Proposed Tlaib speech in Poway protested

The Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund successfully sued to prohibit the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) from teaching about Islam in the San Diego Unified School District as part of an anti-bullying program.  Now the organization is  protesting a proposed CAIR-sponsored speech in the Poway Unified School District by U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, a Palestinian-American who is considered one of Israel’s most vocal critics in the Congress. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Nuanced reactions to Trump’s EO on anti-Semitism

In the midst of partisan debate over President Donald Trump’s possible impeachment, and a day after a kosher market in Jersey City was the scene of a mass shooting, there is a lot of rhetoric going around about Trump’s decision to sign an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA’s) working definition of anti-Semitism and to apply it to Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Why we should honor Jacob’s example

Thank you, Jacob. For what, you may well ask. For teaching us the value of never missing an opportunity in life to do good, to say a kind word, to recognize that the present is all we have. Jacob, in a simple act, showed us to avoid the “someday” mindset, and instead shows us how important it is to never overlook the now, especially when it comes to offering a kind word, or a gift of kindness to another. [Michael Mantell, PhD]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

On bribes, rape, and wrestling with angels

This parasha tells the story of Jacob’s entourage returning back to Canaan from Haran; Jacob’s fear for, and the subsequent encounter with Esau; the rape of Dinah and its violent sequelae; the death of Rachel in childbirth; and finally the genealogy of Esau’s progeny. Three passages caught my attention, to explore for analogous comparison with other ancient nations. [Irv Jacobs, MD]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

On the approaching night of shared candles

A benevolent calendar coincidence, occurring every few years, will bring us on Dec. 24 to the shared lighting of solstice calendars by both Christians and Jews. The solar and lunar calendar cycles have intertwined, and so this Christmas Eve will coincide with the third night of Hanukkah, 5780. The circumstances should work to everyone’s advantage on Earth and must be pleasing to the heavens. [Rabbi Ben Kamin]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

San Diego State honors Judge Victor Bianchini

Judge Victor Bianchini, an active member of the Jewish community, has been saluted in the video at the top of the page by his alma mater San Diego State University for his career as a Marine Corps, lawyer, California Superior Court Judge, part-time U.S. Magistrate, private mediator, and now a world-class fencing champion in the over 70-years-old division.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Stubborness of Lieberman, Netanyahu mires Israel

Avigdor Lieberman has been in politics for several decades. Earlier, he was close to Bibi, but later protested his less aggressive postures toward Palestinians. He came from a Zionist background in Kishinev, and in Israel has led the Yisrael Beitenu (Israel our Home) party. It began mostly with the support of Russian immigrants, but has since expanded its appeal–both due to the aging of the Russian population and Lieberman’s most recent posture as a strong opponent of the ultra-Orthodox and Benyamin Netanyahu. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Jews and chocolate: 500 years of sweetness

Sephardic Jews who were expelled in the late 15th century  from Portugal and Spain learned about cocoa and the production of chocolate from the indigenous peoples of Central and South America and the Caribbean. Keeping up contacts with non-Jewish acquaintances who had remained on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, they helped to popularize chocolate and develop it as a product in international trade. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

U.S. Holocaust Museum publishes attack on JNF

The official journal of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has published an article depicting the Jewish National Fund as a colonialist exploiter of the Palestinian Arabs. Is this an appropriate way for a federally-funded museum that is mandated to teach about the Nazi genocide against the Jewish people to be using taxpayers’ dollars? [Moshe Phillips]

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Middle East, USA

As Iranians riot, Iran stirs trouble elsewhere

There are protests and riots across Iran, brutally put down by Iranian security forces and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC); the government is charging families for the bullets used to kill their loved ones before releasing bodies to them. Inflation is rampant and economic growth is negative. Sanctions on Iranian oil shipments have led Iran to steal Iraqi oil, one cause of the anti-Iranian riots across Iraq. Yet, Iran continues to arm its proxies and allies with missiles that can strike Saudi Arabia, the Gulf States, Jordan and Israel. Ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones, controlled by Iran’s Quds Force, are being spread across the region. [Shoshana Bryen and Stephen D. Bryen]

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International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. Bryen, USA