The Government of the Dominican Republic has announced that consideration is being given to relocating its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem.Roberto AlvarezThe country’s Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, made this disclosure during a recent phone conversation with his counterpart in Israel, Gabi Ashkenazi .“I congratulate the FM of the Dominican Republic, @RobalsdqAlvarez on […]
The Florida principal who made controversial remarks about the Holocaust has been fired for a second time.The Palm Beach County School Board voted unanimously to rescind an Oct. 7 vote to rehire William Latson, former principal at Spanish River High in Boca Raton.The earlier 4-3 vote was based on the ruling of an administrative law judge that Latson was improperly fired in 2019, but Chairman Frank Barbieri called for a new vote, saying School Board members may not have realized the judge’s decision was a recommendation. [South Florida Sun Sentinel]
Florida principal fired for second time over Holocaust remarks Read More »
International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
As a young professional transplant and traveler who has lived in various cities, I am constantly on the lookout for new connections and friends. Passionate about all flavors of my Judaism, I often seek out Jewish groups of various denominations. In that exploration, I have come across a sad realization, which is this—in more Orthodox settings, not everyone is treated the same. I’ve lost count of how many people have asked me when visiting a new synagogue the very awkward question of “are you Jewish?” or worse “is your mother Jewish?” While I am fortunate to have been raised in a Conservative home and pass the proverbial test, I do sympathize with those who do not. If someone has decided to hold fast to HaShem, what should it matter who their parents were? [Teresa Konopka]
Acceptance for Jews by choice Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, USA
This year’s Tapestry, sponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s JLearn, promises to be more diverse, exciting and interesting than ever before. Experts have been tapped from all over the world to contribute to this extraordinary Jewish Learning event.
The first session, the keynote address on Saturday evening, November 7, at 7:30 p.m., will feature David Meltzer, named one of Forbes’ 10 best Motivational Speakers. Meltzer will discuss how to “Stabilize Your Mindset and Stay Grounded. Focus on Your Core Values Through a Jewish Lens. “ [Eileen Wingard]
Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
We do not know the names of every member of our Jewish community who is running for a public office in San Diego County. While we are aware of those running for major offices at the federal, state, county, and San Diego city, community college and school board levels, we are unfamiliar with those who might be running in outlying cities or for the other school boards and special districts throughout our region.
So, what follows is not a comprehensive list, nor is it an indication of San Diego Jewish World’s endorsements. [Donald H. Harrison]
Minyan of Jewish candidates on S.D. County ballots Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
As a little Jewish boy in the streets of Baghdad
I was looked upon by Arab boys my age as inferior.
I became accustomed to it as if it were a natural phenomenon
which I could do little to change. … [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]
I Want My American Dream Back Read More »
Travel and Food
Speaking in 2013, Joe Biden said of the Jewish people, “You make up 11 percent of the seats in the United States Congress. You make up one-third of all Nobel laureates. So many notions that are embraced by this nation that particularly emanate from over 5,000 years of Jewish history, tradition and culture: independence, individualism, fairness, decency, justice, charity.” He concluded by saying what? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Joe Biden, Jr. Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
PETACH TIKVAH, Israel — Patrick Vallance, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of the United Kingdom, recently told the National Security Strategy Committee in London that “it’s unlikely we will end up with a truly sterilizing vaccine, something that completely stops infection.”As daunting as this estimate is, chances are that Vallance is underestimating the impact of the virus. The more likely scenario is that the virus will spread from humans to the animal kingdom, to plants, and from there back to people. It will be impossible to defeat it using regular methods. Our only option is to revolutionize our way of life. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Love each other as if your life depends upon it Read More »
International, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share
The third year at camp, since I was the oldest and most experienced scout, by default became the leader of our troop. In a secret ballot we voted to elect anyone we thought worthy to become a member of the Order of the Arrow. This is a coveted honor service society that recently had its 100-year anniversary. Its lore is based on an enchanting heroic Indian story. [Ira Spector]
An induction into the Order of the Arrow Read More »
Lifestyles, USA
Sarah Golembsky and her family hoped to celebrate her Bat Mitzvah with a trip to Israel, but like many other B’nai Mitzvah, the pandemic made it impossible for her celebration to go as planned. She had to get creative. Sara and her family didn’t want to miss out on the Israel experience, so they did the next best thing: a live tour to Jerusalem and the Kotel through StandWithUs Discover. Virtual tours of Israel are one of the many educational opportunities offered to B’nai Mitzvah as part of a new StandWithUs B’nai Mitzvah Project initiative. [StandWithUs]
For Bat Mitzvah, she traveled to Israel virtually Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
Why would Muslims continue to vote Republican? It’s a question that has puzzled pollsters for years.For the majority of Muslim-American voters, the Republican Party – which led the war in Iraq, instituted the Muslim travel ban, and relocated the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem – does not represent them.However, a growing and significant minority
Why some American Muslims are choosing to vote Republican in the 2020 US election Read More »
Middle East, USA
The vision of Israel’s innovators brings tomorrow’s dreams much closer to today’s world. This week’s newsletter includes visual innovations such as an eye-tracking app to reduce stress; facial analysis to warn of a stroke, plus new bio-markers and telemedicine to highlight diseases optically. Israeli technology enhances websites to benefit the visually impaired, removes toxic algae infesting clear blue lakes and helps our US allies to see in the dark. Far-sighted Israelis are kickstarting sport for children, and boosting training for adults in athletics as well as in the hi-tech arena. Many of Israel’s other achievements can only be described as “out of sight”! [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (Nov. 1, 2020) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA
November 1, 2020: The beginning of the Holiday shopping season. … November 3, 2020: Election Day. Forget about Halloween; this will be the scariest night of the year when Trump declares victory and confiscates all uncounted ballots 1 hour after the polls close on the West Coast. He holds big victory party in the White House. [Laurie Baron, PhD}
Satire: Nightmare November 2020 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Every year around Halloween, many Americans watch various monster movies about creatures who are often “undead.” Let’s be honest; nothing is appealing about zombies. They lack the sexiness of vampires; they lack the glamor and good manners. At least vampires know how to blend in society. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Some underlying reasons for zombies’ popularity Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Theatre, Film & Broadcast