Other items in today’s column include:
*Rabbi Halevy ponders reaction in case of alleged juvenile attacker
*San Diego Jewish Academy’s budding country music stars
*Forum on Coronaviru
SAN DIEGO — Two news releases hit my desk nearly simultaneously. One was from the office of U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. The other was from the Anti-Defamation League. Both were concerned about the possibility of attempts being made on Nov. 3 to interfere with the orderly processes of the election.
Brewer stated that “federal law prohibits intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input.”
Furthermore, Brewer said, “Federal law also protects voters from intimidation and harassment, including challenges at polling places designed to interrupt or intimidate voters, or the photographing or videotaping of voters under the pretext of uncovering illegal voting. Federal law also protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to receive assistance by a person of their choice to overcome a disability or illiteracy.”
Brewer announced that Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher P. Tenorio will “lead the efforts on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office [in San Diego] in connection with the Justice Department’s Election Day Program.” Tenorio will be on duty while the polls are open and, in the event that anyone witnesses election violations, he may be telephoned at (619) 909-7556.
“The public is advised, however, to call 911 in the case of a crime of violence or active intimidation,” Brewer said. “State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places and can generally respond more quickly in an emergency. Federal authorities can respond thereafter.”
In the news release from the Anti-Defamation League, its national executive director Jonathan Greenblatt wrote: “As the 2020 election approaches, we are mindful that some extremists may seek to exploit the divisive political atmosphere in the country. This situation has been exacerbated by the pandemic and by irresponsible rhetoric from political leaders fanning the flames of intolerance.”
He said that ADL has an “online reporting form, where the public will be able to report possible hate crimes or extremism-related incidents quickly and confidentially.”
“ADL has established a text short code to provide convenient access to the reporting form. Anyone can text “hatehelp” to 51555 to receive a link and additional information on how to report extremist activity or other manifestations of hate, such as antisemitic or racist graffiti.”
Greenblatt said ADL experts will be on standby to assess situations “to determine whether there’s a need to elevate reports to law enforcement, polling officials, or other government authorities.” Staff in ADL’s various regional offices, including one in San Diego “will also help assess and follow up on possible threats.”
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Rabbi Halevy ponders reaction in case of alleged juvenile attacker
Because the alleged attacker is a juvenile who is accused of clobbering Rabbi Yonatan Halevy on the head, knocking him over, during the Sukkot holiday period, little will be said about him beyond what already was reported: that he is 14 years of old, charged with a hate crime, and was placed in juvenile detention.
Juvenile court proceedings are closed to the press and the public; however, the juvenile’s parents and the victim are permitted to attend the hearings and in the event of a trial by judge to offer their opinions and thoughts about what would be the most appropriate way to deal with the offender. While the district attorney’s office is prohibited by law from commenting on the specific case, it has on its website generall guidance about “navigating the juvenile court system,” which may be accessed via this link.
Asked by San Diego Jewish World how he feels about the young man’s arrest, the Sephardic rabbi who leads Kehillat Shaar Hashamayim of University City responded that he hopes to learn more about whether this was a first-time offense or if the boy has a long record of antisocial behavior. The answer to that question will determine how prosecutors approach the case, he said.
For his part, he said, “as a rabbi, I always hope, especially for someone that age, that he can get the help that he needs in order to grow to be a responsible adult.” Depending on the circumstances, he added, “that may be therapy, counseling, community service.” assuming the boy would cooperate.
Asked if he would like to talk one-on-one with his assailant, Halevy responded: “I have been contemplating this and it requires a lot of thought. I spoke with Tammy Gillies (the regional director of the Anti-Defamation League) and their attitude is that it is not just a one-on-one crime, it is a crime against all Jewish people … to send a message.”
Rabbi Halevy said: “On a human-to-human level, I would love to sit with anyone and talk to them and understand why hatred exists and why intolerance exists and why prejudice exists and to see what I can contribute to the conversation.”
The rabbi added that he anticipated meeting with an assistant district attorney later this week to further discuss the case.
ADL Regional Director Gillies commented, “I hope all the parties can work together to come to a positive outcome.”
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San Diego Jewish Academy’s budding country music stars
Kelley King, head of the lower school at San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA), has a very good connection in Nashville, Tennessee, the capital of the country music world. Her daughter, Roxy King, is a music publisher in Nashville. Roxy put her mother in touch with young country singer Dylan Brady, who already has his first album out. Brady agreed to work with 5th grade students via Zoom to help them compose country-style odes to their teachers, Danielle Heyde and Lauren Dolinka.
Brady and the students came up with a song about each teacher, which amid many student giggles and anticipation, he sang for them during a class time Zoom broadcast. “I’m going to cry!” commented the delighted, yet somewhat embarrassed Mrs. Dolinka.
The presentations were part of a program that SDJA calls “Nash@SDJA,” which Kelly King described as a “completely different approach to music education” that has provided “a unique and engaging experience” for the SDJA students. In addition to crafting lyrics (although nothing really rhymes well with “Dolinka”), the students learned about “the writers/ artists, their career paths, [and] the music industry,” Kelly King said.
“There are so many creative ways to contribute to the music industry that I never knew existed growing up — I’m so excited to expose the students to basic things I never had the opportunity to learn as a kid,” commented Alex Tamashunas of Creative Music Publishing, who is participating in Nash@SDJA. “Above all else, I hope they take away new ways to express themselves and communicate their unique thoughts and identities through art. It’s something everyone can benefit from, whether they choose to put their creations out into the world or keep it for themselves.”
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Forum on Coronavirus
*Davey Smith, MD, chief of infectious diseases at UC San Diego, will participate in a Q&A session about the coronavirus and other infectious diseases at a 7 p.m. meeting of Congregation Beth Israel Men’s Club on Wednesday, Nov. 18 via Zoom. According to a news release, Davey is “part of the global effort among scientists to find ways to slow and eventually stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, working on Operation Warp Speed, a federal initiative to deliver coronavirus vaccines and treatments.” Register for the free event via this link.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com