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

It’s tough being a Zionist on many campuses

I wonder if I would have survived in college back in the 1960s if the animus on campus toward Jews and Israel were as great as it is today. Two examples of the kind of hatred and bigotry that Jewish students face can be found at the University of Southern California, up in Los Angeles, and across the country at Florida State University in Tallahassee. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, USA

The revival of Jew-hatred in the U.S.

The rise in terrorism perpetrated by Islamists around the world is blamed on Israel, as are the problems of the Middle East. Even blood libels against Jews are common again, such as Jews having spread the current pandemic to make money. Media personalities – athletes, rappers, actors, and other “celebrities” – make/spread atrocious comments about Jews with little or no backlash. To top it off, younger, Jewish, so-called intellectuals, writers, entertainers, and others have taken to disparaging Israel and undermining their co-religionists for the sake of – what? [Steve Kramer]

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Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Black v. Jewish row continues in ‘City of Brotherly Love’

Solomon Jones, a Philadelphia Inquirer columnist and WURD radio host, should thank every Black leader in town who would “tear down our own.” They have sought to clean up the mess created by Rodney Muhammad after he shared a meme depicting an anti-Semitic cartoon next to photos of Black celebrities who were recently accused of anti-Semitism. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, USA

Books that have greatly influenced me

When a recent zoom meeting of the only group in which I still participate set as a subject for discussion ‘A Book That Has Influenced Me,’ I had no hesitation in choosing J.G. Frazer’s study of comparative religions, anthropology, history and sociology entitled The Golden Bough; a Study in Magic and Religion.’The paperback copy I bought in 1962, when I was a university student, numbered almost 1,000 pages and was touted as the ’abridged edition in one volume.’ [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Books that have greatly influenced me Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

Zina Schiff performs Bloch to critical acclaim

For this article, I am featuring my sister, violinist Zina Schiff’s Bloch Naxos release: Violin Concerto, Baal Shem Suite and Suite Hebraique, recorded with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Jose Serebrier, conducting. At a concert commemorating Kristallnacht at New York City’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Maestro Jose Serebrier heard Zina perform as soloist with the the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra.He introduced himself after the concert and they later met to discus this CD project. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Improvements, flaws in proposed Ethnic Studies Curriculum

StandWithUs, in conjunction with other Jewish groups, reports that the revised recommendations for an Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC) improve upon the original version that was rejected by the State Board of Education but still has its flaws.  Enumerating, the pro-Israel group listed the perceived improvements and problems with the current version which, like its predecessor, will go before the State Board of Education for approval. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. Bryen, USA

The case for compassionate halachah

The Importance of the Community Rabbi: Leading with Compassionate Halachah shows that what is important for rabbis is not encouraging a strict life according to the finer points of Jewish law, but empathy and kind-heartedness. He demonstrates that rabbis need to rethink their method of issuing halachic rulings, and return to the compassionate traditional method of making legal decisions. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

The case for compassionate halachah Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Gratitude to the One Who makes it all possible

After eating a fine meal at a friend’s home, we go out of our way to thank the host, send a thank you note, sometimes even send a gift after the meal, if we haven’t brought one in advance. But how much time do we spend thanking the true Host? In Birkat HaMazon, we have an opportunity to bring this week’s teaching alive, “And you will eat and be sated, and you shall bless the Lord, your God, for the good land He has given you” (Deuteronomy 8:10). If you believe Hashem plays a personal role in your life and you genuinely recognize that whatever you have comes through His hand, you’re likely to be filled with Hakarat Hatov, recognizing the good, gratitude. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Michael Mantell, Middle East

JFS food delivery service needs extra help during pandemic

After weeks of mostly staying home since the COVID 19 pandemic started, I was looking for some volunteer work where I could do something useful for others, but still stay safe. Then, I read in this and several other publications that Jewish Family Service urgently needed volunteer drivers for their Project 19 Food Program, so I applied and after passing a background check and obtaining my Food Handler’s Card, was accepted. [Mimi Pollack]

JFS food delivery service needs extra help during pandemic Read More »

Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County

Social distancing in Jewish law

Once again, we are hearing more discussion about social distancing. Here is a chapter from my new book, God and the Pandemic, A Judaic Reflection on the Coronavirus. The concept of social-distancing at a time of pandemics is discussed in the Responsa literature. The term “responsa” refers to questions people have asked rabbis for almost 1500 years in matters of Judaic law, traditions, and values. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Social distancing in Jewish law Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education