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

The Prescriber and Chief

Very few people are aware that the President studied medicine at Trump University where his grades were the highest ever recorded.  He did so well that he was permitted to skip his internship and residency.  He opted not to practice because he had to take over the family business.  He has kept up with medicine by watching Dr. Oz and Grey’s Anatomy.  Managing the pandemic has thrust him into the role of dispensing prescriptions for curing the coronavirus. [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

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Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire

The noble lie: King Christian X and the Jews

My friend and editor of San Diego Jewish World, Don Harrison, and I were having an interesting conversation I would like to share with you. We were talking about the famous Danish King Christian X, who was said to have worn a yellow Star of David together with his people to show solidarity with the Danish Jews. The yellow Star of David helped the Nazis distinguish the Jews from the Gentiles. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Davis polls S.D. constituents on coronavirus aid

Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) conducted an informal poll of her constituents in the 53rd congressional district to learn how the coronavirus pandemic has affected them.  She received 6,799 responses to a questionnaire. Asked if they had been hurt financially by the pandemic, 32.5 percent said “very much so”; 42.2 percent said “somewhat”; and 25.2 percent said “not at all.”   Asked if they had received a stimulus payment from the government, 39.7 percent replied “yes”; 28.5 percent said “No, but I’m expecting a payment”; 17.8 percent said “I’m not eligible” and 13.9 percent complained “the IRS website is unable to find my information.” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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

San Diego Symphony hopeful for 2020-2021 season

As a San Diego Symphony Orchestra (SDSO) subscriber, I received in the mail a beautiful, shiny brochure, optimistically advertising the concerts scheduled for the orchestra’s 2020-2021 Season. With Raphael Payare, our city’s dynamic new conductor at the helm for his second season, and a wonderful lineup of concerts, we all hope it happens. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Streaming the Armenian genocide

On April 24, 1915 the Ottoman Empire arrested approximately 250 prominent Armenians and deported them a month later to the Turkish interior where most of them were killed.  Armenians annually commemorate April 24th as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.  There are few movies about the genocide because Turkey has pressured countries to halt their production, limit their distribution, or undermine their reception.  On the eve of Germany’s invasion of Poland, Hitler informed his generals of plans to massacre many Poles to achieve German living space concluding with this haunting question: “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” I’ve prepared this list to promote its memory and international recognition. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]                                                              

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International, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

J Street’s endorsement of Biden raises Israeli issues

The politics linked to Israel got a tad more uncomfortable, thanks to the main U.S. presidential contenders.Last Friday, J Street endorsed Joe Biden’s bid to oust President Trump on Nov. 3, which he readily welcomed. The following night, Trump pounced on anti-Israel attitudes among Democrats with no real coaxing. Both moves raise disturbing questions. If the former vice president is elected, will J Street prod Biden to make decisions damaging to Israel? [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

It’s back to nature on Earth Day

Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore released on Earth Day the movie, Planet of the Humans, in which he raises the issue of whether the Green Movement has been taken over by capitalists, who have fooled us into believing that wind, solar, and biomass energy will help the planet regenerate.  In the final analysis, it’s not a question of climate change so much as it “human change” that is required.  The full documentary may be seen above. Closer to home, lots of folks were getting out in nature to celebrate Earth Day, albeit while taking such precautions as social distancing and in some cases wearing masks.  [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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

Especially during pandemic, we must avoid lashon hara

Once again, with open eyes, we can see the weekly parasha coming with contemporary lessons to help us live better. Parashat Tazria – Metzorah focuses on our physical wellbeing and a specific disfiguring infectious disease, tzara’at, or what has come to be seen as leprosy. The first parasha deals with the infliction while the second deals with the purification process. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Rabbi salutes his father, the rabbi who resisted white flight from Baltimore

Today is my dad’s yahrzeit.  My dad, Rabbi Dr. Nathan Drazin was born on March 16, 1906 and passed away in Israel on 28 Nisan 1976. He is well-known as a brilliant man, a scholar with a beautiful personality. He was also a hero. It is proper to remember him today. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, USA

Astonishment over Israel’s new government

Hallelujah! We Have a Government. Finally at last! And it’s unique in being one that nobody wanted and no one voted for. All over Israel yesterday people who were watching the nightly news programs on TV were astonished to find that an agreement had actually been signed, wondering why it took so long to achieve, and trying to weigh up who are the winners and who are the losers. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East