Items in today’s column include:
*Scripps Institution of Oceanography grad now in space
*Jewish Community Fundraisers
*Demanding the ‘perfect’ may impede progress
*Political Dots and Dashes
*Sports
*World War II collector auctioning Hitler memorabilia
* Mazel tov! Mazel tov!
By Donald H. Harrison
Scripps Institution of Oceanography grad now in space
SAN DIEGO — NASA Astronaut Jessica Meir, who was raised Jewish by her Israeli father and Swedish mother, and who obtained her doctorate at UCSD’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, has arrived at the International Space Station in the company of astronauts Hazza Ali Almansoiri of the United Arab Emirates and Oleg Skripochka of Russia. Dr. Meir will spend approximately six months performing research.
In a pre-flight interview, she told the San Diego Union-Tribune, “My background is looking at the physiology of animals in extreme environments. Now, I will be the animal in the extreme environment. One of the big areas of research on the space station is understanding how spaceflight in a micro-gravity environment affects the human body. There are some rel interesting studies right now that I will be part of.”
While earning her doctorate Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Meir’s spent time at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica to study the diving abilities of the emperor penguins. She would dive in SCUBA gear with them under ice. Meir speaks English, Swedish, and Russian, and has a pilot’s license. She also is an accomplished musician, having learned to play various wind instruments as a youth.
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Jewish Community Fundraisers
Camp Mountain Chai has booked mentalist-magician Kevin Viner to perform at its 5th annual gala on Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Hilton San Diego Resort on Mission Bay. RSVPs and more information via this website.
Demanding the ‘perfect’ may impede progress
Charlene Seidle, executive vice president of the Leichtag Foundation, in an essay for Impact Cubed, an organization of philanthropists who pool their resources, suggested that instead of looking for perfect answers, fellow philanthropists should embrace incremental approaches.”In other words, to really make a meaningful difference, we must fall in love with the problem rather than with any one ideal solution,” she wrote. “Yet, at the same time, we must maintain a laser-like focus on our ultimate goal and not become distracted by any particular tactic. Solutions need not be new to be effective; ideas are many. Rather than seeking the perfect new approach, perhaps we should pursue existing, yet “good enough” tactics and devote our energy to testing, refining, customizing and matching these strategies with real need.”
Political Dots and Dashes
LGBTQ Victory Fund, a national organization focusing on electing LGBTQ leaders to public office, has endorsed California Assemblyman Todd Gloria for mayor of San Diego. Gloria is opposed by San Diego City Councilwoman Barbara Bry. … Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas has endorsed San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez for the 53rd C.D. seat from which Congresswoman Susan Davis is retiring. Sara Jacobs, a scholar in residence at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego is another aspirant for the job .. Former Congressman Darrell Issa, who retired following the 2018 election from the 49th Congressional District, has decided to oppose his troubled former colleague Duncan Hunter in the 50th District, who is awaiting trial in January on charges of misusing his campaign funds. Issa’s entry into the race prompted two mayors (Bill Wells of El Cajon and Matt Rahn of Temecula) to withdraw from the race along with former Escondido Mayor Sam Abed and former Navy Seal Larry Wilske. County Supervisor Diane Jacob promptly endorsed Issa. However fellow Republican, Assemblyman Brian Jones, entered the race in which radio host and former San Diego City Councilman is also considered a strong contender. Ammar Campa-Najjar, meanwhile, dominates the Democratic side of the equation in the district. …
Sports
Back from surgery for a herniated cervical disk, San Diego Padres second baseman Ian Kinsler has returned to the team’s roster for the last games of the 2019 season.
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World War II collector auctioning Hitler memorabilia
Craig Gottlieb of Del Mar buys and sells military memorabilia. One piece which he obtained and now is putting up for auction in Germany is a military cap in which Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler was photographed wearing on several occasions. In an interview with Pam Kragen of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Gottlieb said “We don’t want to glorify the heart of evil, but destroying it does not serve history. These things will serve a purpose in the future. You have concrete ties to the past so that we can never forget.”
Mazel tov! Mazel tov!
Rabbi Alexis Pearce has been appointed as staff chaplain at UC San Diego Health. While serving as the pulpit rabbi at Reconstructionist Congregation Dor Hadash, Rabbi Pearce served as a president of the San Diego Rabbinical Association.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com