Beware of Movies about the Bible

In the fictional film ending, the Israelites hear of David and Batsheva’s adultery and murder of her husband, and huge crowds gather to stone Batsheva. David tells God he is entirely to blame (as if he could fool God) and tries to commit suicide to save the woman he loves. God accepts his plea, and he is forgiven. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
https://youtu.be/IbMnYCnf_iE?si=RDVogknjJGJB6n0W

A Hanukkah Musical Composed and Performed by Jewish Youth

I was curious about how the show came about and especially about Ari’s and Maya’s creative contributions.  The Gimbels and Cherlin-Baird graciously spent some time with me on zoom and told me all about their process. [Sandi Masori]

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Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Holocaust Survivor Says Jewish Communal Disappointment with Australian Politicians Runs High

His opinions about Australia’s leadership should be given due weight in the wake of the Dec. 14 massacre of 15 celebrants at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on the first night of Chanukah and the Dec. 25 bombing in Melbourne of an unoccupied car toting a mobile billboard that said, “Happy Chanukah.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Perry Twins: Rhythm, Resonance, and the Revolution of Joy

Collaborations with Tara Kemp and Niki Haris arrived not through strategy, but alignment. In Jewish mysticism, souls recognize each other across lifetimes. These partnerships feel like that. Voices that carry history, strength, and survival. Together, they are not chasing relevance. They are restoring lineage. [Michael Adam Cohen]

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California, Jewish Religion, Michael Adam Cohen, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Global Pushback Against Radical Islamists

A notable shift has emerged among progressive, reformist, and moderate Muslim leaders worldwide. From 2023 onward, these voices have more openly condemned political Islam (or Islamism)—the ideology seeking coercive theocratic governance, supremacism, and authoritarian control—while distinguishing it from Islam as a personal faith. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Trump’s Cabinet Secretaries Send Christian Messages on Federal Websites

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed, “We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior.” Similarly, Defense Secretary Hegseth asserted, “Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The inherent problem with these messages is that they use a collective “we” to describe religious views and beliefs, as if these are views and beliefs that all Americans share. [Halie Soifer]

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Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Schiff Cosponsors Bill to Restrict Border Patrol Operations to Areas Within 25 Miles of the Mexican Border

U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-California) and Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) have introduced legislation that, except under extraordinary circumstances, would confine Border Patrol law enforcement activities to 25 miles north of the international border with Mexico. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

StandWithUs CEO Roz Rothstein Sends ‘Open Letter’ to Vice President JD Vance

I appreciate you stating clearly in a recent interview that antisemitism has no place in your political movement. However, the notion that our concerns about this bigotry on the right are “overstated by people who want to avoid having a foreign policy conversation about Israel” does not align with facts. [Roz Rothstein, StandWithUs]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl: Thoughts on a Drive Back to San Diego

Provisioned with a variety of tamales, bañuelos (crispy-thin dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, a typical Mexican holiday dessert, muy delicioso!), and my father-in-law’s “famous rum cake,” my family and I are heading back to “somewhat sunny” San Diego from El Paso. (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA