San Diego’s Jewish executives forge bonds with Sha’ar HaNegev counterparts

Last week, our Israeli counterparts visited here to understand what it means to be Jewish in America today, and how Jewish organizations are working to ensure that we are safe and that Jewish life thrives in San Diego. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Why one Southern California student chose to build her future in Israel

Originally from Huntington Beach, Isti was graduated from the Hebrew Academy of Orange County. After high school, she spent two years studying at Michlelet Mevaseret Yeushalayim (MMY), a Jerusalem-based seminary program for American young women. What began as a temporary educational experience quickly became something much deeper. [Jacob Kamaras]

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California, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Love, marriage, and sex as told by my father, a rabbi

The controversial reception to Dad’s Marriage Made in Heaven stemmed primarily from its explicit and frank discussion of sexual intimacy, which many in the Orthodox rabbinate in 1958 considered inappropriate for public consumption. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Leibman to step down in 2027 as President and CEO of Mazon

“…For 15 years, it has been my privilege and my responsibility to lead MAZON in these efforts – work that has allowed me to demonstrate not only how crucial it is for our country to ensure that no one goes hungry, but to show our policymakers just what is possible if we ensure our policies reflect our values. …” (Press Release0

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Press Release, USA

Parsha Beha’alotecha: Light one candle for the strength that we need

The Sifrei explains that the flame had to rise independently, teaching that genuine spiritual growth cannot be forced externally; it must awaken from within. The role of a leader, parent, teacher, or friend is not to control another person’s flame, but to help kindle it until it can sustain itself. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Van Hollen’s OpEd in NYTimes forgets Barak & Clinton offer to Arafat

President Clinton hosted a summit at Camp David where Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered Arab leader Yasser Arafat a plan for an independent state covering all of Gaza, eastern Jerusalem and 93 percent of the West Bank. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Essentials of Judaism’ will please life-long Jews and those studying for conversion

The authors created a text that speaks simultaneously to the intellectually curious reader, the seeker of religious inspiration, and the conversion student searching for a reliable and comprehensive guide. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin}

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish birthday: Chuck Barris

Charles Barris (June 3, 1929 – March 21, 2017) was an American game show creator, producer, and host, author, and songwriter. A key crew member of several hugely successful television game shows, he was the creator of The Dating Game (1965–2021), the original producer of The Newlywed Game (1966–2013) both for the ABC network and syndication, and the host and producer of The Gong Show from 1976 to 1980, for the NBC network and syndication. [Wikipedia]

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Forgotten video provides insights into Holocaust survivor Edith Eger’s life, philosophy

Dr. Edith Eger, who was a Holocaust survivor, author, psychologist, and longtime resident of La Jolla, California, passed away on April 27.. Her family recently came across one of the last videos she recorded, which shows her wise, warm, fierce, and full-of-joy message. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Novel probes what an immigrant star did during World War II

This historical novel is loosely inspired by Audrey Hepburn, the Dutch Resistance, and the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. It follows two sisters as they reunite after World War II and embark on a journey filled with justice, survival, and long-buried secrets against the backdrop of the Red Scare in Hollywood. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Staff and Bylined Contributors