SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The chairman of the University of California Board of Regents, Rich Leib, who is a San Diego County resident, disclosed to Sunday’s symposium on antisemitism cosponsored by the Jewish Federation of San Diego and the American Jewish Committee that the stands he has taken against antisemitism has prompted 120 groups to call for his resignation. “I can say that is not going to happen,” he declared during a panel session on campus antisemitism.
In the background of the controversy is that some UC professors are under investigation for whether their anti-Israel, pro-Hamas posts on social media ‘crossed the line,” he said. The question with which the UC system is grappling is “First Amendment rights versus safety.”
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In the same panel session, Mesa College Journalism Prof. Janna Braun asked Karen Parry, director of Hillel of San Diego, whether the organization could also service local community colleges. Parry agreed that Hillel “should have boots on the ground” at Mesa and other community colleges, adding that it’s a goal “to make it happen.”
Hillel operates, at San Diego State University and UC San Diego, full-time centers, which she described as a “refuges” and “safe spaces” for Jewish students who feel harassed and attacked by the organization known as Students for Justice in Palestine and certain professors. Hillel also has a staff presence at Cal State San Marcos and at the University of San Diego.
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Sophomore Ori Lerer, who is president of the SDSU chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, described two incidents of harassment. During an on-campus SJP rally at which the slogan “From the River to the Sea” was chanted along with calls for boycotting Nike, Lerer said he stood off to one side, holding an Israeli flag. One fellow “came and harassed us.” In another instance, a fellow came to the AEPi house and “cursed us out.” Nowadays, Lerer said, “being Jewish is controversial.” Nevertheless, “we hold vigils and rallies to support Israel. If we don’t do it, nobody will and then SJP wins and it’s 1939 all over again.” Facing “so much hatred,” there are times of “not wanting to get out of bed,” Lerer said.
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Shayna Kaufmann, describing herself as a UC Berkeley mom, said when a daughter sits in Hebrew class, there have been demonstrators screaming on the other side of the door, “From the River to the Sea,” interfering with learning. She said that campus administration’s response to complaints was that the protesters are exercising their free speech.
Around the County
Film Director Jeff L. Lieberman and San Diegan Leandra Zarnow, author of Battling Bella, will discuss the documentary film, Bella, in a talkback following its screening at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, during the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival at the Lawrence Family JCC, 4126 Executive Drive. Lieberman writes to us that San Diego is the first venue in the film’s 12-city spring tour and that it will premiere this year on PBS’s “American Masters” series. Among interviewees in the documentary are Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Barbra Streisand, Shirley MacLaine, Lily Tomlin, Gloria Steinem, Maxine Waters, Marlo Thomas, Phil Donahue, David Dinkins, Renée Taylor and Charlie Rangel. A trailer for the film may be viewed at the top of this column.
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The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego announces the availability of the Jeffrey D. Sollender College Scholarship for graduating high school seniors from San Diego County families with an annual gross income of less than $80,000. The student must have a grade point average above 3.2, and demonstrate outstanding achievement in entrepreneurial ventures, community service, or in the workplace. The scholarship is for up to $16,000 paid in installments over four years. Applications are due by Feb. 19 via this website.
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Jewish Political Scene
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has been endorsed by the Farm Bureau of San Diego County in his election challenge to incumbent County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer. Farm Bureau President Dana Groot commented, “His proven ability to collaborate and bring people of differing viewpoints together to solve major public policy challenges makes him the best choice for Supervisor.”
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San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera leads in fundraising in the District 9 City Council race, reports David Garrick of the San Diego Union-Tribune. In the most recent reporting period, Elo-Rivera had raised $64,000, outstripping the $15,000 gathered by Terry Hoskins and $8,000 received by Fernando Garcia’s campaign.
–OBITUARY NOTICE–
Beth Jacob Congregation reports that Hal Gerendash of Pittsburgh – the brother of Joel Gerendash of San Diego – has died and that the shiva will be held at the home of their sister in Pittsburgh.
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SDJW staff report