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
Amid increasing concerns about the role of social media in spreading bigotry, disinformation, and conspiracy theories, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) on Monday, March 29, announced new legislation that “will bring much-needed transparency and accountability to the role of social media platforms in amplifying extreme and dangerous content and driving severe political polarization.” [Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel press release]
Legislator seeks to control social media’s impact on hate Read More »
USA
I’m so proud of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Cabinet Secretaries Alejandro Mayorkas and Xavier Becerra, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, our city’s Mayor Todd Gloria, the folks at Jewish Family Service, and San Diego Jewish World’s own contributor Mimi Pollack. [Donald H. Harrison]
Proud of the U.S. and local response to migrant children Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, USA
Those firmly supporting Benjamin Netanyhu are Likud, SHAS, United Torah Judaism, and Religious Zionists, for a total of 52 Seats Those clearly in the anti-Bibi list are Lapid, Blue White, Israel Beiteinu, Labor, New Hope, Joint Arab List, and Meretz, for a total of 57 Seats Between them are Yamina and the Separate Arab List, so far undecided, with 11 Seats [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Israeli Election Analysis at the Seder Table Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East
To promote mental health awareness, the Behavioral Health Committee of Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) is hosting a virtual event on Thursday, April 29 keynoted by fashion icon, author and mental health advocate Tim Gunn. [Jewish Family Service news release]
Tim Gunn, Project Runway Co-Host, to Speak at JFS Health Event Read More »
San Diego County, USA
Tuvia Tenenbom is an expat Israeli who has lived in Germany and elsewhere for many decades, working as a journalist and author. Holding many academic degrees, Tenenbom is also a playwright, essayist, and the founding artistic director of the Jewish Theater of New York. Tenenbom has a very idiosyncratic style. His sardonic personality goes well with his cherubic appearance, and the reader is soon caught up in Tenenbom’s droll reporting of mundane encounters with people all around the world. His latest book, The Taming of the Jew, features people from Ireland and Britain. The thing is, most of those interviewed either know almost nothing about what they are saying, or are consciously spreading vicious, false narratives [Steve Kramer]
Book Review: ‘The Taming of the Jew’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Middle East, Steve KramerThanks to Stan and Janet Tiger for sending along the Passover sea shanties above, and to Richard Kahn who alerted us to this Passover salute by the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. My wife and co-publisher Nancy Harrison joins me in wishing all our readers a joyous Passover! [Donald H. Harrison]
Some Happy Passover Music for You Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) has officially joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) after being unanimously inducted by her CPC peers last week. [Sara Jacobs press release]
Rep. Sara Jacobs joins Progressive Caucus Read More »
San Diego County, USA
Jewish Programming via Internet of interest to lay and academic audiences [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Streaming Jewish Programs (March 28-April 6, 2021) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Jill and I send our best wishes to everyone celebrating Passover in the United States, the State of Israel, and around the world. At its heart, the Passover story is one of overcoming adversity and finding hope, of summoning the resilience and resolve to emerge from a long dark night to a brighter morning. [President Joe Biden]
President Joe Biden’s Passover Message Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAAccording to the Brennan Center for Justice, 33 states have introduced 165 bills purportedly to guarantee election integrity, but really to suppress the votes of core Democratic constituencies like ethnic immigrants and people of color. To fend off charges of racism, these states are now trying to disguise the real intent of such legislation. Here are some examples: [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Racing Towards Election Integrity Read More »
Travel and Food
It’s another one of those weeks! You know, the ones where the Rabbi has any number of possible themes that he can address. Another way of expressing the situation is by calling it, “A target rich environment.” So many subjects, so little time.[Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: The Great Shabbat Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi