Four boys’ names from Hebrew Bible make San Diego County’s top 10 in 2018
Four names from the Hebrew Bible made the top 10 for boys born in San Diego County during 2018, according to records on file with the county Health and Human Services Agency. These were Noah in second place with 202 instances, Benjamin in fifth place with 185, Daniel in sixth place with 178, and Ethan in seventh with 172.
The top boy’s name with 242 instances was Liam. Others making the top 10 list were Sebastian, third; Mateo, fourth; Oliver, eighth; Alexander, ninth, and Logan, with 156, tenth.
Biblical names did not fare so well with girls, with none being in the top 10. The highest ranking name was Emma with 264 instances, and the tenth ranked name was Charlotte with 137. Between them were Olivia, Mia, Isabella, Camila, Sophia, Sofia, Victoria, and Mila.
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Pennsylvania native takes over as president of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University’s new president, Daniel Chamovitz [pronounced Sham-a-vitz], a native of Pennsylvania, made aliyah in 1984. Most recently, he served as dean of the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University, where he founded the Manna Center Program for Food Safety and Security. A biologist, he is also passionate about the study of the arts and humanities.
He has published more than 50 academic articles and book chapters and serves on the editorial boards for several leading academic journals in his field. His critically acclaimed book, “What a Plant Knows (2012),” has been translated into 18 languages and was voted Top 10 on Amazon.
He received his Ph.D. in genetics and a B.Sc. in biology from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1995, he completed his postdoctoral research at Yale University. — From Ben Gurion University
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JDCA seeks end to government shutdown, support for Israel, protection of the Mueller investigation
The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), welcoming the 116th Congress, suggested that “the first order of business must be to end President Trump’s needless government shutdown. Make no mistake – this shutdown is not really about border security. It is an empty political stunt that has paralyzed segments of the U.S. government, hurt hundreds of thousands of government employees, and cast a shadow of uncertainty on the future of our country. We do not need a border wall. What we need is enhanced border security, comprehensive and humane immigration reform, and a fully functioning government that is open for business to do the work of the American people.”
The organization’s press release said that the JDCA also ” looks forward to working with the new Congress on our top priorities, which include promoting social justice, human rights, and freedoms; comprehensive and humane immigration reform; combating anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred and bigotry; protecting democratic institutions and the right to vote; supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship and Israel’s security; defending against climate change and other environmental threats; advocating for common-sense gun reforms; and supporting access to affordable healthcare for all Americans.”
Additionally, JDCA also urged the House “to fulfill its duty to serve as a check on the executive branch. It is essential that the House investigate all credible claims of wrongdoing, unethical behavior, and potential crimes of the Trump administration and preserve the integrity and independence of the Mueller investigation.” — From Jewish Democratic Council of America
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Schiff predicts Congress will “resist the worst impulses of Trump”
U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-California) says with the opening of the new session of Congress, in which Democrats control the House of Representatives, there will be changes in Washington. He said, “Democrats will hold the House majority for the first time since 2011, and we’re bringing the most diverse Congress our nation has ever seen. And though we literally took the oath of office an hour ago, we’re getting right to work to pass legislation today to end Trump’s government shutdown, without giving a dime towards his wasteful wall.
“With Democrats at the helm, this will no longer be a Congress of shutdowns, healthcare repeals, or attacks on the most vulnerable. This is a Congress by, of, and for the people, as it should always be. While we resist the worst impulses of Trump and the GOP, we will also work to pass legislation that creates real, positive change, like expanding affordable healthcare, gun violence reform, stronger voting rights, and action on climate change. We will hold this president accountable, put a check on his worst impulses, and will not be cowed by his attacks.”
Preceding items culled from news releases and correspondence. Please send yours to editor@sdjewishworld.com