OpEd: What Do Cults and Terrorists Have in Common?

Legitimate religions encourage honesty, transparency, and critical thinking.
Conversely, cults, and their leaders, condone the use of deception for recruitment and fundraising purposes. They also use manipulation and fear tactics to maintain control of their members. The negative characteristics of deception and manipulation distinguish a cult from a legitimate religion. [Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz]

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Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jerry Lewis

In 1945, 19-year-old Lewis met Dean Martin, who was eight years his senior, and the two developed a comedy act,  in which Martin was a straight man and Lewis was a zany ad libber.  The duo started with a radio show, moved to television, then to Paramount Pictures where they starred together in 14 movies between 1960 and 1956.  DC Comics published The Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis from 1952 to 1957.  The team ended the partnership in 1956. [SDJW staff]

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

Biden praises US Senate leader speech criticizing Netanyahu

Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – President Joe Biden praised Friday a speech by the US Senate leader urging new elections in Israel, saying many Americans shared concerns about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the Gaza war. The call by Democratic Senate majority chief Chuck Schumer, the highest-ranking elected Jewish American in history, was

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International, Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

Adopt-A-Family Foundation Aiding Traumatized Israeli Victims of Oct. 7

Since October 7th, Adopt a Family Foundation has been in close contact with our adopted families all over Israel. Most of the families from the South are still displaced. They too – for more than 150 days – have been praying for the return of the hostages and are still mourning the loss of so many of their friends in their Kibbutzim. So many Israelis from the North are also displaced from their homes and live in such uncertainty of what is next. [Carine Chitayat]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Purim Preparations

Purim 2024 begins at nightfall Saturday, March 23, and ends after sunset Sunday, March 24.  A list of Purim activities may be found in our San Diego County Jewish Calendar.  Anticipation of Purim is keeping the rabbis and rebbetzins of the many Chabad Houses in San Diego quite busy. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

‘King James’ Uses Sports Metaphor to Explore the Ups and Downs of a Friendship

The dialogue is fast-paced and funny, both because of  Rajiv Joseph’s writing and the animated faces of Foote and Echebiri.  San Diegans can especially appreciate how upset and betrayed Matt and Shawn feel when James moves to the Miami Heat and leaves his hometown.  I saw many in the audience nodding emphatically as Matt and Shawn lament the perceived betrayal, as memories of our own Chargers’ betrayal with their move to LA still feels fresh.  [Sandi Masori]

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Sandi Masori, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Tartuffe’ Pokes Fun at Our Frail and Base Tendencies

The satiric comedy was originally written and performed in French, but fortunately for English-speaking audiences, it was translated by Richard Wilbur, and later, by others. The play is written and performed in rhyme. The actors are nothing short of incredible in their ability to speak the lines with meaning, each delivered naturally and logically.  [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in 1993, and the Senate confirmed her on a 96-3 vote, thereby filling the seat that had been vacated upon the retirement of Byron White. She was the first Jewish female justice of the Supreme Court, and eventually became the longest-serving Jewish justice.  When Sandra Day O’Connor retired in 2006, Ginsburg temporarily became the only woman on the nine-member court. [SDJW staff]

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California, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Lunch and Yiddish Songs Entertain 57 Holocaust Survivors at Congregation Beth El

“We were honored to be able to put together a program of primarily Yiddish music so that we could reach this special audience with songs in the language most of them grew up with.” [Steve Mishek]

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Holocaust, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Netanyahu says Israel will enter Rafah despite international concern

Published by DPA International The Israeli army will enter the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip despite international warnings, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. “There is international pressure to prevent us from entering Rafah and completing the work,” Netanyahu told soldiers on Thursday, according to his office. He said he

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

U.S. Indicts Lyft Driver Who Punched Passenger He Believed to be Jewish

“No one in this country should live in fear because of how they worship or where they come from,” stated U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those who perpetrate hate-fueled violence motivated by antisemitism or by bias of any kind.” [JNS]

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Antisemitism, California, Travel and Food, USA