Sha’ar HaNegev and San Diego Crossing a Metaphoric Bridge Together

This journey was part of a program created nearly five years ago by the San Diego Jewish Federation to strengthen our nearly 25-year relationship with our sister region in Israel, Sha’ar HaNegev. Federation’s CEO, Heidi Gantwerk, had the vision to ensure this sacred partnership wasn’t held by Federation alone, but shared and nurtured across all our Jewish organizations. Out of that vision, the Gesher Project, “gesher” meaning bridge in Hebrew, was born. [Betzy Lynch]

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Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Formerly Incarcerated Playwrights Bring Hindsight and Insight to the Stage

“We know that jewels are precious and are formed over many years of intense exposure to pressure and environmental factors. Yet, when we look beyond the rough edges, polish them and craft them, we discover something beautiful and priceless. “ [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Apples for Rosh Hashana Grown Locally

his past weekend was opening day of apple picking in Julian, located in the picturesque Cuyamaca Mountains in San Diego County. Although it was a very warm afternoon in the mountains and not much wind was blowing, we picked our crop of varieties of apples, ranging from Jonathan’s, Empire, Gala, and Golden Delicious from Volcan Valley Apple Farm. They do not need any honey since they are just so wonderful by themselves. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food

City, County Lawmakers Announce Legislation to Put Constraints on Federal Immigration Raids

The Due Process and Safety Ordinance [is] a landmark policy aimed at protecting civil liberties, restoring public trust, and drawing firm legal boundaries against discriminatory and warrantless federal activity. [Press Release]

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International, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

A Tour of the Machpelah and the Jewish Section of Hebron

Today the tomb is divided between Jewish and Muslim sectors and is used as a place of worship and gatherings. Inside the Jewish areas are six large memorial markers for the three couples (patriarchs and matriarchs) buried far below. It has special opening hours. “Isaac’s Hall” is normally reserved for Muslim prayer but ten days a year, on Jewish special holidays, it’s reserved for Jewish worship. Wherever there is enough space, there are worshippers saying prayers. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

130,000 Promise Half Their Estates to Jewish Causes, Israel

The Jewish Future Promise (JFP), a global movement inspiring Jews and allies to commit at least 50% of their charitable giving in their estate plans to Jewish causes or the State of Israel, on Friday announced its 130,000th signer: Professor Jack Wertheimer, one of the foremost scholars of American Jewish life. [Press Release]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Bill Guarding Against Antisemitism in Public Schools Advances to State Senate Floor

The California Senate Appropriations Committee advanced critical legislation to combat antisemitism in California’s K-12 public schools in a bipartisan 4-1-2 vote on Thursday, sending Assembly Bill 715 to the Senate Floor for consideration on Friday. If the Senate passes the bill, it will return to the Assembly for a concurrence vote. The Assembly and Senate each announced Thursday that they will extend the end-of-session deadline to Saturday, September 13. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education