Israel-Gaza-U.S.-Global Roundup — March 8, 2024

In a conversation with Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado, on the floor of the House of Representatives, a “hot microphone” picked up President Biden telling the senator that he had told Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu that they needed to have a “Come to Jesus” conversation — which is slang for a blunt conversation — over the issue of humanitarian aid to Gaza. [SDJW report]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jonathan Sacks

From Sept 1991 through September 2013, he served as Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth. In 1995, he won the Jerusalem Prize for his contribution to diaspora Jewish life. In 2005 he was dubbed a Knight Bachelor for his work in interfaith relations. In 2009, the House of Lords announced that Sacks was recommended for life peerage with a seat in the House of Lords. He took the title of Baron Sacks. He was also the recipient of an honorary doctorate of divinity conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, to mark his first ten years as Chief Rabbi. [SDJW staff]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday

Walter Benjamin’s ‘Little History of Photography’

Benjamin, however, was critical of such commercial photographic studios, noting with derision their paraphernalia and ‘props’ intended to enhance the impact of the image or portrait. In the exhibition an enlarged photo of young Franz Kafka illustrates this concept, with the serious young boy holding a stick and a large black hat, surrounded by heavy, dark furniture emphasizing the gravity of the situation. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

U.S.-Israel-Gaza Roundup: March 7, 2024

President Joe Biden announced to a Joint Session of Congress assembled for his State of the Union speech on Thursday night that he has “directed the military to lead an emergency mission to establish a temporary pier in the Mediterranean off the coast of Gaza that can receive large shipments carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Counter-Protester Seeks to Press Charges against Assailant at UCSD’s Anti-Israel March

The incident occurred a few hours before the Associated Students adopted a resolution calling upon UC San Diego to divest from companies doing business with Israel – a demand promptly rejected by UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

SDJA Students Bid Emotional Farewell to Peers from Sha’ar Hanegev

“It was the most amazing experience to meet new people,” said Mia Kraus, a student from Kibbutz Kfar Aza in southern Israel near the border with Gaza. “What the families gave us is just incredible. It took us away from the tragedy and pain of the past few months.” [Jacob Kamaras]

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Israel, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

In ‘MJ’ the King of Pop Rises Again

To illustrate the various periods in Jackson’s life, there are three versions of Michael, “MJ” (Banks) is the Michael of the 90s,  “Michael” (Brandon Lee Harris) is a teen Michael, and “Little Michael” (Josiah Benson) covers the childhood and young Jackson 5 version. [Sandi Masori]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Michael Eisner

When he was passed over to succeed Diller at Paramount, he moved over to Walt Disney Studios, where he served as chairman and CEO.  Under his watch, Disney released such films as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Little Mermaid and acquired Miramax Films, ABC, most of ESPN, Fox Family, and The Muppets. [SDJW staff]

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Business & Finance, California, International, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Large Pro-Palestinian Protest Mostly Peaceful at UC San Diego But Some Isolated Incidents Reported

An estimated crowd of between 800 and 1,000 people demonstrated peacefully Wednesday against Israel and the war in Gaza.  They were monitored by beefed-up security personnel of UC San Diego, students wearing green neon vests and some kaffiyehs, and the San Diego Police Department.  The demonstration was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine, which claimed it had assembled the largest protest crowd on campus ever. [SDJW staff]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Rep. Sara Jacobs Brings Home ‘The Pork’

U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) said Wednesday that “bringing home federal dollars to San Diego is one of my biggest responsibilities, so I’m incredibly proud that I secured $13.5 million for local projects across California’s 51st district—especially during such a politically fraught time in Congress.” [SDJW staff]

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Israel, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

Biden Challenger Dean Phillips Ends Campaign, Backs Biden After Super Tuesday Struggle

Published by The Western Journal A Democratic member of Congress who waged a lonely primary battle against President Joe Biden is calling it quits. Minnesota Rep. Dean Philips suspended his presidential campaign on Wednesday, after failing to gain traction in any of the Super Tuesday primary contests. The long-shot candidate announced the end on a

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Nordot, USA

OpEd: Biden’s Chances for Reelection Better than Even

After Michigan, I am less worried about the outcome of the general election, assuming that Biden and Trump are the nominees. I also expect that Democrats will retake control of the House of Representatives; Democratic turnout is usually heavier during presidential elections. However, it is a reasonable possibility that Republicans will flip the Senate with a narrow majority. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA