Suspect in Manhattan attack on Asian woman charged with assault as a hate crime

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

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Travel and Food

Being Seen on Trans Day of Visibility

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]

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Eric George Tauber, Jewish Religion, USA

Addressing hate and division in our society

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]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Nearly 2/3rds of U.S. Jews have felt antisemitism

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]

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USA

Good News from Israel (March 30, 2021)

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]

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Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

SDSU, ADL, Hillel to Partner Against Antisemitism

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

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San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Why do we count the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot?

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]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Seder Plate

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]

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Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Legislator seeks to control social media’s impact on hate

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]

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USA

Proud of the U.S. and local response to migrant children

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]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, USA