from “Our Shtetl San Diego County” to “Jewish News from San Diego and Beyond.” The reason probably is self-evident. While much of the news that affects our readers occurs in San Diego, important stories with a bearing on our lives also come from other places as well, including Washington D.C., New York, Sacramento, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, to name just a few. So the new column name allows me to be more inclusive in my coverage. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish News from San Diego and Beyond Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Since Donald Trump has declared, “The only way we’re going to lose this election is if the election is rigged,” Given that he is infallible, Trump has stepped up efforts to thwart this rigging by creating a taskforce called STOP which is designed to prevent progressives from casting their ballots. Though my connections within the deep state, I have obtained STOP’s plan for achieving its aim in the remaining days before the election. [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
According to James is an interesting and thoughtful book. Whether readers are Christians, Jews, Muslims, or something else, and even if they strongly disagree with the story Howard Rubenstein tells about James, an older brother of Jesus, they will find that the story prompts them to think about many aspects of religion. The story is fiction. But it is based on the views of many scholars. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Examining Jesus as a human Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Federal prosecutors still haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty for the assailant who killed Lori Gilbert Kaye and wounded three other people at Chabad of Poway during a Passover 2019 observance, Kristina Davis of The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Saturday. The newspaper said that the defense team for defendant John T. Earnest, 21, has reported that the coronavirus pandemic has hampered “mitigation investigation critical to a meaningful penalty phase in a capital prosecution.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Feds evaluate death penalty for Poway Chabad shooter Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County
Not only humans gathered around computer screens, but animals too, for Internet Shabbat services Friday night conducted by Rabbi/ Cantor Cheri Weiss of the San Diego Outreach Synagogue. This Shabbat, Jews around the world read Parshat Noach — the story of Noah’s Ark — and the rabbi figured it would be the perfect occasion to recite a “Blessing of the Animals” composed by Rabbi Jonathan Aaron of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, California. [Donald H. Harrison]
Blessings and Pats on Their Heads Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, USA
By the time ten generations had passed Noah lived in a world where people were constantly at each other’s throats. Raping, pillaging, murder were all abundantly prevalent. The profound immorality had even penetrated the animal kingdom, where there were ubiquitous instances of cross-species breeding, something which goes against nature itself.
Noah and his clan were different. The Torah attests that he was a Tzaddik / a saintly person in his generation. They stood on an island of virtue in a sea of depravity. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Noah’s Flood Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
Former Vice President Joe Biden compared the U.S. relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un today to America’s “good relationship with Hitler before he, in fact, invaded Europe — the rest of Europe.”
The comparison came during one of many sharp exchanges Thursday night between Biden, the Democratic nominee for President, and President Donald J. Trump, the Republican, in their second and last debate before the Nov. 3 election. [Donald H. Harrison)
Biden likens North Korea to pre-war Nazi Germany Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Sam Glaser’s The Joy of Judaism contains 407 pages of very interesting insights into Jewish practices offered to readers by a very accomplished communicator in a clear, often humorous, always insightful and inspiring way. Glaser’s book covers virtually all aspects of Judaism. He shows readers how they can enjoy Jewish practices. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Humor, song lyrics, and Jewish practice Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Ever walk down the boardwalk in Pacific Beach or downtown at the Embarcadero on a beautiful sunny afternoon day and notice raggedly dressed individuals sleeping on park benches? They look as if they have not showered in years and if you got close enough your nose would tell you that you were probably right. [Ben Dishman, PharmD]
Days in the lives of mentally ill homeless people Read More »
Ben Dishman, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
The disgusting advertisement jumps out at you from page 9 of The Jewish Journal covering south Florida: “If You’re Jewish WHY are you Still Voting Democrat?” The ad goes downhill from there. A Jewish Orlando, Fla., woman posts on Facebook: “If you’re JEWISH and Haven’t Voted Yet: PLEASE STOP and THINK! How Can A JEWISH Person Vote For Hitler!” [Bruce S. Ticker]
Studies in Horrific Election Rhetoric Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USAScholarly programs on diverse Jewish subjects, compiled by Laurie Baron, Ph.D.
Streaming Jewish Programs (Oct. 25-30) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA