Parashat Bo: Overcoming Your Fears

When Hashem directs Moses, “come to Pharaoh,” He is saying “come to Me.” The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches in a parable that He is saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am here behind the screen. All the tests are just from me. With everything you do, you’re getting closer to Me. I am the good found in all the struggle. Come to Me and I will take you high above the darkness of this world, and then I will show you how I was really with you the whole time.” In essence he is suggesting the famous FEAR acronym “Face Everything and Rise,” rather than “Forget Everything and Run.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Middle Eastern Studies Association Honors Anti-Israel Professor at S.F. State

The naming of Professor Rabab Abdulhadi, director of the SFSU’s Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Studies (AMED) program, for MESA’s 2022 award reveals both the pathological animus against Israel harbored by the group and also its willingness to reward Abdulhadi for her execrable record of radical anti-Israel, antisemitic campus activism at San Francisco State University. [Richard L. Cravatts, Ph.D]

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California, Israel, Opinion, Richard L. Cravatts, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Albert Einstein’s Special Relationship with Israel

In October 2022, the Israeli government approved the establishment of a museum in honor of Albert Einstein, to be located on The Hebrew University’s Safra Campus in Givat Ram, Jerusalem. In addition to the new museum, Albert Einstein’s name is prevalent in Israel, as it adorns street signs in Lod, Petach Tikva, and Haifa. These cities have honored Einstein because, in addition to being arguably the most brilliant scientific mind in the twentieth century, and a Jew, he was also a devoted supporter of the State of Israel.    [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, Israel

Holocaust Refuge at Fort Ontario, New York, Recalled

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was too concerned about negative public opinion to take the leadership on finding refuge in the United States for European Jewry during the early years of the Holocaust, scholar Lawrence Baron told a bruncheon audience at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Sunday. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

Three Jewish Poets Share Their Creativity at the JCC

Julie Potiker, Robert Nejmias, and Lisa Schwartz were the featured poets for the second evening of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices’ 15th season on January 17 at the Astor Judaica Library in the Lawrence Family JCC.  They all read their own works and the audience was totally engaged by the creativity and beauty of their poems, as well as their self-assured presentations.  Examples from each are at the end of this article. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard

Sunday Soundoff: Transgendered Women, Christening Ceremonies, and Israel

Having been “retired” as editor and publisher of San Diego Jewish World for more than a year, I find myself wanting to write occasional opinion columns in addition to the book reviews and features which I’ve continued to submit to our publication’s new leader Jacob Kamaras. So, with the indulgence of you readers, I’m going to sound off periodically on issues of concern to me as a Jew. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, USA

‘The Ferryman’ Warns What Can Occur When Peoples are Divided

New Village Arts is continuing its groundbreaking mission with the West Coast premiere of Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman. Kristianne Kurner will direct this show for its first foray in the US outside of Broadway, where the show earned the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play.  This epic piece of theatre will serve as the debut show for the newly renamed Conrad Prebys Theatre at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Ukrainian Pianist Romanenko Delights at Impromptu Recital

Pianist Iegor Romanenko from Kharkiv, Ukraine, sat down to give an impromptu recital last Sunday afternoon at the home of Solana Salons’ hostess, Monique Kunewalder. Although arranged just days before, Romanenko’s performance drew fifty guests to listen to this talented refugee musician. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

A Case of Theological Thuggery in Israel

Horrifying statement from a newly elected MK: “Our banner is one of unambiguous war on progress. The status-quo has to be changed, ensuring that Judaism is acknowledged in every corner of the life of the State. Israel will be a country that observes the Sabbath in public, homosexual families will not be given recognition, and women will not serve in the army; their contribution will be to marry and produce a family. We will not be like countries that are for all their citizens. Heaven forfend. The values of Judaism supersede all individual rights. Look, I’m getting tools and budgets, I’m here to work, and we will clean up the public systems. Watch me, I’m patient, this is just the beginning of the beginning.” [Dorothea Sherfer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion