Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rashi

In most modern editions of the Talmud, Rashi’s extensive commentaries on 30 of the 39 tractates may be found among  various other commentators’ notes that bracket individual Talmudic passages. Scholars believe his commentaries grew out of lectures and responsas to students at his yeshiva. [SDJW staff]

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

Large Delegation of Sha’ar Hanegev Students Heading to San Diego Jewish Academy

One hundred thirty 11th and 12th graders from Sha’ar Hanegev in Israel, a region in Southern Israel that was ravaged during the October 7th Hamas attacks, will visit the San Diego Jewish Academy at the end of February.  This is the largest student delegation to visit the U.S. since the war started. [SDJA Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

JNF San Diego Luncheon Hears of War in Gaza, Reconstruction in Southern Israel

“If they impose a ceasefire on us, guess what, Hamas wins!” he said. “Hamas gets away with mass murder. Those 200,000 Israelis (who have been relocated from towns and communities near the Lebanese and Gaza borders) will not be able to come back to their homes. Our enemies in the region will internalize that they can hit us with impunity and…we will not be able to strike back because we will be slapped with a ceasefire.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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

OpEd: House Republicans Stunned by Suozzi’s Victory in Long Island

Suozzi’s victory inspired confidence that Democrats can prevail next Nov. 5 in the presidential and congressional elections, and Fitzpatrick’s legislation appears to be a sign that many Republicans feel so vulnerable that they are terrified. Most of Fitzpatrick’s seven co-sponsors, like himself, represent swing districts. Fitzpatrick’s district, mostly Bucks County, borders Northeast Philadelphia, which is one mile north of my residence. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Brazil condemns ‘paralysis’ on Gaza, Ukraine at tense G20 meeting

Published by AFP Rio de Janeiro (AFP) – Brazil criticized the “paralysis” of the UN Security Council on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine as it opened a G20 meeting Wednesday where the international community’s deep divisions were on display. The outlook is bleak for progress on the thorny agenda of conflicts and crises gripping

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International, Israel, Nordot, USA

Beyond Terror: Hamas’s campaign of sexual violence uncovered in disturbing report

Published by ANI News Tel Aviv [Israel], February 22 (ANI/TPS): Hamas committed “brutal sexual assaults, carried out systematically and deliberately” on October 7, a report released on Wednesday, the first such report to detail the day’s sexual violence. “Hamas’s attack included violent acts of rape, accompanied by threats with weapons, and in some cases, targeted

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Israel, Middle East, Nordot

Blinken tells Lula US ‘disagrees’ with Brazilian’s Gaza genocide remarks

Published by AFP Brasília (AFP) – Secretary of State Antony Blinken told President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that the United States disagrees with controversial remarks by the Brazilian leader comparing Israel’s actions in Gaza to the Holocaust, a US official said Wednesday. Blinken “made clear we disagree with those comments” in a more than

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International, Israel, Nordot, USA

Parshat Tetzaveh: The Symbolic Importance of Pure Olive Oil

What is the Torah trying to teach us with this mandate to use the best oil for lighting the Menorah, whereas for the meal-offerings, the Menachot, we are only required to use this secondary oil? (Interestingly, it is noteworthy that the norm is for us to use our best oil for cooking and meal prep, but for lamp fuel, we are ok using subpar oil as long as it lights well – just the opposite!) [Rabbi Daniel Reich]

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Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Matzo Chronicles: Northern Lights, Familial Sights

I knew that even if we didn’t see the lights, I won’t be “too” disappointed. The truth is I had already seen them years ago — through my father’s eyes and words, written eight decades before  in magnificent wonder to my mother from blistering cold southeastern Newfoundland. [Karen Galatz]

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Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Maurycy Gottlieb

His painting “Shylock and Jessica” won the Gold Medal at the Munich Academy. Later, he returned to Vienna to study under Heinrich von Angeli, and produced paintings on biblical themes. Meeting in Rome, Matejko urged him to return to Krakow to work on a series of monumental paintings including scenes depicting the history of the Jews in Poland. [SDJW staff]

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International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday

Schiff, Garvey Prove to Be the Pro-Israel Candidates in California’s Race for U.S. Senate

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey proved themselves the most pro-Israel candidates of the four who debated on NBC and Telemundo television stations Tuesday evening, Feb. 20.  Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee was the most pro-Palestinian, and Democratic Rep. Katie Porter occupied middle ground. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Chapatti’ at Scripps Ranch Theatre Reaches into Lonely Human Hearts

The dialogue is honest and self-reflective. Dan’s hopelessness has him questioning the value of life without another’s recognition or memory.  For Betty, after a loveless marriage, the middle-aged woman wants to be loved and valued. Both characters know the love and companionship of their respective dog and cats, but each longs for a human’s affection to give them validation and meaning.  [Eva Trieger]

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

Prince William receives message from Israel after rare intervention into Middle East conflict

Published by GB News (US) Prince William has received a message from Israel after his rare intervention into the Middle East conflict. Today, the Prince of Wales stated that he “wants to see an end to the fighting” between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli government has since responded to William’s intervention into the Gaza conflict.

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International, Israel, Nordot

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Rep. Sara Jacobs Calls for Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza

“…Months of dropping tens of thousands of bombs, munitions, and shells on Gaza have failed to eliminate Hamas – and a ground invasion in a densely packed city would lead to even more civilian casualties, worsen Israel’s reputation on the world stage, and fail to make Israel any safer.” [SDJW Staff Report]

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