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

Israelis celebrate Soleimani’s death

It wasn’t Israel that accomplished the eradication of the world’s most dangerous terrorist, far more dangerous than an Osama Bin Laden (Al Qaida) or Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (ISIS). It was the US government. Surprisingly for Israelis, the news wasn’t universally celebrated in the US. Not only were the President’s motives and the legality of his order immediately questioned, but the whole idea of violent elimination of a politically active global terrorist was raised by his political opponents. [Steve Kramer]

Israelis celebrate Soleimani’s death Read More »

Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

SD Jewish World on vacation Dec. 19 – Jan. 8

Along with my wife and co-publisher Nancy E. Harrison,  I wanted to re-notify our readers that our editor and staff of San Diego Jewish World will be on hiatus until January 8, 2020.   At that point, refreshed from vacations and stay-cations, we’ll resume publishing our daily online news and feature website. [Donald H. Harrison]

SD Jewish World on vacation Dec. 19 – Jan. 8 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

On those reactions critical of Trump’s Executive Order

Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects people from discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance – but it left a loophole by not mentioning religion. As such, Jews and supporters of Israel were not protected. On December 11, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order which includes Jews under existing Title VI protections against increasingly rampant campus aggression. [Steve Kramer]

On those reactions critical of Trump’s Executive Order Read More »

Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Steve Kramer, USA

Bought, borrowed or stolen? Art from the Gurlitt trove

At an exhibit entitled ’Fateful Choices: Art from the Gurlitt Trove,’ the Israel Museum’s Curator of European Art, Shlomit Steinberg, gave a fascinating talk about the history, geography, sociology and provenance of the huge collection of paintings, drawings, prints and lithographs found in 2012 in an apartment belonging to Cornelius Gurlitt, an elderly recluse living in Munich and virtually unknown to the German authorities. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Bought, borrowed or stolen? Art from the Gurlitt trove Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Setbacks may be G-d’s way to prepare your success

You’ve heard it many times, “Man plans, G-d laughs.” Or perhaps, like me, you’ve heard this version, “Mentsch tracht, Gott lacht.” I like “Man thinks, G-d Winks.” Regardless, like all of us who prefer to live without being mutchet or tcheppeht, (pressured or bothered), Jacob found that life has its challenges and disappointments. Just when we think all is well in our family, in our career, in our lives, G-d shows us He has another lesson for us to learn. It seems the only thing predictable about life is how unpredictable it can be. [Michael Mantell, PhD]

Setbacks may be G-d’s way to prepare your success Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Jewish Historical Society obtains new collections

The Jewish Historical Society of San Diego, which maintains archives of our community’s history at San Diego State University, has acquired several more collections that will help researchers understand how our local Jewish community developed. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Historical Society obtains new collections Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims

Tom and Debbie Farley have behind their home in neighboring Poway a 78-foot high pole that during the Christmas season becomes the trunk of a Christmas display of lights.  This year, the lights are blue, teal, and white – the colors of Chanukah in tribute to Poway of Chabad, which last Passover suffered a gunman’s murderous attack that took the life of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and wounded Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz. [Donald H. Harrison]

Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

On homelessness, impeachment, immigration

Our area may wish to consider an idea raised by Oakland Mayor Rebecca Kaplan that cruise ships may provide appropriate lodging for our homeless population.  Older cruise ships are being sold all the time, and with some ingenuity, they can be outfitted to serve not only as dormitories and mess halls but also as places where necessary social services and medical treatment can be easily provided. [Donald H. Harrison]

On homelessness, impeachment, immigration Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

Chanukah story does not criticize Greeks

Many people are mistakenly convinced that the Jewish holiday of Chanukah celebrates the victory of the Jewish religion over Hellenism and that the enemy was Greece. Neither supposed fact is true. The Jews in Judea, Egypt and other countries of the diaspora had a longstanding favorable relationship with the Greeks and Hellenism well before and long after the incidents that prompted the rebellion of Judah Maccabee, his father and brothers in 168 BCE. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Chanukah story does not criticize Greeks Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Work begins on USNS Harvey Milk

The slain San Francisco County Supervisor Harvey Milk (1930-1978) is celebrated as the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.  Besides being gay, he also was Jewish.  Both communities can take pride in the United States Navy deciding to name after him a new fleet oiler that is being built at General Dynamics NASSCO here in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

Work begins on USNS Harvey Milk Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Ken Stone, San Diego County

MOPA displays works of Jewish photographers

The works of past and present Jewish photographers are on display at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. There are seven works by Bern Schwartz in Talking With a Friend: Portraits by Bern Schwartz and a single work by Jacob Manowitz, a student at Meadowbrook Middle School. [Donald H. Harrison]

MOPA displays works of Jewish photographers Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

A ‘Chanukah’ Party at the White House

I was given the high honor of being invited to this year’s Chanukah party at the White House. When a dear friend asked if I wanted to go I jumped at the chance. Why? It was not to see the holiday decorations (which made me feel as though I was in a winter wonderland), sample the lavish strictly kosher buffet (all I had was a couple of glasses of water), hear the Marine Corps band play Klezmer music (now THAT was otherworldly), see the historic displays of chinaware, meet the members of various branches of the armed services in their full dress regalia, or even to get the chance to meet the President, First Lady, Vice President, or other elected officials or dignitaries. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A ‘Chanukah’ Party at the White House Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Davis, Mazon, seek food for military dependents

An officer of Mazon, the Jewish Response to Hunger, says while a House-Senate conference committee-approved  3.1 percent raise for military personnel is welcome, “it doesn’t make up for nearly 10 years that pay raises for military personnel did not keep up with inflation and cost of living increases. [Donald H. Harrison]

Davis, Mazon, seek food for military dependents Read More »

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