On Shabbat, we receive an expanded vitality: heightened joy, deeper peace, expanded capacity for gratitude, and a profound sense of wholeness. It is as if God breathes fresh life into us anew, allowing our souls to “catch up” and even surpass the pace of the week. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Parsha Vayakhel: Shabbat brings with it an extra soul Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Effective Thursday, February 26, the Kansas state government passed a law that invalidated the drivers licenses of transgender people in the state overnight and ordered them to surrender their IDs. This law is harmful and unconstitutional; the ACLU filed a lawsuit in Kansas state court, working to overturn it, or at least buy time for transgender residents. [Press Release}
Transgender people ordered to surrender their Kansas drivers’ licenses Read More »
Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Jewish Federation of San Diego President & CEO Heidi Gantwerk has been invited by Jewish Federations of North America to be featured in a special national briefing tomorrow morning, March 12, on the conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. [Press Release]
Heidi Gantwerk to participate in national hookup about Mideast War Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams with matches June 11 to July 19, 2026. Competing in its 13th World Cup, Switzerland will be based in San Diego and will play in the group stage against Qatar in Santa Clara on June 13, a UEFA playoff winner in Los Angeles on June 18, and against co-host nation Canada in Vancouver. [Press Release]
SD Jewish Academy to serve as base camp for Swiss national soccer team Read More »
International, Press Release, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA
Nina Hagen (March 11, 1955) is a German singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her theatrical vocals and rise to prominence during the punk and Neue Deutsche Welle movements in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She is known as “The Godmother of German Punk”. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish descendant’s birthday: Nina Hagen Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
–Two Israeli civilians killed in missile strike
–Significant increase in the level of rocket and drone fire from Lebanon
–Schools in Israel remain shuttered, and most restrictions continue … [Press Release]
Special update from Israel: March 10, 2026 Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Press Release, USA
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism will be debated as a city policy by the San Diego City Council at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17. The event includes a security screening in the lobby. [Cailin Acosta]
S.D. City Council to debate IHRA definition of antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
The recording was made using a device hidden in the robe of a mole within the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The device, smuggled into Iran by an Israeli spy, was radio-activated when an order of bagels and lox was delivered to a meeting of the IRGC’s executive board. [Bruce Lowitt]
Satire: Inside Iran choosing a new Supreme Leader Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Henry Garfinkle, 26, from Toronto, Canada, arrived in Israel on March 8th, while Michael DeLuca, 39, from North Carolina, USA, landed on March 9th after both experienced flight disruptions due to the outbreak of the war with Iran. [Press Release]
Two immigrate to Israel despite ongoing Middle East war Read More »
International, Israel, Lifestyles, Press Release, Travel and Food, USA
“Hadassah has never sat on the sidelines and we are not going to do so at this pivotal moment,” said Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz. “We are bringing the combined strength of nearly 300,000 members, donors and supporters directly to Congress to stand firm against antisemitism, to uphold the strategic US-Israel alliance and to safeguard the health and well-being of women everywhere.” [Press Release]
Hadassah lobbies Congress on antisemitism, Middle Eastern and women’s issues Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Middle East, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
The Gámez-Cuéllar family followed the rules. They came into the country at a border crossing in Brownsville and claimed asylum. They attended court dates and check-ins. [Sara Jacobs]
ICE continues to arrest legal asylum seekers Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Lillian Wald (March 10, 1867 – September 1, 1940) was an American nurse, humanitarian and author. She strove for human rights and started American community nursing. She founded the Henry Street Settlement in New York City and was an early advocate for nurses in public schools. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Lillian Wald Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The SAVE Act would destroy our mail-in ballot system, enact registration requirements that would make it harder for millions of Americans to vote, and initiate massive purges of voter rolls. [Press Release]
Upcoming legislation in Congress and at San Diego City Council Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
Monitoring English, Arabic and Farsi-language content, CyberWell identified several antisemitic narratives and trending content glorifying violence against Jews and celebrating attacks on Israeli civilians. [Press Release]
CyberWell alerts social media administrators to spike in antisemitic postings Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Press Release, USA