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

An excellent revelation of the style of the Torah

Rabbi Dr. Joshua A. Berman is a brilliant scholar, writer, and speaker. In his new book Ani Maamin, words that mean “I believe,” he answers questions that bothered Bible readers – Jews, Christians, and Muslims – for centuries, and answers them in an interesting, readable, eye-opening, and engaging way. Why was the Bible written? How do we explain the biblical writing style? How do we reply to Bible critics? And much more. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Peace Corps documentary narrated by Annette Bening

Actress Annette Bening, who got her start in drama as a student at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego before going on to Broadway and to the movies, is the narrator of a new documentary A Towering Task: The Story of the Peace Corps, which covers approximately 62 years of America helping developing nations, from the inception of the idea in 1958 to the present. It will be shown in theaters later this month. {Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

   Items in today’s column include: *Jewish community coronavirus news *American Jewish history *Never forget *In memoriam By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — City Councilwoman Barbara Bry, in her role as chair of the Council’s Budget Committee, has proposed that “San Diego’s federal coronavirus relief money to be used to fund Internet access for all San

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, USA

Annexation debate: beating a dead horse

Many EU leaders, Jews, and others are upset over the proposed extension of Israeli sovereignty to the Jewish population in Israel’s heartland, reclaimed 53 years ago during the defensive Six Day War. This will be accomplished by substituting Israeli civil law for military law in those area where Israeli citizens are living, thereby establishing a real border between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs. Israel’s intended action is approved under the Peace to Prosperity Plan, contingent on Israel’s acceptance of a State of Palestine – a state subject to many restrictions meant to keep everyone safe. [Steve Kramer]

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Middle East, Steve Kramer

Coronavirus case reported at Seacrest Village

A culinary worker at Seacrest Village Retirement Community “has tested positive and is quarantined at home,” Pam Ferris, president and CEO of the Jewish-community-run home for senior citizens reported to residents and their families on Thursday evening.  “We are currently following the ‘Criteria for Return to Work for Health Care Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected Covid-19’ guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Sudden fortune challenges Jewish family

What Helen Auerbach’s  youngest daughter initially mistook for costume jewelry was in fact a 137-carat diamond, none other than the Florentine Diamond that had been missing since the end of the Habsburg Dynasty.  Helen left it to her youngest granddaughter Beck, skipping over her daughter Deborah Miller, as well as her other grandchildren Ashley and Jake. [Book review by Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison

The Coronavirus and the Jewish Problem

Mark Twain is often credited with saying, “History doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes.” As American Jews, we grew up hearing how “America is andrish,” the Yiddish word for “different.” We thought we would never hear new libels accusing the Jew of being a carrier of disease and pandemics. But now the plague is here again, we’re beginning to hear that same old rhyme again. We thought these libels were behind us; it turns out we were wrong. This is very hard for Jews because we want to believe that human nature is essentially good. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

Giving Bill de Blasio the benefit of the doubt?

We might be tempted to give New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio the benefit of the doubt. It was a thoughtless moment. In haste he tweeted: “My message to the Jewish community, and all communities, is this simple: the time for warnings has passed. I have instructed the NYPD to proceed immediately to summons or even arrest those who gather in large groups. This is about stopping this disease and saving lives. Period.” [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, USA

What pandemic are you attracting?

Nobody I know desired to attract COVID-19 into her/his life, and yet here it is. The famed Law of Attraction tells us that we all have the ability to pull into our lives whatever we focus on. Mahatma Gandhi noted, “A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.” So why aren’t we inviting a beautiful state of love, joy, playfulness, gratitude, healing, positivity and an end to this pandemic, something we are all certainly centered on? We are longing for these, aren’t we? [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

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Lifestyles, Michael Mantell