The Jewish Citizen: U.S. Congress Members Express Alarm over Turkey Cozying up to Hamas

Eleven Jewish members of Congress are among 39 urging “immediate classified briefings” from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on the implications of Turkey providing a haven for the leaders of Hamas. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mordechai Kedar: West’s Individualism, Secularism clash with Mideast’s Religiosity, Tribalism

Kedar also shed light on the complex alliances and rivalries shaping the region. He highlighted the strained relationship between Iran and its proxies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which has been exacerbated by Israel’s recent military successes. He predicted that the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape could shift further after January 20, aligning with potential changes in U.S. administration policies [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rescuing Judaism in a Post-Apocalyptic World

In this novel, which was adopted from author Shorr’s unrealized screenplay, Abe Katz, a civil engineer, was imprisoned after he told New Dominion interrogators that yes, he was a Jew, even though he had stopped practicing Judaism following his bar mitzvah and had adopted the regime’s rigid secularism. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Harpo Marx

Courtesy of Wikipedia Harpo Marx (November 23, 1888 – September 28, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, mime artist, and harpist, and the second-oldest of the Marx Brothers. In contrast to the mainly verbal comedy of his brothers Groucho and Chico, Harpo’s comic style was visual, being an example of vaudeville, clown and pantomime traditions. In all of his movie appearances, he wore a curly reddish

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

The Jewish Citizen: Some Trump Cabinet Picks Have Democratic Support

Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado says while he disagrees with Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s opposition to vaccines–and hopes he will not try to implement any anti-vaccination regulations—he believes Kennedy will look favorably on lowering prescription costs, reducing the use of pesticides, and improve nutrition in the schools. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

When Do Jews Wish Each Other a ‘Shabat Shalom?’

Recently I read an interesting article on myjewishlearning.com debating when it’s best to wish someone a good Shabbat.  Immediately thought, “Duh? It is sundown Friday night until sundown Saturday night, right?” Not necessarily, this article gave an interesting perspective acknowledging the middle of the week as the focal point of Shabbat. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israeli Scholar Proposes ‘8-Emirates Solution’ for Palestinians

Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a Middle Eastern affairs expert, is no stranger to innovative and bold proposals for resolving long standing regional conflicts. Among his most discussed ideas is the 8-State Solution, or as he quickly clarifies, the “8 Emirates Solution.” During our conversation, he provided an in-depth explanation of the concept, grounded in his extensive experience and understanding of Middle Eastern geopolitics and sociology. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Trump’s Cabinet and Netanyahu’s Coalition

Both leaders, though governing vastly different nations, seem to have embraced a strategy of relying on polarizing figures to solidify their political power.  For me, as someone with deep ties to both countries, this parallel is unsettling. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

SDSO Guest Conductor Elena Schwartz Shows Command Over Different Musical Styles

With precise gestures and total command, guest conductor, Elena Schwarz led the San Diego Symphony Sunday, Nov. 17, in a concert that included contemporary music in the first half and a familiar, beloved symphony after intermission. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Scarlett Johansson

Courtesy of Wikipedia Scarlett Johansson (November 22, 1984) is an American actress and singer. The world’s highest-paid actress in 2018 and 2019, she has been featured multiple times on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021. Johansson’s films have grossed over $15.4 billion worldwide, making her the highest-grossing box office female star of all time. She

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

The Matzo Chronicles: My Fountain of Youth … Time with Young People

With apologies to Ponce de Leon and plastic surgeons, I have discovered the real Fountain of Youth. It’s spending time with young people. I made this fortuitous discovery just the other day as I peered into the glowing, unlined face of a student I was working with. Actually two things hit me. The first was that I was 50 years her senior! Five-zero. A half a century. Yikes! [Karen Galatz]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israeli Scholar Explains Religious Conflicts Between Jews and Muslims

Kedar emphasized that Islam views Judaism as having been nullified twice—first by Christianity and then by Islam itself. This ideological framework, Kedar argued, underpins much of the hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people in the Middle East today. According to this belief, the existence of Jews with their own land, military, and rights is an incomprehensible anomaly to the Islamic world. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Jewish Citizen: ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant Prompt Strong Reactions

Jewish communal reactions came fast and furious on Thursday to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on suspicion of war crimes. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA