History that reads like a heart-stopping suspense novel

Golda Meir, drenched in cold sweat, knows exactly what that call means: war is coming, lives are hanging by a thread, and the weight of a nation rests on one trembling hand reaching for the receiver. Do you answer? Or do you let it ring, pretending the nightmare hasn’t begun? [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jews in the news: Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026

“Today, on behalf of President Trump, we are announcing the launch of Phase Two of the President’s 20-Point Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, moving from ceasefire to demilitarization, technocratic governance, and reconstruction. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Disabled’ people throughout history have been the most able

Pharaoh embodies the classic addict’s cycle, swearing after every devastating “hangover” (plague) that he’ll change—”I swear I’ll never do it again!”—only to relapse the moment the pain subsides, as he did time after time. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parsha Va’eira: Growing through the hail

The plagues themselves are not acts of revenge. They are acts of moral clarity. Pharaoh believes power comes from domination. Hashem reveals that true power flows from justice, accountability, and truth. Va’eira teaches that when lies go unchallenged, cruelty flourishes. Silence enables oppression. Moral clarity requires voice, even when speaking is uncomfortable. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Rep. Sara Jacobs: Renee Nicole Good murdered by ICE agent

Because multiple bystanders were exercising their First Amendment rights by filming ICE’s actions on their cell phones, we all saw her brutal murder with our own eyes — which makes the Trump administration’s immediate and ongoing attempts to gaslight the public and cruelly twist the truth even more outrageous. [Sara Jacobs]

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Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Federation offers tips for standing up to antisemitism

Jewish Federation of San Diego launched its “Standing Up to Antisemitism Toolkit, an online resource to help individuals respond to antisemitism, report incidents, and empower them to take meaningful action across San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish birthday: Trevor Rabin

Trevor Rabin (January 13, 1954) is a South African musician, songwriter and composer, known as a one-time member of both progressive rock band Yes and pop-rock band Rabbitt, as well as for releasing solo albums and composing numerous film scores including Con Air, Armageddon, Remember the Titans and National Treasure. [Wikipedia]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

‘Mama’s Boys’ podcast explores Jewish masculinity

None of the participants really oozed machismo by discussing sports, firearms or strippers. However, they all admitted to repressing vulnerable emotions to meet society’s expectations of manhood. And yet Kutner related how men making a minyan to say the Mourners’ Kaddish is a profound way for Jewish men to cry. [Eric George Tauber]

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Eric George Tauber, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jews in the News: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

Fourteen Democratic U.S. Senators led by Alex Padilla of California and Ron Wyden of Oregon have filed a friends-of-the-court brief in the mail ballot case of Watson vs. Republican National Committee. That dispute involves the Republican party trying to invalidate a Mississippi law stating that so long as a mail-in ballot is postmarked on Election Day or before, it may be counted for up to five days beyond the election. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA