Donald H. Harrison

An Israeli-American Perspective: Comparing Education Systems

From a young age, there is an emphasis on critical thinking and debate, perhaps reflecting Israel’s diverse society and its focus on security and civic responsibility. The famous Israeli chutzpah starts in the classroom, where students are encouraged to question, challenge, and engage in lively discussions with their teachers. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Two JNF Organizations Pledge $25 Million Each to Rebuild Communities Devastated on Oct. 7

Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund and Jewish National Fund-USA announced a joint venture dedicated to rebuilding the communities in southern Israel devastated by the Hamas terrorist assault on Oct. 7, in addition to ensuing attacks. [Press Release]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, USA

In Israel, It’s the Year of the Bumper Sticker

Since October 7th, grassroots campaigns have taken place to educate the public about our heroic warriors who died Al Kiddush Hashem protecting our nation. The medium used is the humble bumper sticker. These stickers usually feature the person’s name, photo, date of passing, and a quote or value reflecting their spirit. [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish, Catholic Social Service Agencies Receive $43.67 Million to Aid Migrants

Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego, announced an additional $43,675,626 in Shelter and Services Program funding Wednesday for non-governmental organizations providing support to migrants awaiting their immigration court proceedings. [Elizabeth Ireland, Times of San Diego]

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International, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Times of San Diego, USA

Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Have Lost Effectiveness

The pro-Arab network has spent the past 5 ½ years pressuring Democrats to undermine Israel, forcing them to walk a tightrope between Israel-bashers and the Jewish community. Not now. A week ago, I was ready to suggest that their influence could be waning. No longer “could be.” It is waning. They have lost much of their credibility, and both protesters and high-level Democrats agree with that assessment, in so many words. [Bruce Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Book Chronicles 40 Diverse Stories from October 7th, 2023

One Day in October by Yair Agmon and Oriya Mevorach is a poignant and powerful memoir that captures the heart-wrenching events of October 7, 2023, in Israel. Through the lens of 40 individual stories, this book delves into the lives of those who survived the massacre, as well as the memories of those who tragically lost their lives on that fateful day. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Careful, Beauties Ahead’ Probes Lives of Haredim

Tuvia is an expat Israeli born to a Yiddish-speaking rabbinical family in Bnei Brak, Israel’s largest majority ultra-Orthodox city. He has lived in Germany, the US, and elsewhere for many decades, working as a journalist and author. Holding multiple academic degrees and speaking several languages, Tuvia is also a playwright, essayist, and the founding artistic director of the Jewish Theater of New York. [Steve Kramer]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

Go West, Young Jellyfish, Go West

“Until now, it was assumed that jellyfish aggregations swim in a random manner, so that their direction is dictated solely by water currents. Thanks to innovative research methods, we discovered that along the coast of Israel, jellyfish swim toward the west, i.e., against the direction of the waves,” said Prof. Yoav Lehahn of the Department of Marine Geosciences at the University of Haifa, the editor of the study. [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share

Local Events Focus on Upcoming Anniversary of Oct. 7 Massacre

As the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre approaches, San Diego’s Jewish community’s programming and thoughts focus on the people of  Southern Israel, in particular those of Sha’ar Hanegev, San Diego’s Sister City which was ravaged in the attacks. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

‘Go Around Cemetery’ Sign Led to Program of Community Participation in Development Projects

I sincerely internalized lessons from his experience and that signpost, coming to understand the needs that communities determine and express and the responsibility of development agencies to respond accordingly. This primary tenet of sustainability is so simple, and yet it has taken decades for prior generations worldwide (and still may require generations going forward) to truly forsake the destructive control of central planning in lieu of people’s own decision-making as it impacts their lives. [Yossef Ben-Meir]

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International, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Yossef Ben-Meir