Amanda Gorman says her speech impediment is anything but. The Los Angeles-born poet, who became an overnight sensation after reading her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Biden’s inauguration in January, spoke about her journey with Oprah Winfrey for an upcoming episode of “The Oprah Conversation.” “I was born early, along with my twin. […]
By Kelsey Kloza I’ve never been particularly good at being Asian. I was adopted from South Korea as an infant and have no memory of the place, its people or my biological parents. I was raised by a Caucasian family in a majority-Caucasian New Jersey town — I know more about ravioli than dumplings, and
I need to be a better Asian American, on my own terms | Opinion Read More »
Travel and Food
By Peter Szekely and Gabriella Borter NEW YORK (Reuters) -A New York man previously convicted of murdering his mother has been arrested and charged with assaulting a 65-year-old Asian woman in a hate crime, an attack captured on a video that went viral amid a rise in anti-Asian incidents in the United States. Police identified
Suspect in Manhattan attack on Asian woman charged with assault as a hate crime Read More »
Travel and Food
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa lost control. That happened In November 2017 during his senior year at Arvada West High School. On March 22, he would once again lose control, this time in a Boulder supermarket. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Colorado Shooting Suspect Has History of Mental Instability Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USA
They only number about 0.7% of the general population of the United States, and yet they are everywhere. Maybe you’ve noticed them. Something about that woman on the bus seemed a little off. Maybe that young man’s voice in the market seemed curiously high. Or maybe they sat right next to you in shul, or across the dinner table, suffering in silence, and you had no idea. [Eric George Tauber]
Being Seen on Trans Day of Visibility Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Jewish Religion, USA
Elsewhere in today’s report on San Diego Jewish World is a story from the Anti-Defamation League reporting that nearly two-thirds of American Jews, based on a survey, have experienced or heard some form of antisemitism in the last five years. On our television screens, meanwhile, is the ongoing trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd – a case study in White violence against Black people. And, in the San Diego Union-Tribune this morning was a story from New York City about an unprovoked attack on an Asian-American woman which other people witnessed without intervening. [Donald H. Harrison]
Addressing hate and division in our society Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Well over half of Jewish Americans have either experienced or directly witnessed some form of antisemitic incident in the last five years, according to a new poll released by ADL (Anti-Defamation League). The 2021 poll found that 63 percent of respondents have either experienced or heard antisemitic comments, slurs or threats targeting others, an increase from 54 percent a year earlier. [ADL press release]
Nearly 2/3rds of U.S. Jews have felt antisemitism Read More »
USA
By Alex Joffe, Ph.D NEW YORK — BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) activities in March reflected both its use as an individual instrument and as a political wedge issue. Cornell West’s allegation that he was denied tenure at Harvard over his support for BDS appears to be an individual effort to profit from BDS support.
The fights for and against BDS Read More »
International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
In the March 30, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israelis were able to celebrate Passover again with their families and friends.
–On World Water Day a JNF video shows desert city Beersheva is now a water city.
–Three Israeli nanosatellites have been launched into a synchronized orbit.
–Israel is developing the world’s smartest microprocessors.
–Two more Israeli companies have become worth more than $1 billion.
–Israel’s Linoy Ashram won two world medals in rhythmic gymnastics.
–Israel broke two matzah world records without breaking a single matzah. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 30, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
SAN DIEGO (SDJW)–After swastikas and White Supremacist slogans were drawn on a San Diego State University dormitory earlier this month, the university announced that it would develop programs to inform and educate people about antisemitism and to combat it. On Monday, March 30, SDSU announced a partnership with the Anti-Defamation League and Hillel toward that
SDSU, ADL, Hillel to Partner Against Antisemitism Read More »
San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationOur thanks to Ben Dishman for passing this one on.
COVID-19 Fiddler on the Roof Style Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
A California Court of Appeal on Tuesday rejected without comment what is likely the last attempt to stop construction of a Jewish student center across from the UC San Diego Campus in La Jolla. [Chris Jennewein]
Appeals Court backs Hillel at UC San Diego Read More »
Chris Jennewein, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
The ancient religious Jewish group Pharisees, who existed from about 320 BCE until 70 CE, and the rabbis who followed them changed all of the Jewish practices and holidays in some ways. Let’s look at the laws of counting the omer, called in Hebrew Sefirat Ha’Omer, and the holiday of Shavuot. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Why do we count the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
A tradition started 40 years ago that has gained widespread acceptance in many non-Orthodox households is the placement of an orange on the seder plate. Though many see this as a symbol of women’s important role in Judaism, it was in fact started by Jewish feminist scholar Susannah Heschel in support of gays and lesbians. More recently, others have suggested new additions to the seder plate, though none has as yet gained widespread acceptance. Which of the following are among those new seder plate suggestions? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Seder Plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire