Jews in the News: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

Lisa Berman Hernandez, president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, shed some light on what led up to her congregation’s American-Israeli Rabbi Hanan Leberman being disinvited to deliver the benediction at an “All Peoples” breakfast on Monday honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the News: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Parsha Bo: Awakening the heart amid modern darkness

The Rebbe replied: This plague was not darkness in the eyes alone. It was a deeper darkness—a numbness of the heart where no one cared for their neighbor. No one felt the pain of another. No one rose to help the hopeless or answer cries of despair. In that profound apathy, society descended into terrifying isolation. That is the terror of such darkness. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Parsha Bo: Awakening the heart amid modern darkness Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the News: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Deborah Lipstadt, a former special envoy to counter antisemitism in Joe Biden’s administration, and Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, were offended by reports that Kamala Harris’ vetting team for her potential vice presidential running mates asked Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro if he had ever been a double agent for Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the News: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The disrupted dream: A fractured fellowship in San Diego

The reason cited—”concerns over potential disruption related to Zionism”—was a direct strike at Rabbi Leberman’s lifelong identity. As a man who has studied, served, and raised a family in Israel, his very presence was deemed a liability. This was no minor logistical adjustment; it was a deliberate choice that erased the presence of Jewish clergy from an event meant to embody Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

The disrupted dream: A fractured fellowship in San Diego Read More »

Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Brahms interpreted by pianist Mark-Andre Hamelin at SDSO concert conducted by Thomas Guggeis

With large gestures, the tall, slim Guggeis led the San Diego musicians in a memorable concert featuring the 64-year-old French-Canadian pianist, Marc-Andre Hamelin, in a dramatic rendition of Brahms’ Piano Concerto #1 in D minor, followed, after intermission, by an inspiring reading of Dvorak’s 7th Symphony. [Eileen Wingard]

Brahms interpreted by pianist Mark-Andre Hamelin at SDSO concert conducted by Thomas Guggeis Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Was Shakespeare Jewish?

Some support for the view that Shakespeare was not an antisemite and possibly even a Jew comes from the speech by the Jew Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, delivered in Act III, Scene 1, of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The speech defends Jewish humanity in response to the mistreatment he suffered at the hands of some Christians. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Was Shakespeare Jewish? Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jews in the news: Sunday, Jan. 19, 2026

“By sharing our expertise with U.S. agencies, we help investigators across the United States to better understand the unique customs surrounding Jewish fatalities,” said ZAKA U.S. Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg. “We showcase how Israel has integrated these customs into its emergency and investigative practices and discuss what can be adapted in their own jurisdictions.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Jews in the news: Sunday, Jan. 19, 2026 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Tale of an oleh: A satisfying life in two countries

I met the most wonderful girl in San Diego. We were married in June 1968. Together we decided our home would be kept Kosher. Being strictly kosher wasn’t a realistic option on a US Navy ship. Some of you know that I was talking with Madeline and said “We will live in Israel after I leave the Navy. Oh, and by the way, Will you marry me?” She agreed. When she was asked, later, about what brought her to Israel, her reply was always “Not what, but who.” [Aryeh Wetherhorn]

Tale of an oleh: A satisfying life in two countries Read More »

Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA