SDJW endorses Will Moore, Stephen Whitburn S.D. for City Council

Given that the contenders are Democrats, and from a policy point of view seem to be in general agreement on such issues facing the city as homelessness, affordable housing,  infrastructure development and responding to the Covid19 pandemic, how does one choose between them? I believe the answer lies in how well the candidates articulate their ideas.  Do they simply repeat the platitudes that so often passes for political thought, or do they bring new concepts and methodologies to the table? [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County

Jewish Trivia Quiz: New Zealand

New Zealand’s prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, was reelected in a landslide victory last week. New Zealand voted in favor of the 1947 United Nations partition plan for Palestine and officially recognized Israel in 1950. The countries have numerous trade agreements covering products including fertilizers, milk and cream, circuit boards, medications, and more, and a visitor visa waiver program makes it easy for citizens of each to visit the other country. New Zealand and Israel also increased cooperation in one area which had to do with “Atomic Falafel.” What was that? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Death March to Volary

In January of 1945, Europe was just months away from Nazi surrender and the end of the Holocaust. But the prisoners had no way of knowing that. Thirteen hundred Jewish female prisoners were sent on a death march from the Shlesiersee camp to Volary, 800 km away in Czechoslovakia through knee-high snow, gnawing hunger, beatings, humiliation and murder. “We don’t have a destination,” one was told. “Our goal is that you will all die along the way.” [Eric George Tauber]

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Travel and Food

Responding to virus fatigue

Without a medical cure in sight, the only cure we have is each other. This is also the one cure we haven’t tried. It’s not that we should disobey orders to keep 6 feet apart. On the contrary, we should be very strict with our observance of health regulations, but we should also remember that this will not kill the virus. If we stay apart, infections will decrease; if we resume our connections, infections will increase. This is what’s happening now and people won’t be able to sustain this in-and-out mode much longer. In fact, they already can’t. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

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Lifestyles

The man with computerized feelings

Danny and his attractive blonde wife, Louise, were ending their two-year marriage. The trim 34-year-old nurse had enough of his locked up feelings She couldn’t get him to show any feelings indicating he felt anything. It was like splashing her emotional bucket of water against a brick wall. The handsome 35-year-old computer engineer responded to her pleas to share his feelings with her, as if he were a part of his beloved machines. He created a spreadsheet in rows and columns of analytical minutia, where other people would exclaim, “I feel.” [Ira Spector]

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Lifestyles, San Diego County

Good News from Israel (October 18, 2020)

Jews globally restarted reading the Torah this week from Genesis and Israelis are certainly continuing the creative task. New Covid-19 treatments, life-saving surgical procedures and medical apps. Israel is a pioneer, stopping the fur trade and international bribery and launched Bedouin Arab startups. Innovations include a new agricultural R&D center, a hybrid drone, airport security, landmine and disaster detection, electric roads, a recycled electric car and new ways to enjoy culture, nature and entertainment online. [Michael Ordman]

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Michael Ordman, Middle East

Kids Team as Hanukkah Detectives in this Internet Production

Hanukkah is coming! Here is a wonderful entertainment opportunity for kids ages 6-12 that incorporates the Hanukkah story into a fun mystery they can solve at home. Becky Cherlin Baird is the founding Artistic Director for the J’Company Youth Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC. She is the proud owner of Kids on Stage Productions and has worked in a variety of Broadway productions, including Fiddler on the Roof. [Marcia Berneger]

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Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

SDJW recommends ‘Yes’ votes on Prop. 25, Measure B

On our state and San Diego city ballots, we have opportunities to make our criminal justice system more fair and responsive.  State Prop. 25 would eliminate the money bail system for defendants prior to their trials, replacing it with a system based on risk assessment.  Measure B on the City of San Diego ballot would create an independent Commission on Police Practices. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Two Jewish tales to read to your youngsters

With illustrations accurately depicting life as it was in the 1880s, this is the tale of Nate, a king-size, gentle spirit who loves helping people.  His magic can stretch a small lump of chocolate big enough for an entire family or a small jar of oil long enough to last eight days. He takes a special liking to the Glaser family as they journey from Europe in the late 1870s and follows them as they work side by side with their neighbors, the O’Malleys in their new American life. [Marcia Bernegere]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Our school board, community college endorsements

In the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, we need continuity and stability on the governing boards of the San Diego Community College District and the San Diego Unified School Board.

Accordingly, we recommend the reelection of Community College Trustees Bernie Rhinerson and Mary Graham, respectively for Districts B and D.   Similarly, we urge the reelection of Richard Barrera in District D of the School Board and Sharon Whitehurst-Payne in District E.  We have no quarrel with either of their challengers, Camille Harris in District D nor Dr. Lawana Richmond in District E, but neither have we seen any compelling reason to replace these incumbents. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

SAJAC hosts forum on Jewish genetic risks

The two-hour program kicked off with a review of Ashkenazi history by UCSD clinical Urology Professor Dr. Franklin Gaylis. He explained how the shtetl-confined Ashkenazi communities of Eastern Europe, complicated by consanguineous marriages, concentrated the incidence of BRCA 1 and 2 mutant genes in their population, to a rate of 1 in 40 persons. Eighty percent of modern Jews have Ashkenazi ancestry.These genes cause a predilection for breast and ovarian cancer. [Irv Jacobs, M.D]

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International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Are sports, entertainment waning in wake of Covid19?

American entertainment and sports have shaped US society and influenced and appealed to the interest of a global audience for decades. This, however, seems to be changing. Media analysis shows that ratings of the once most popular programs are hitting historic lows as a result of the coronavirus crisis. I would not pay it particular attention were it not for pop culture’s predominance in people’s lives. Undoubtedly, it indicates a turning point, a shift, a new quest for more meaningful fulfillment that can only be achieved through human connection. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

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Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

An unforgettable tour and cyclone in Borneo

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Don’t even try to enter with an Israeli passport!  A good percentage of the women wear a single colored scarf around their heads and necks for modesty. I don’t understand how they tolerate it in the Equatorial heat, but I became quite fond of the habit as a fashion statement. I liked how it framed the face, particularly the pretty ladies. The few wahines I saw draped floor to ceiling in black burkas I found mysterious, like covered statues at an unveiling. I figured they had to be ten degrees hotter than we infidels, unless they had battery-operated fans hidden inside the garb. [Ira Spector]

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International, Travel and Food