An echo from the past

As I read the message the memory of the composer, Verdina Shlonsky, and her articles about French composers she had known in Paris, came flooding back. I recalled her as a kind, elderly lady who lived in a small apartment on the top floor of an old Tel Aviv building with virtually no furniture other than a piano and a couch. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

Federation’s Heidi Gantwerk traveled to D.C. to lobby for more money for security of religious institutions

We have long believed that security cannot be an afterthought for any community of faith — and today is a devastating reminder that this reality extends to every house of worship in our city and across the country. That is why we are in Washington fighting for resources that protect communities like the one attacked today. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

5 die in aftermath of gunfire at Islamic Center of San Diego

Five people are dead, including suspected teenage shooters Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez in the wake of an attack on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Two of the other three victims were not immediately identified, but one was security guard Amin Abdullah whom law enforcement officials said may have prevented a much larger death toll. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Devorah Marcus, 13 others, honored at California Capitol

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contributions Jewish Americans have made to our state and nation, while also reflecting on the values that have sustained our community across generations – our commitment to justice, learning, service, and repairing the world,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. [Press Release]

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California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Seussical the Musical is ‘pleasure-ical’ but arts funding is not

The fun and spectacle of the show were tempered a bit by proprietors Erin and Gary Lewis’ announcement that due to their funding being cancelled by the City of San Diego as part of the sweeping cuts to the arts and culture budget, they need to raise $100,000 or the next show, Rock of Ages won’t be staged. [Sandi Masori]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

UCSD panel on antisemitism provided valuable information

The extra security at the event made it clear why many academics and administrators might refuse such an elephantine gift: the dangers of conflict and protest on our campuses could far outweigh the benefit of an academic panel discussion. [Eran A. Mukamel]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish biography: Lina Stern, Soviet trailblazer in biochemistry

The main scientific achievement of Lina Stern was the discovery and detailed study of the blood-brain barrier, the hemato-encephalic barrier—a protective mechanism that regulates the exchange of substances between the blood and the brain. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The importance of Jewish camping

Long before phrases like “immersive engagement” and “experiential Judaism” became common communal language, Jewish camp was already doing that work. Camp created environments where Judaism was not confined to a classroom or a single hour each week. Judaism became woven into the rhythm of daily life through songs, Shabbat under the stars, Hebrew cheers, Israeli dancing, storytelling, friendship, color wars, mentorship, and shared memories that would last a lifetime. [Betzy Lynch]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

New York Times and antisemitism: the Jewish enemy within

Coverage of Israel often portrayed it as a destabilizing force rather than a necessary refuge for a shattered people. By the 1970s and 1980s, legitimate policy critique sometimes slid into rhetoric about excessive Jewish power and dual loyalty. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, News Media, Shanda File, USA

Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …)

When I told my friend, who owns a smart lock, about the product, his ears perked up immediately. He mentioned that this was his biggest issue with his smart lock in India, and if a retrofit existed, he would jump at the chance to get one. [Shor M. Masori]

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Business & Finance, International, Israel, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA