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

Revisiting Orthodox Scholars’ Views of the Holocaust Three Decades Later

Gathering luminaries of Orthodox thought—Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Norman Lamm, Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits, Rabbi Emanuel Rackman, Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka, and others—the volume confronts the Shoah’s theological and halakhic rupture without claiming resolution. Its 363 pages, organized thematically around theodicy, extreme halakhic decision-making, survivor memory, and Jewish continuity, model sustained rabbinic dialogue rather than dogmatic closure. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Kotsuji’s Gift’ Tells of a Japanese Man’s Fight to Save Jewish Lives

Setsuzo Kotsuji, a Japanese scholar, university professor, and Japanese government official, … helped save thousands of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi and Japanese persecution. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

‘Kotsuji’s Gift’ Tells of a Japanese Man’s Fight to Save Jewish Lives Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Secondary Antisemitism’ Blames Jews for Making Others Feel Guilty about the Holocaust

Before the creation of the State of Israel, Jews were accused of not having their own land, of being strangers, rootless, parasites, and living only at the expense of other countries and peoples. After the creation of the State of Israel, they are accused of having a home of their own. And although this home is located on land that, according to the Bible, belongs to the Jewish people, they are called “colonizers,” “occupiers,” and “oppressors.” [Alex Gordon]

‘Secondary Antisemitism’ Blames Jews for Making Others Feel Guilty about the Holocaust Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hounding the Headlines: Canine Observations of Retirement Community Living

The humans who reside here have different bodies than the ones I’m used to seeing.  I always thought humans had two legs, but now I know that many of them sprout wheels when they get older. [Elona Baron as barked to Laurie Baron]

Hounding the Headlines: Canine Observations of Retirement Community Living Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Yemenite Henna Ceremony Depicted in Children’s Book

In this book, written for children 4 to 8 years old, a young girl, Gali, believes the henna tradition is “silly” and old-fashioned. She is more impressed that at the wedding itself, she will be a flower girl – a more modern tradition. [Donald H. Harrison]

Yemenite Henna Ceremony Depicted in Children’s Book Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Community Aids Families Affected by Federal Furlough

To qualify, applicants must be federal employees (including contractors) in the San Diego Jewish community who are directly affected by the federal furlough. The loan amount is up to $2,500. The guarantor is waived for this specific program only. [Cailin Acosta]

Jewish Community Aids Families Affected by Federal Furlough Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Children’s Book Tells of Clara Lemlich, Advocate for Rights of Workers and Women

She started working in clothing factories in the Lower East Side, only to realize that workers were being treated unfairly. She stood up for the rights of female workers, improving their treatment in America. [Cailin Acosta]

Children’s Book Tells of Clara Lemlich, Advocate for Rights of Workers and Women Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Some Projects Jewish Federation Supports in Sha’ar HaNegev, Israel

Thanks to contributions to our Israel Emergency Fund, hope and resilience continue to take root in Sha’ar HaNegev and across Israel. I want to share how your generosity has been put to work as Israel rebuilds, recovers, and looks toward a stronger future. [Heidi Gantwerk]

Some Projects Jewish Federation Supports in Sha’ar HaNegev, Israel Read More »

California, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parsha Noach: Building an Ark of the Mind

The Torah tells us, “Every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil continually” (Bereishit 6:5). The generation of the Flood wasn’t destroyed merely for what they did, but for how they thought. Their cognitive distortions, their rigid, self-centered, and morally detached thinking, gave rise to destructive behavior, ultimately drowning their world in chaos. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

Parsha Noach: Building an Ark of the Mind Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

New Zealand Conductor Leads San Diego Symphony Orchestra in Joyful Concert

Following intermission, conductor Gemma New returned to lead the SDSO in Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony. The four-movement work was inspired by Mendelssohn’s nine-month visit to Italy at the age of 21. The music is full of sunshine, opening with a happy theme in the violins. [Eileen Wingard]

New Zealand Conductor Leads San Diego Symphony Orchestra in Joyful Concert Read More »

Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Book Tells of Works and Lives of Latter Day Biblical Prophets

Her book not only informs readers about the Bible, the history and mindset of the times, but also about the effects of all of this then and today. Most of the 286 pages are composed with the primary text in the top half, with an abundance of intriguing, informative details in the notes below. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Book Tells of Works and Lives of Latter Day Biblical Prophets Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors