JCC’s preschool graduation ignites pride and hope

The prayer, masterfully sung by Jennifer Meltzer, asks for blessings upon the teachers, upon their students, and upon the students of their students. It reminds us that learning is not simply the transfer of knowledge. It is a relationship, a chain of connection, a sacred partnership between generations. [Betzy Lynch]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Fit’ bars many Black, Queer rabbis from congregational posts

The rabbi at the margins must possess every credential the listing demands, and then, on top of that, perform fit. The rabbi at the unmarked center gets to be a fit by default. Everyone else has to earn it on top of the job. You can be twice as qualified and half a candidate. [Rabbi Sandra Lawson]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Introducing Shahar Masori and his children’s books

I persuaded him to write a column for San Diego Jewish World to offer an Israeli-American perspective on the news.  As he did so, the writing bug must have bitten him.  He poured himself into writing some books for children, and now books for adults are in the works. [Donald H. Harrison]

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animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Sandi Masori, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

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