License plate maven Melanie Rubin has done it again. Here is an abbreviation for the Hebrew phrase “Ahavat olam” — love of the world. And, doesn’t the world need love, especially now?
Jewish-interest license plate: Ahvt Olm Read More »
Melanie Rubin, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The Jewish Historical Society of San Diego, which maintains archives of our community’s history at San Diego State University, has acquired several more collections that will help researchers understand how our local Jewish community developed. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Historical Society obtains new collections Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Moroccan youth today, whether urban or rural based, face enormous obstacles in achieving their self-development and in creating the improvements they seek for their families, communities, country, and even for the world. [Yossef Ben-Meir, PhD}
Moroccan youth must work together to effect change Read More »
International, Yossef Ben-Meir
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has a serious challenger, not from the Opposition but from his own Likud party. Gideon Sa’ar, a man in his early fifties, with a very credible history in Likud, as a Member of Knesset for many years and as a minister of education and interior, aspires to be the new star on Israel’s political firmament. He’s a candidate for party leader at the Likud primaries to be held later this month and daring to challenge “King Bibi.” [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Sa’ar mounts serious challenge to Netanyahu Read More »
Middle East
Another election. This one on Monday, March 2. Why? It depends on who is analyzing. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]
Fingers point as Israel fails to form a government Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
The Orthodox Union, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization, on Monday welcomed an agreement by Congressional leaders to increase to $90 million the funding for the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) that will help keep America’s synagogues, other houses of worship, parochial day schools, and nonprofits such as hospitals, libraries and museums safe against terror attacks. The new funding level, which comes as part of Congress’s Appropriations package, represents a 50 percent increase compared to last year’s $60 million funding. [Orthodox Union news release]
On Sunday, Hillcrest Indivisible hosted an “Impeach Trump” rally at Waterfront Park on Harbor Drive. Honestly, the turnout was less than huge. Jodie, one of the organizers from Hillcrest Indivisible, said that more than two thousand people had responded, but it looked like only a few hundred showed up. But a Trump-Baby Blimp –one of eight in the world- was there and quite a hit. [Eric George Tauber]
Getting politically active on a Sunday afternoon Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, USA
Tom and Debbie Farley have behind their home in neighboring Poway a 78-foot high pole that during the Christmas season becomes the trunk of a Christmas display of lights. This year, the lights are blue, teal, and white – the colors of Chanukah in tribute to Poway of Chabad, which last Passover suffered a gunman’s murderous attack that took the life of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, and wounded Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, Noya Dahan, 8, and her uncle Almog Peretz. [Donald H. Harrison]
Holiday display honors Chabad shooting victims Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USAOur area may wish to consider an idea raised by Oakland Mayor Rebecca Kaplan that cruise ships may provide appropriate lodging for our homeless population. Older cruise ships are being sold all the time, and with some ingenuity, they can be outfitted to serve not only as dormitories and mess halls but also as places where necessary social services and medical treatment can be easily provided. [Donald H. Harrison]
On homelessness, impeachment, immigration Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
The last few years have brought mounting anxiety for British Jewry. It has been an absolutely shocking time. Boris Johnson’s victory over the extreme left-wing Labour party has been almost like the escape from Haman. [Lloyd Levy]
Escape from horror for British Jews Read More »
International, Lloyd Levy
Many people are mistakenly convinced that the Jewish holiday of Chanukah celebrates the victory of the Jewish religion over Hellenism and that the enemy was Greece. Neither supposed fact is true. The Jews in Judea, Egypt and other countries of the diaspora had a longstanding favorable relationship with the Greeks and Hellenism well before and long after the incidents that prompted the rebellion of Judah Maccabee, his father and brothers in 168 BCE. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Chanukah story does not criticize Greeks Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
The slain San Francisco County Supervisor Harvey Milk (1930-1978) is celebrated as the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Besides being gay, he also was Jewish. Both communities can take pride in the United States Navy deciding to name after him a new fleet oiler that is being built at General Dynamics NASSCO here in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]
Work begins on USNS Harvey Milk Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Ken Stone, San Diego County
I was eating breakfast when she ran up to me excitedly saying, “I’m here.” I had no idea who she was. My bewildered expression must have shown. She exclaimed, “It’s me.” Well, that didn’t help, so I fished for clues. “How have you been?” I asked trying to figure out who she is, all to no avail. She finally left, telling me that she would see me later. As I sat in front of my unfinished bowl of oatmeal, I wondered: Who was that? [Natasha Josefowitz, Phd]
The misadventures of old age Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
The works of past and present Jewish photographers are on display at the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park. There are seven works by Bern Schwartz in Talking With a Friend: Portraits by Bern Schwartz and a single work by Jacob Manowitz, a student at Meadowbrook Middle School. [Donald H. Harrison]
MOPA displays works of Jewish photographers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County