SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Ruth Mastron, president of the House of Israel in Balboa Park, compliments the StandWithUs organization which “generously covers the cost of our security guard, and without them, we could have locked up and gone home two years ago.” She also has invited supporters to represent the House of Israel midday on Saturday, March 16, when photographer John Raymond Mireles photographs people and the various national cottages for a body of work focusing on San Diego’s immigrant population. “People can be in street clothes or in traditional dress representing their culture,” Mastron reported. “It’s a great opportunity for the House of Israel to be part of this exhibit and good exposure for all of us.”
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Noy Nehardea, regional director of the Israeli American Council, is surveying members of the Jewish community about such issues as their attachment to Israel, their contacts with the Israeli American Council, and whether candidates’ policies toward Israel are a factor in how they vote. Here is a link to the survey.
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JEWISH COMMUNITY
Rabbi Rafi Andrusier reacted to the news that Dr. Ruth Gottesman donated $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine so that future students could study there tuition free. “While such a monumental donation is extraordinary,” said the Chabad of East County rabbi, “it’s essential to recognize that you don’t need to be a billionaire to leave a lasting legacy. Your contribution, regardless of its size, can make a significant difference in the lives of others.”
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GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera has a campaign war chest of nearly $40,000 compared to just under $8,000 for opponents Terry Hoskins and $625 for Fernando Garcia in the District 9 San Diego City Council race, according to San Diego Union-Tribune reporter David Garrick. In the reporting period between Jan. 21 and Feb. 17, Elo-Rivera raised $903, Hoskins $810, and Garcia $475.
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U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) notes that Friday, March 1 “is one of House Republicans’ two self-imposed government shutdown deadlines. If House Republicans fail to pass a budget, food safety inspections will stop, paychecks will be delayed for some federal employees, essential food programs like SNAP and WIC may be cut off, veterans programs and federal loan housing support will be disrupted, and so much more. A partial government shutdown would cost our country billions of dollars.” She added: “I’m doing everything I can to ensure that we honor the bipartisan and bicameral funding agreement that was made months ago—so that we can keep the government open and keep the programs going that millions of Americans rely on.” … Her independent opponent in the March 5 primary election, Stan Caplan, told East County Magazine some of the ways he differs from Jacobs and from her Republican opponent, Mayor Bill Wells of El Cajon.
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County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer voted on Tuesday, Feb. 27, with the four other supervisors to spend $102 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that remained from a $650 million federal grant. The unanimous board voted to allocate $67 million for “ARPA Framework” projects and $35 million for “Evergreen” projects. Here is a detailed summary from the County News Center of how the money will be spent.
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SDJW staff