Humoring the Headlines: The 500th Column

When I retired from teaching at San Diego State University in 2012, Don Harrison asked me to write a weekly column. I agreed to occasionally review Jewish- themed films in a column titled “The Wandering Review.” A year later I offered to write a weekly political satire column called “Humoring the Headlines.” Familiar with “The Wandering Review,” Don thought I said that I was willing to write a column weakly. Nevertheless Don approved and all three of the fans of “The Wandering Review” were disappointed that it would appear less frequently. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire

A Word of Torah: ‘Optional’ warfare

There were different types of war that the Jewish people would engage in. Those wars that entitled conquering the Holy Land were called, “Milchamot Mitzvah,” “Mitzvah” wars, as it was a positive commandment to conquer the land and expel the Canaanites, who were exceedingly evil people. Lest we accuse the Israelites of being colonialists it is appropriate to remember that the Canaanites had driven off the offspring of Noah’s son Shem, from whom the Jewish people trace our roots. In other words, the Jews were simply repatriating the land that belonged to them and which the Almighty had given in a bequest to Abraham our father. Astonishingly we learn about a different type of war – a war that was optional. The Torah explains that under certain circumstances the Jewish people would be allowed to expand the borders of Israel and fight wars with her neighbors in order to conquer additional lands [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

San Diego Democrats to vote on anti-Semitism

Editor’s Note: The San Diego County Democratic Central Committee will vote on Tuesday, Sept. 1, on a resolution dealing with anti-Semitism.  A previous meeting on the subject indicates that there is considerable opposition to the resolution among some of the committee’s membership. By Matthew Finkelstein SAN DIEGO — I knew some in the San Diego

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Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

Arson, vandalism, RJC video ramp up tensions in Jewish community

Jewish community tensions are being ramped up with news of an arson fire at the Chabad House at the University of Delaware, vandalism at a Reform synagogue in Kenosha, and a video from the Republican Jewish Coalition purporting that Democrats are turning their back on Jews and Israel and are coddling anti-Semites. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

‘Progressive’ Democrats engage in regressive anti-Semitism

Depending on one’s viewpoint, it could all make sense. Supposedly, Jews oppress Palestinians in Israel’s territories, so they must be part of white supremacy in America. Supposedly, all Jews are wealthy, so they must be oppressing people of color. For sure, anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism. And now, supposedly,  we Jews want a race war. These are conclusions we can draw from the latest barrage in the ongoing war on Jews in America. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA

Plant trees, reduce poverty, slow climate change

Countries like Morocco, which are highly susceptible to long periods of drought, are welcoming reforestation efforts to improve agriculture. In partnership with civil society, the Moroccan government will plant 800,000 trees across the country by 2024. Like Morocco, many are turning to agroforestry, or tree-farming, as an eco-friendly solution to climate issues. Globally, at least 650 million hectares of land (13.3% of total farming land) are used for agroforestry systems. [Jacqueline Skalski-Fouts]

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International, Middle East, The World We Share

Karen Parry new Hillel of San Diego executive director

Karen Parry, a Jewish community professional who grew up and held her earliest positions in San Diego County, will return to her native city from Seattle to become the executive director of Hillel of San Diego. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Museum pretends to be an airport terminal

The Museum of the Jewish People has temporarily transformed itself into an “airport terminal” so children and families can “travel” the world both in-person and virtually despite ongoing air travel limited due to COVID-19 safety concerns. There’s even a “Museum Airlines” to help visitors’ imaginations take flight.   [Press Release0

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and Food, USA

Trump campaign’s use of White House, Secretary of State, violated the law

In case you didn’t tune in, Tuesday night the Republican National Convention continued, and the Trump campaign broke the law on national television. That’s right, and not just once, but multiple times. By holding a politicized event at the White House, using a U.S. citizen naturalization ceremony with military personnel present as a prop, and having official cabinet members like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speak, Trump and the Republican Party blatantly abused the power of the presidency. And clearly, they don’t care. [Congressman Adam Schiff]

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USA