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

On behalf of those ‘with underlying conditions’

Today, television news reported that there were three more deaths in San Diego County from COVID-19, and that all three victims were in their 80s “with underlying conditions.”

This phrase, “with underlying conditions,” apparently is meant to make some people feel better about the death toll.  It sends the message that if you are young and healthy, without any underlying conditions, you’re safe from the disease.  But it sends a different message to those of us who are older and have thus far survived our battles with “underlying conditions.” It tells us that if we die from COVID-19, it won’t be so important; it’s less of a tragedy.  After all, we had underlying conditions. [Donald H. Harrison]

On behalf of those ‘with underlying conditions’ Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA

End mandatory life sentences for non-violent offenders

It does not seem possible that here in the United States, a country that has long prided itself on its humanity, a man could be serving a life sentence for stealing hedge clippers. Yet, shocking as it is, Fair Wayne Bryant’s story is the story of thousands of Americans whose lives have been decimated by draconian laws that disproportionately affect minorities. [Sam Ben-Meir, Ph.D]

End mandatory life sentences for non-violent offenders Read More »

Sam Ben-Meir, USA

A new generation of writers tackles the Holocaust

This history of one Holocaust family’s experiences, together with a book by Julie Gray that I reviewed yesterday —  The True Adventures of Gidon Levin in which Gray traveled with Lev to the major venues in his life, — leave me with a hopeful sense that we are moving into a new era of Holocaust research and scholarship.  I’m hopeful because I’ve often heard Holocaust survivors ask plaintively, “When we’re gone, who will tell our stories?”  The answer is that an entirely new generation of journalists, descendants, and academics will probe the history of the mass murder of six million Jews, unearthing untold stories and bringing to them fresh new perspectives.  [Book review by Donald H. Harrison]

A new generation of writers tackles the Holocaust Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History

Memoir of a Holocaust survivor, Kibbutznik, lover

Holocaust survivor Gidon Lev had written a memoir but he needed an editor.  Julie Gray, who had recently made Aliyah to Israel, had a background as a writer for magazines and periodicals.  Even though Lev had children older than Gray, their relationship became more than a work match; the two would travel together, become lovers and lifelong companions, and produce a joint memoir that was  both an  exploration of Lev’s experiences and Gray’s reaction to them. [Book review by Donald H. Harrison]

Memoir of a Holocaust survivor, Kibbutznik, lover Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

Increasing instances of Jew-hatred mar country

The contempt that is showered on our people has been unremitting, not just here in San Diego but around the country.  It is part of a process, conspired in by right-wing and left-wing extremists, to normalize Jew-hatred.  Our community really needs to be on guard. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Increasing instances of Jew-hatred mar country Read More »

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

Humoring the Headlines: The 500th Column

When I retired from teaching at San Diego State University in 2012, Don Harrison asked me to write a weekly column. I agreed to occasionally review Jewish- themed films in a column titled “The Wandering Review.” A year later I offered to write a weekly political satire column called “Humoring the Headlines.” Familiar with “The Wandering Review,” Don thought I said that I was willing to write a column weakly. Nevertheless Don approved and all three of the fans of “The Wandering Review” were disappointed that it would appear less frequently. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Humoring the Headlines: The 500th Column Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire

A Word of Torah: ‘Optional’ warfare

There were different types of war that the Jewish people would engage in. Those wars that entitled conquering the Holy Land were called, “Milchamot Mitzvah,” “Mitzvah” wars, as it was a positive commandment to conquer the land and expel the Canaanites, who were exceedingly evil people. Lest we accuse the Israelites of being colonialists it is appropriate to remember that the Canaanites had driven off the offspring of Noah’s son Shem, from whom the Jewish people trace our roots. In other words, the Jews were simply repatriating the land that belonged to them and which the Almighty had given in a bequest to Abraham our father. Astonishingly we learn about a different type of war – a war that was optional. The Torah explains that under certain circumstances the Jewish people would be allowed to expand the borders of Israel and fight wars with her neighbors in order to conquer additional lands [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A Word of Torah: ‘Optional’ warfare Read More »

Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Arson, vandalism, RJC video ramp up tensions in Jewish community

Jewish community tensions are being ramped up with news of an arson fire at the Chabad House at the University of Delaware, vandalism at a Reform synagogue in Kenosha, and a video from the Republican Jewish Coalition purporting that Democrats are turning their back on Jews and Israel and are coddling anti-Semites. [Donald H. Harrison]

Arson, vandalism, RJC video ramp up tensions in Jewish community Read More »

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

‘Progressive’ Democrats engage in regressive anti-Semitism

Depending on one’s viewpoint, it could all make sense. Supposedly, Jews oppress Palestinians in Israel’s territories, so they must be part of white supremacy in America. Supposedly, all Jews are wealthy, so they must be oppressing people of color. For sure, anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism. And now, supposedly,  we Jews want a race war. These are conclusions we can draw from the latest barrage in the ongoing war on Jews in America. [Bruce S. Ticker]

‘Progressive’ Democrats engage in regressive anti-Semitism Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Karen Parry new Hillel of San Diego executive director

Karen Parry, a Jewish community professional who grew up and held her earliest positions in San Diego County, will return to her native city from Seattle to become the executive director of Hillel of San Diego. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Karen Parry new Hillel of San Diego executive director Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Stopping Iran, the world’s foremost terrorism sponsor

The US has now twice failed to trigger a “snapback” mechanism in the UN Security Council to reimpose sanctions against Iran. Indonesia’s UN Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani dismissed the move that could have ended the 2015 Iranian deal, under his authority as president of the Council for the month of August. He said, “There is no consensus in the council and thus the president is not in the position to take further action. [Steve Kramer]

Stopping Iran, the world’s foremost terrorism sponsor Read More »

Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

An outdoor Shofar service for 2nd night Rosh Hashanah

Zoom services  may be good, but those in the open air are better in the opinion of Rabbi Mendy Begun of Chabad of Chula Vista.  With what he hopes will be the help of other Jewish congregations, the rabbi plans to put on a free second night of Rosh Hashanah shofar blowing and concert  by Cantor Daniel Moreno in Cottonwood Park in Chula Vista. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

An outdoor Shofar service for 2nd night Rosh Hashanah Read More »

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