SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) says that she is “outraged” that a global assistance program recently approved by the House of Representative “excludes funding for UNRWA, which is delivering irreplaceable, life-saving aid to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Palestinian children are starving and need relief and cutting off U.S. support for UNRWA will worsen their suffering.”
The United States, European Union, and 16 other nations cut off aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) after Israel reported that 12 UNRWA employees participated in the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre of nearly 1,200 Israelis. This month the European Union, Canada and Sweden resumed funding UNRWA. Other nations that had suspended aid were Australia, Austria, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. UNRWA has approximately 30,000 employees throughout the Middle East, 99 percent of them locally recruited Palestinians.
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The Israeli-American Council has circulated the adjacent timeline detailing how Purim has been celebrated over the centuries.
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The San Diego Union-Tribune ran a guest commentary by Gabrielle Hazan, a parent at San Diego Jewish Academy, reflecting on the recent visit to San Diego by 11th and 12th grade students from San Diego’s sister city of Sha’ar Hanegev. Here is a link.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
March being Women’s History Month, the San Diego City Council recognized women across the city who have made a difference. Councilwoman Jennifer Campbell chose as her honoree Kimberly Becker, the President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “She is responsible for fiscal management and oversight of daily operations at the San Diego International Airport, which is the busiest single-runway airport in the country,” Campbell said. “In her role, Kim oversees capital improvement projects, including the $3 billion New Terminal 1 Project, that will enhance the airport experience for all the air travelers who come to San Diego. Under Kim’s leadership, the airport has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to sustainability, and it was recently named the second-ever carbon-neutral airport in North America.”
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San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has proposed that the county stockpile Misoprostol and Mifepristone medications for abortion treatments. The proposal will come before the County Board of Supervisors at its April 9 meeting, the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against putting restrictions on abortion medications. “Reproductive freedom is under attack and it’s our responsibility to help uphold a woman’s right to abortion access,” she said. “Mifepristone helps those who suffer from natural pregnancy loss, in addition to stopping pregnancies in the early stages, and this reproductive healthcare medication needs to remain available. It is the reason I feel our County must work with the State to ensure people in San Diego County have access to it.” The 5-member, technically non-partisan Board of Supervisors has three Democrats, including Lawson-Remer, and two Republicans.
JEWISH HUMOR
Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of El Cajon passes along the following story: A shadchan (matchmaker) goes to see a poor man and says, “I want to arrange a marriage for your son.” Martin replies, “I never interfere in my son’s life.” The shadchan responds, “But the girl is Lord Rothschild’s daughter.” “Well, in that case…”
Next, the shadchan approaches Lord Rothschild. “I have a husband for your daughter.” “But my daughter is too young to marry.” “But this young man is already a vice president of the World Bank.” “Ah, in that case…”
Finally, the shadchan goes to see the president of the World Bank. “I have a young man to recommend to you as a vice president.” “But I already have more vice presidents than I need.” “But this young man is Lord Rothschild’s son-in-law.” “Ah, in that case….”
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SDJW staff