Other items in this column include:
*Holocaust Survivor’s story
*Worldwide Kristallnacht Remembrance
*Political bytes
*In memoriam
SAN DIEGO — Federal prosecutors still haven’t decided whether to seek the death penalty for the assailant who killed Lori Gilbert Kaye and wounded three other people at Chabad of Poway during a Passover 2019 observance, Kristina Davis of The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Saturday. The newspaper said that the defense team for defendant John T. Earnest, 21, has reported that the coronavirus pandemic has hampered “mitigation investigation critical to a meaningful penalty phase in a capital prosecution.”
The State of California has a simultaneous case against Earnest in which prosecutors are expected to ask for the death penalty even though Gov. Gavin Newsom has said he would decline to permit any executions during his term of office.
While Earnest is, by law, presumed innocent until proven guilty, he telephoned 911 after the shooting to confess to the rampage and to state where officers could find him for a peaceful arrest. Prior to the shooting attack, Earnest reportedly had posted online an anti-Semitic screed.
Holocaust Survivor’s Story
Sandra Scheller, curator of the Project RUTH exhibit at the Chula Vista Public Library, recently interviewed Holocaust Survivor Jacklyn Lewicki, who now lives in San Diego. The interview may be accessed here. RUTH is an acronym for “Remember Us: The Holocaust” it is also the first name of Sheller’s late mother, Ruth Sax, who also was a Holocaust survivor.
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Worldwide Kristallnacht Remembrance
Marcia Wollner, Western Region Director of the March of the Living, says remembering Kristallnacht, which occurred in Germany on the evening of Nov. 9-10, 1938 in Nazi Germany, is important because “Kristallnacht foreshadowed what was yet to come. We have be told ‘those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’ It is our responsibilty to commit to ‘Never Again, Never Means Never and Never is Now’ in order to ensure a bright and safe future. In 1938, Jewish synagogues were burned, and Jews were victims of torture and terror. Today, in 2020, our synagogues and synagogue clergy are still under attack. The ‘Let There be Light’ campaign enables us to reflect and pledge to take a stand to work together towards a brighter future. Locally, our Hadassah chapters have committed to support this project. Please go to the website www.motl.org/let-there-be-light to participate in this project.”
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Political bytes
*U.S. Rep. Scott Peters (D-San Diego) has endorsed Sara Jacobs in her bid to succeed retiring Rep. Susan Davis in the 53rd Congressional District. Peters said he chose Jacobs instead of San Diego City Council President Georgette Gomez because “she is laser-focused on COVID response and our economic recovery. She wants to invest in families, workers, and small businesses — and bring together people of all backgrounds and beliefs to make progress.”
*Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Diego an Orange Counties) has introduced legislation to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to keep a resident inspect onsite at nuclear power plants undergoing decommissioning. The congressman commented: “My top priority is keeping my constituents safe, which is why I repeatedly called for a resident NRC inspector at San Onofre during its spent fuel transfer process. While the NRC refused to take that necessary measure at San Onofre despite multiple safety incidents, we can learn from that failure and improve safety at other decommissioning plants across the country.”
In memoriam
Jean A. (Jackson) Galan, 80, died Thursday, Oct. 22, Am Israel Mortuary reported. Details concerning funeral services were not immediately available.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com Free obituaries in memory of members of the San Diego County Jewish community are sponsored on San Diego Jewish World by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.