Thomas Mann’s ‘Joseph and His Brothers’ well worth the long time it takes to read

This weighty tome comprising almost 1,500 pages of closely-printed text, is in fact four novels combined, and took the author some 17 years to write before it was first published in German in 1944. The translation into English by John E. Woods, reads fluently and convincingly, presumably mirroring the original German. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish political briefing: Saturday evening, Jan. 3, 2026

The United States’ surprise capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores early Saturday morning generated both negative and supportive statements from Jewish officeholders around the world. The Maduros were put aboard the amphibius assault ship USS Iwo Jima and then an airplane for a trip to New York where they will face charges of trafficking drugs, especially cocaine and fentanyl, to the United States. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Wisdom and resilience of Amy Thurman

Nearly a decade ago, Thurman endured an undiagnosed fracture of her neck and brain stem. Her body eventually collapsed, leaving her paralyzed. She had to relearn every basic skill—walking, reading, speaking, even eating. Each day required starting over. And yet, she persevered. [Michael Adam Cohen]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish political briefing: Friday, Jan. 2, 2026

Prominent Jewish individuals and organizations, including New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov, a Republican, criticized on social media the first-day actions of Muslim Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who cancelled all the executive orders issued after September 2024 by his predecessor at City Hall, Eric Adams. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Fear of African independence movements behind many protests of Israel’s diplomatic recognition of Somaliland

Post-colonial governance worked out poorly. The regime of Siad Barre in Mogadishu prosecuted horrific wars against Somaliland and, when Barre was deposed in 1991, Somaliland negated the original treaty and declared independence. [Shoshana Bryen]

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International, Israel, Opinion, Shoshana Bryen, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

San Diego County residents stepped up in response to shrinking federal assistance

Washington pulled back. Funding was cut. Programs people rely on were suddenly at risk. And for a moment, it would have been easy to feel like so much was out of our control. But that’s not what San Diego did. Instead, neighbors stepped up. Volunteers showed up. Community organizations leaned in. And together, we made a different choice – one rooted in care, fairness, and responsibility for one another. [Terra Lawson-Remer]

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Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A trip to Chile and spreading the light here in San Diego

[A]s the plane took off for Santiago, a young family in the row across from us brought out electric candles and began singing the holiday blessings with their toddlers. We sang along, and everyone wished each other a chag sameach. The mother looked over at me and said, “We all need to do everything we can to bring light into the world today.” I felt a weight lift, and off we went. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food