Two diplomats who defied Hitler to be spotlighted at Sunday’s Yom HaShoah commemoration

Jason Abranches, great-grandson of Portuguese Consul Aristides de Sousa Mendes, and Arturo Levin, whose mother and grandmother were saved by Japanese Consul Chiune Sugihara, will share how ordinary diplomats risked everything to become extraordinary rescuers. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A suburban tale during the 49 days of counting the Omer

This is not a religious tract, although kabalistic suggestions for counting the omer are thrown in.  I must confess I didn’t find the nexus between what is essentially a story of suburban life and those suggestions for meditations on each day of the 49 between the second day of Passover and the arrival of Shavuot.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Distrust for Netanyahu-led government sours some Israelis’ outlook

Bad decisions, miscalculations and hubris have caused Israel’s current government to lead the country along a path that seems to bring only more death and destruction. No attempt ever seems to be made to seek peace by negotiation or any diplomatic means of settling disputes. Admittedly, countries that openly proclaim their desire to eradicate Israel and all Jews everywhere should be regarded as a threat, but Israelis should be given an alternative to living by the sword alone. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The importance of San Diego’s Holocaust commemoration this Sunday

This Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, members of our community will come together to commemorate Yom HaShoah. I urge you to join us for this moving and meaningful event. Many of San Diego’s remaining Holocaust survivors will be there, and I cannot overstate what an honor it is to be in the room with these precious souls. To be in their presence is a privilege we will only have for a short time longer. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Democrats crown successful opposition to anti-Israel resolutions with a bagel brunch

The Chair reasonably suggested referring the first two resolutions to the DNC’s Working Group on the Middle East, an entity established by Chair Martin in August to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Committee voted in both cases to refer them to the Working Group, effectively defeating them ahead of today’s full DNC meeting. The AIPAC resolution was also rejected by the Committee. [Halie Soifer]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Seeing the Iranian struggle in the Passover story

For 2,500 years, Jews lived in Iran, long before the rise of Islam. There were periods of relative stability, even prosperity, but they were never truly equal. At best, they were second-class citizens. At worst, they were targets. There were times when Jews were forced to mark themselves as Jews, when false accusations spread easily, and when they were reminded that no matter how long they had lived there, they did not fully belong. [Chloe Levian]

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Antisemitism, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Lawrence Family JCC to play 13 curated songs about the impact of Israel’s early wars

At the Thursday, April 16, 2:00 p.m. program of Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library: Music of Yom Hazikaron, my guest, Guri Stark, and I will introduce a playlist of 13 recorded songs. [Eileen Wingard]

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

Finding beauty in nature at the Cardiff Library

Cali notes that his photographs are meant to be lived with. They are not asking for interpretation or explanation. Instead, they offer a space to slow your breath, rest your eyes, and feel a sense of connection. In searching for beauty, he is really seeking moments that feel honest and true. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Contemporary Torah: The sacred architecture of silence

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, step forward with their own fire pans, offering “strange fire” (esh zarah) which God had not commanded. Within seconds, they are dead. The music stops. The joy evaporates. In the center of the camp, there is only smoke and a father staring at the bodies of his sons. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast