California Gov. Gavin Newsom Calls for a Gaza Ceasefire

“I support President Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages,” he wrote in a letter addressed to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American communities. “I also unequivocally denounce Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel. It is time to work in earnest toward an enduring peace that will furnish the lasting security, autonomy, and freedom that the Palestinians and the Israeli people both deserve.” [CalMatters]

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California, Israel, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: William Shatner

Star Trek gained fame after it went into reruns, with fans of the show known as Trekkies organizing conventions at which they could meet like-minded enthusiasts, buy Star Trek merchandise, and meet members of the original cast.  This development, along with the box office success of George Lukas’ Star Wars in 1977, prompted Paramount Pictures to reunite the cast in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, released in 1979.  Five sequels followed, including one he directed: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. [SDJW staff]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

OpEd: Purim and the Holocaust

My motto is never again, never forget, and never forgive. While some have criticized me for never forgiving the Nazis for what they did to my family, it is precisely this hatred that makes me the fighting Rabbi I am. I refuse to forgive. This is what motivates me to speak out against injustice wherever it may be found. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg]

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Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Pro-Israel but anti-Netanyahu: Democratic Party leaders try to find the middle ground

Published by The Moderate Voice Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come under unusual criticism from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Jacquelyn Martin / POOL / AFP Naomi Schalit, The Conversation Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on March 14, 2024, “The Netanyahu coalition no longer fits the needs of Israel.” It was an extraordinary

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Israel, Nordot, USA

US pushes for truce and hostage deal as Gaza war grinds on

Published by AFP Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) (AFP) – The US top diplomat said Thursday “gaps are narrowing” in talks for a ceasefire in Gaza, and a deal to free hostages held by militants in the devastated coastal territory. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke in Cairo after Israel said its spy chief would head

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International, Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Israel’s War with Hamas on Our Minds

StandWithUs Southwest on Wednesday showed a 47-minute unedited video of the October 7 massacre carried out by Hamas and other terrorists, aggregated from captured Hamas body cam footage  as well as home security and CCTV footage taken in Israel that day [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Demystifying the Paradox of Animal Sacrifices

So how do we reconcile animal sacrifices with the Torah’s directive to have compassion for animals? In biblical times the Jewish ritual of animal sacrifices was considered tame in comparison to the prominent pagan practice of human sacrifice. According to Maimonides, animal sacrifices helped wean the Jews away from these barbaric pagan rituals. Furthermore, sacrifices were permitted only in the Temple, where its holiness promoted reverence for animal life. [Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz]

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Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Failure to Incapacitate Hamas: Recipe for More Massacres of Israelis

By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel –Why are today’s political leaders in Washington, and others outside of the US, against Israel’s imperative to wipe out Hamas? The US, Germany, et al are strongly discouraging the IDF from entering Rafah, the remaining nerve center of Hamas and most likely the hiding place its two foremost terrorist

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International, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

Oct. 7th Survivor Lauds JNF-USA’s Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center

Shortly after evacuating to another city in Israel with other survivors and looking for ways to work through her grief, Twilly began an emotional healing journey at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center, a treatment facility in Kibbutz Grofit that uses equine therapy and other methods to treat children and adults with special needs and who have experienced trauma. [Press Release]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, The World We Share, USA

OpEd: High-Minded Schumer Speech on Israel and Gaza Deserves Serious Attention

Schumer’s speech is among the most high-minded that I have heard or read. I am leery about some of Schumer’s ideas, especially the two-state solution, but at least he is serious and laying out many of the needs for a peace plan, the obstacles that might stand in the way and the steps that can be taken to succeed. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Broncho Billy Anderson

He acted in over 300 short films, 148 of which he played the first cowboy movie star, Broncho Billy.  Many were filmed in Niles, a small town in Alameda County, California.  Today, Niles is part of Fremont, California, where there is an annual silent film festival in his honor. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Celebrities, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Why Coca-Cola Sells Soda Made With Real Sugar Once A Year: It’s Back, Look For Yellow Caps

Published by Benzinga It may be hard to notice anything at the grocery stores other than higher prices. But, astute observers may wonder why some Coca-Cola Co (NYSE:KO) products have yellow caps instead of the typical red ones. Well, the answer isn’t something you’ll want to pass over. Why Some Coke Bottles Have Yellow Caps:

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Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Nordot, Travel and Food, USA

Amy Winehouse actress Marisa Abela reveals why she nearly rejected role in biopic

Published by Mirror By Mark Jefferies It was a role so big, she was unsure she could do it justice. But actor Marisa Abela has told how she now feels a strong connection with Amy Winehouse after making the biopic Back To Black. Marisa told Harper’s Bazaar her first instinct was to say “no that’s

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International, Jewish Celebrities, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast