Hamas Releases Video of U.S.-Israeli Hostage Edan Alexander

Edan Alexander, a 20-year-old Israeli born, U.S.-raised hostage held by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023, was shown Saturday on a Hamas-released video scolding Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly neglecting the hostages. He said in Hebrew, “Do not neglect us.  We want to return home.  Far and isolation is killing us.  Do not forget us.”  [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israelis, Jewish Americans Comment on Israel’s Ceasefire with Lebanon

Israel’s Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, the IDF’s chief of staff, says if Hezbollah violates terms of the ceasefire, “any deviation from this agreement will be enforced with fire.  We are now moving toward a new phase, where the same determination that brought us to this agreement will be applied to enforcement.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Toldot: The Biblical View of Love and Marriage

If you’re looking for a love story, this week in Toldot, we read a magnificent one, in fact, the first. You see, we are told that husband and wife are to “cleave to each other and become one flesh.” This is precisely what Isaac and Rebecca teach us so perfectly. In fact, they even prayed as one. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Counting Our Blessing Every Friday Night

When my kids were very young, we had a Thanksgiving tradition (no doubt like so many other American families) of going around the table and saying what we were thankful for. The answers ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous, depending on the age and mood of the three boys. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jews Divide Along Denominational Lines over Thanksgiving Celebrations

“When can we eat?” Not only do we hear this as we gather for Passover, but I am sure this question was asked in many homes on Thanksgiving. It is always the debate. Do you serve Thanksgiving lunch, something between noon and 6 p.m., or serve as the sun sets for dinner? [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Howie Mandel

Courtesy of Wikipedia Howard Mandel (November 29, 1955) is a Canadian comedian, television personality, actor, and producer. Mandel is known for voicing Gizmo in the 1984 film Gremlins and the 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, playing rowdy ER resident Dr. Wayne Fiscus on the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere, and creating and starring in the Fox children’s cartoon Bobby’s World.

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

World War II’s Impact on German Civilians Told in Biography of Heidi Posnien

This, as the title suggests, is the story of Heidi, a little Catholic girl born in 1936 who grew up in Berlin and the nearby countryside during the Hitler regime that culminated in Germany’s utter defeat in World War II.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jon Stewart

Courtesy of Wikipedia Jon Stewart (November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor and television host. The long-running host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 1999 to 2015, Stewart returned to the satirical news program in 2024. He hosted The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023. Stewart has received numerous accolades, including 23 Primetime Emmy

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

OpEd: What I’m Politically Thankful For

My son asked me what I’m thankful for this year. I gave the standard answer: my creature comforts, dog, family, friends, health, and house. Then he queried if I was grateful that Trump was elected president. I struggled to find some reasons I hadn’t abandoned all my hope for the future. Here’s what I came up with. {Laurie Baron]

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Lawrence Baron, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Bill Introduced to End Federal Funding to Universities that Support BDS

Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey) and Virginia Foxx (R-North Carolina) on Tuesday introduced a bill requiring a cut-off of federal funds to any institution of higher education that engages in a commercial boycott of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A Handbook for Social and Political Action

This is a handbook for social and political activism, written by a medical doctor who has spent his life engaged in protests, demonstrations, and movements for change. Whether you agree with his positions on a variety of issues, or disagree, reading this book may be enlightening. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Ceasefire Agreement is an American-Imposed Mirage

A fata morgana is a rare optical phenomenon in the atmosphere, consisting of several forms of mirages, in which distant objects are seen repeatedly and with a variety of distortions. Fairy Morgana is an enchantress, a half-sister to King Arthur. The American administration has made great efforts to organize a peace agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which means creating a new mirage, another fata morgana, an illusion of peace. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA