B’Shalom: Body Image, Military History, Baseball Classic, Jewish Political News

Kristine Schomaker’s eating disorder had made her feel “othered” since her girlhood. She tried to imagine herself as a slender blonde but when she looked into the mirror, she saw herself as she was, a very large woman. Rather than hide from her physical presence, she decided to embrace it. She invited 59 fellow artists to depict her in the nude. Sculptures, photographs, paintings, and drawings in various media resulted in an exhibition now being shown through April 13 at the Mesa College Art Gallery. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA

The Story Behind a San Diego Couple’s Historic Gift to Israel

Documentary filmmaker Matthew Mishory has done a deep dive into the background of a San Diego couple who lived quietly, scrimped to such a point that they even reused their paper towels, and through their daughter made the largest philanthropic donation to Israel in the history of the Jewish state: $500 million. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Scholz Expresses ‘Great Concern’ Over Netanyahu Reforms

Published by DPA German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed his concerns about the controversial judicial reforms in Israel during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Berlin. “As partners who share democratic values and close friends of Israel, we are following this debate very closely – and I will not conceal this: with great concern,” Scholz

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Israel

First-in-a-Generation Study Shows Positive Influence of Rabbis on Young American Jews

(Press Release) Young American Jews want more experiences with rabbis because those interactions help them feel more spiritually connected and more connected to a Jewish community, says a new report released today from Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation. The first-in-a-generation research, conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group, paints a rich picture of what factors lead

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Jewish Religion, USA

Israel Approves Export Licenses for Drone Jamming Systems for Ukraine

Published by Ukrainska Pravda Israel recently approved export licences for the possible sale of anti-drone jamming systems that could help Ukraine counter Iranian drones used by Russia during the war, three Israeli and Ukrainian officials said. Source: Axios Quote: “It’s the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine more than a year ago that Israel has

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International

Israeli and Arab Scientists Work Together to Solve Regional Water Challenges

By Celia Theller With its origins near the city of Hebron, the Besor Stream winds its way 18 kilometers through the Negev Desert to the city of Beersheva and onward to the Gaza Strip, where it empties into the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of 16 streams in Israel that are shared between Israel and

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Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

San Diegans Gather for a Night of Unity and Hope in Defiance of Antisemitism

By Sam Litvin SAN DIEGO — “We have been playing defense. You can’t win a war with defense, you have to have offense” proclaimed Elan Carr, the former U.S. special envoy for monitoring and combating antisemitism, during last Sunday’s “Fighting Antisemitism With Love” event at San Diego State University. The event was put on by

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Sam Litvin, San Diego County, USA

SD County Board of Supervisors Passes Resolution Denouncing Antisemitism

By Elizabeth Ireland Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday denounced antisemitic rhetoric and hate crimes with a resolution, citing rising antisemitic crimes in recent years. Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer introduced the resolution. “Our action today reaffirms the County of San Diego’s stance

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San Diego County

Rational Thoughts on Vayakhel, Pekudei, Shabbat, Synagogues, and More

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Two biblical Torah portions are read this week. The portion of Vayakhel, Exodus 35:1-38:20, contains the Sabbath law, which the rabbis translated as “You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day,” which the Sadducees translated as “You shall have no fire throughout

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Hate Crimes in US Surged 11.6% in 2021; More Than Half Targeted Jews

Published by Reuters By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hate crimes in the United States surged 11.6% in 2021, with the largest number motivated by bias against Black people, followed by crimes targeting victims for ethnicity, sexuality and religion, the FBI said in a report released on Monday. The FBI said reported hate crime incidents

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USA

Meats and Eats Offers San Diego a More Boutique Kosher Shopping Experience

By Jacob Kamaras DEL MAR, California — One year ago, Meats and Eats opened in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center with the mission of offering San Diego a new option for kosher shopping. In the ensuing months, the business also came to embrace the diversity of the local Jewish community and its palate. Jacobo

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Business & Finance, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County