Roles, Tasks, Resources — Understanding the Controlling Forces

By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — “They don’t allow it,” you’re told. “They wouldn’t like it….” “They have decided…” “It’s up to them.” We hear such common pronouncements often, but who are they? They are “the powers that be,” the nameless, faceless others who control our lives. They are the systems, institutions, […]

Roles, Tasks, Resources — Understanding the Controlling Forces Read More »

Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion

‘Butterfly Project’ Fuses Holocaust Education and Israel Education, Raises Hope

By Daniela Ben Joseph SAN DIEGO — On the beautiful morning of April 10, The Butterfly Project in collaboration with the StandWithUs San Diego High School Department, held a Holocaust education program at the House of Israel. The International Village in Balboa Park where it is located, receives hundreds of visitors each weekend, making it the

‘Butterfly Project’ Fuses Holocaust Education and Israel Education, Raises Hope Read More »

Holocaust, International, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Jerusalem’s Temple Mount: The Epicenter of Violence

By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — There’s been a lot of mayhem lately at the Temple Mount (the summit of Mount Moriah) in Jerusalem, which is a magnet for religious Jews, especially during Passover. Because this year Passover, Easter, and the Muslim holiday of Ramadan coincided, more violence than usual has resulted. The current

Jerusalem’s Temple Mount: The Epicenter of Violence Read More »

Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer

Uptick of Antisemitic Incidents in San Diego, While US Antisemitism Reaches All-Time High in 2021

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — ADL’s annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents issued today found that the Jewish community of San Diego County experienced 38 recorded incidents, including 14 incidents of vandalism of businesses, places of worship, and schools, 23 incidents of targeted online and in-person harassment, and 1 incident of assault. “These numbers are alarming

Uptick of Antisemitic Incidents in San Diego, While US Antisemitism Reaches All-Time High in 2021 Read More »

California, USA

Solid Base of Support, But Points of Divergence in New Survey of Millennial Jews

(JNS) An American Jewish Committee survey of U.S. and Israeli Jewish millennials shows that Israel-Diaspora relations remain strong but also indicates points of divergence regarding what role Diaspora Jews should have in influencing Israeli policies, antisemitism in the United States and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The first-ever parallel survey of Jews, ages 25 to 40, was

Solid Base of Support, But Points of Divergence in New Survey of Millennial Jews Read More »

Middle East, USA

Israel’s Mess

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Israel is currently in the midst of a mess. But, like others that Israelis have experienced, it is likely to be temporary. The context is made up of several major holidays, the month of Ramadan, plus Pesach, and several holidays around Easter. Those manage to heighten feelings that we

Israel’s Mess Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion

Social Worker Serves as a Lay Rabbi for Elderly Residents of Paradise Village

Lazard, a social worker employed by the County of San Diego to determine financial and residential eligibility for cradle-to-21-year-old residents with major disabilities, says he is happiest when he gets to sing, particularly Jewish prayer songs. Through his tutoring of Ruth Sax, he got to know other Jewish residents of Paradise Village, and before long he was asked to officiate at the monthly Shabbat service. He met with Paradise Village’s Chaplain, Harry Bennett, before accepting the volunteer gig. Services are held in the non-denominational chapel, which has a stained-glass window bearing a picture of a dove. [Donald H. Harrison]

Social Worker Serves as a Lay Rabbi for Elderly Residents of Paradise Village Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA