Historical Novel Tells of 19th Century Yemenite Jews

The pomegranate pendant of the title was fashioned in gold as a wedding gift for Mazal, a fourteen-year-old Yemenite girl who is the narrator of the book. The events she recounts begin in the capital of Yemen, Sana’a, in the modest home where she lives with her parents and siblings. Her father, a skilled artisan who fashions the intricate filigree jewelry that is produced by many of Yemen’s Jews, informs his daughter that his apprentice, Ezra, has asked for her hand in marriage, and that he, her father, had given his approval. The pendant was made by Ezra, as a gift for his bride. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Travel and Food

Democrat Max Rose Eyeing Comeback In NYC’s Only Conservative Congressional District

Published by uPolitics.com Former United States Rep. Max Rose (D-New York) announced that he will challenge incumbent Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-New York) in next year’s midterm election, setting up an ideological showdown in a rare conservative New York City congressional district that includes the southwestern tip of Brooklyn as well as all of Staten Island,

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USA

Biden administration asks U.S. Supreme Court to reject Harvard affirmative action case

Published by Reuters By Nate Raymond BOSTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration on Wednesday urged the U.S. Supreme Court to decline to hear a case against Harvard University challenging the ability of it and other schools to consider race as a factor in student admissions to boost diversity. The justices in June asked

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Science, Medicine, & Education

Exclusive-As diplomacy stutters, U.S., Israel to discuss military drills for Iran scenario -U.S. official

Published by Reuters By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. and Israeli defense chiefs are expected on Thursday to discuss possible military exercises that would prepare for a worst-case scenario to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities should diplomacy fail and if their nations’ leaders request it, a senior U.S. official told Reuters. The scheduled U.S. talks

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Middle East

Chula Vista Eye Doctor Invents App for the Color Blind

Dr. Robert Penner, 91, has done a lot of things in his life. He was an ophthalmologist with a private practice in Chula Vista; a colonel in the Army Reserve; president of the San Diego County Medical Society and of the San Diego County Eye Bank; and chairman of the San Diego Port Commission, among other distinctions. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Steven Spielberg says West Side Story has ‘permeated his life’

Published by BANG Showbiz English Steven Spielberg says ‘West Side Story’ has “permeated” his life since he was a child. The legendary filmmaker – who has worked on his own big screen adaptation of the 1957 Jerome Robbins musical starring Rachel Zeigler, Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose and Rita Moreno, who played Anita in the original

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Jewish Celebrities

U.S. Supreme Court conservatives lean toward more public dollars for religious schools

Published by Reuters By Andrew Chung (Reuters) – Conservative U.S. Supreme Court justices on Wednesday appeared ready to further expand public funding of religiously based entities, indicating sympathy toward a challenge by two Christian families to a Maine tuition assistance program that excludes private schools that promote religious beliefs. The court heard nearly two hours

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USA

ADL: Anti-Israel Groups on College Campuses Harassing Jewish Students

During the 2020-21 academic year, a vocal segment of the anti-Israel groups and activists on campus continued to engage in rhetoric that often demeaned or ostracized many pro-Israel Jewish students. At times, antisemitic tropes were invoked. This became a flashpoint during the conflict between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, according to ADL’s (Anti-Defamation League) annual assessment of anti-Israel actions on campus. {Anti-Defamation League]

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Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

StandWithUs Condemns CAIR Executive’s Antisemitism

StandWithUs strongly condemns the overtly antisemitic speeches given by Zahra Billoo and Nihad Awad, two senior officials at the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The speeches took place at the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) Annual Conference in Chicago on November 27, 2021. Both AMP and CAIR have a long and growing record of actions and rhetoric that meet the internationally accepted IHRA Definition of Antisemitism. [StandWithUs]

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Travel and Food

Richard Lerner, who led Scripps Research to greatness, dies at 83

Richard Lerner, the masterful biochemist who guided Scripps Research on its way to becoming an elite center for biomedical science and helped develop Humira, the highest-selling therapeutic drug in the world last year, died on Dec. 2. He was 83. The private, nonprofit institute told the San Diego Union-Tribune that Lerner died of cancer at his home in La Jolla. [San Diego Union-Tribne]

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Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Omar Should Point at Herself When She Denounces Hostile Rhetoric

Says U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, “Words can cause violence.” The Minneapolis Democrat was referring to the words of Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who represents much of western and southern Colorado. Omar could have been referring to her own words – words like “the evil doings of Israel,” “the apartheid Israeli regime” and “all about the Benjamins” in reference to pro-Israel lobbying. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

StandWithUs Gala Attracts 400+ Israel Supporters

The show was sold out and had a waiting list.  More than 400 Israel supporters of all ages, faiths and political persuasions joined StandWithUs as it celebrated its 20th year anniversary at its annual “Festival of Lights” gala, on Sunday,  December 5. Held at the spacious Wilshire Ebell Social Club and Theater, guests showed proof of vaccination or negative COVID tests, were able to eat outside or inside, and wore masks inside the theater.  The 2020 gala was held virtually to international audiences of tens of thousands.  The 2021 event was also live-streamed, reaching thousands more during and after the show.  [StandWithUs]

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Middle East, USA

Israel hosts regional allies Greece and Cyprus for Jerusalem summit

Published by DPA Israel welcomed Greek and Cypriot leaders to Tel Aviv on Tuesday for a trilateral summit with its regional allies. “We’re strengthening our relationships with our friends, on all levels,” said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, appearing at a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

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International

Steven Spielberg made West Side Story for his late father

Published by BANG Showbiz English Steven Spielberg has “dedicated” ‘West Side Story’ to his late father. The 74-year-old legendary director has honoured his dad Arnold Spielberg – who died last year and was incredibly supportive of his son’s career – with his remake of the 1961 Jerome Robbins classic, as his dad was a huge

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Jewish Celebrities