Our Shtetl San Diego County: The Local Jewish Political Scene

County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer was re-elected as vice chair of the County Board of Supervisors, which once again will be chaired by Supervisor Nora Vargas.  There’s an interesting split among three Democrats and two Republicans on the technically non-partisan Board of Supervisor.  The Democrats are all women – Vargas, Lawson-Remer, and Monica Montgomery-Steppe – while the Republicans are both men: Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond. [SDJW staff]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: The Local Jewish Political Scene Read More »

Antisemitism, Business & Finance, California, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Deforestation in the Amazon Led to Reduced Thunderstorms, Tel Aviv Researchers Repor

“These findings are worrying because a decrease in the amount of storms leads to a decrease in the amount of rain, which in turn causes further damage to the forests. This is a dangerous feedback loop, which could severely damage the forests that provide the earth with a significant portion of the oxygen in the atmosphere and absorb a large portion of the carbon dioxide emitted by us into the atmosphere.” [Tel Aviv University Press Release]

Deforestation in the Amazon Led to Reduced Thunderstorms, Tel Aviv Researchers Repor Read More »

Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share

StandWithUs Unites Diverse Ethnic Groups in Defense of Israel

Laniado, the regional director, told me that correcting lies and misinformation about Israel while fighting domestic antisemitism are missions so urgent that without such an effort, “in five years, we won’t be able to put the mezuzahs on our doors,” maybe even sooner than that. [Donald H. Harrison]

StandWithUs Unites Diverse Ethnic Groups in Defense of Israel Read More »

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

Hebrew Calendar Based on Controversial Approximations

Scholars, such as Azariah de’ Rossi, in his The Light of the Eyes, speculate that the anno mundi — also known as the Hebrew calendar — may have originated around the sixth century, after the Talmudic Period. While this seems to be the date of its origin, it was not until relatively recently that Jews began to use it. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Hebrew Calendar Based on Controversial Approximations Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parasha Va’eira: Accepting Life’s Challenges

This week we learn of Abraham’s test to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. It’s the only challenge of the ten trials in the Torah clearly identified as a “test.” Hashem needed to test Abraham? After all, isn’t He omniscient? Yes, but the purpose of these tests are to elevate Abraham, to help him grow. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Parasha Va’eira: Accepting Life’s Challenges Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Explainer-What is the genocide case against Israel at top UN court?

Published by Reuters By Stephanie van den Berg THE HAGUE (Reuters) – The International Court of Justice will hold hearings this week on a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza war and seeking an emergency suspension of its military campaign. WHAT IS THE ICJ? The ICJ, also called the

Explainer-What is the genocide case against Israel at top UN court? Read More »

International, Israel, Middle East, Nordot

Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after blocking NYC bridges, tunnel

Published by Reuters By Shannon Stapleton NEW YORK (Reuters) -Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked several New York City bridges and a tunnel on Monday to demand an immediate ceasefire in the three-month-old Israel-Hamas conflict before police arrested hundreds of them and reopened the roadways. Dozens of chanting demonstrators sat at entrances to the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg

Hundreds of Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after blocking NYC bridges, tunnel Read More »

Israel, Travel and Food, USA

Natalie Portman: ‘Method acting is a luxury not afforded to women!’

Published by BANG Showbiz English Natalie Portman isn’t able to practice method acting because she is a woman. The 42-year-old actress – who has Alpeh, 12, and six-year-old Amalia with husband Benjamin Millepied – has carved out a successful career in Hollywood since starting out in showbusiness as a child and has even won an

Natalie Portman: ‘Method acting is a luxury not afforded to women!’ Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Israel and Arab Nations Reps. Discuss Mideast Coexistence Jan. 16

A delegation representing Israel, Bahrain, Egypt, and Morocco will discuss the Abraham Accords, the Hamas attack on Israel Oct. 7, the subsequent war in Gaza, and the prospects for encouraging “a constructive and positive way forward for Arabs and Israelis.” [SDJW staff]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Israel and Arab Nations Reps. Discuss Mideast Coexistence Jan. 16 Read More »

California, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Baruch Spinoza: The Universal Anti-Hero

Spinoza was regarded in the Amsterdam community as what the rabbis call an “illui” ̶ outstanding disciple. However, the “illui” had a critical view of the Bible and Talmud, not treating them as sacred books, but subjecting them to analysis. He scoffed at the Jewish chosenness and questioned the chronology of the Bible. He argued that Moses could not be the author of the Pentateuch. The books of Moses, in his judgment, were not written by one man and not for the people of one era. [Alex Gordon, Ph.D]

Baruch Spinoza: The Universal Anti-Hero Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Running for the Lives of the Hostages in Gaza

The goal of this global movement is to show world leaders that we all care about this. With every step we take, we would like for these leaders to help put pressure on Hamas to release the hostages. Wonderfully, locals, who are not Israeli or Jewish and have no connection to Israel are joining this movement because of their compassion for the hostages. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Running for the Lives of the Hostages in Gaza Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, International, Israel, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA