Donald H. Harrison

Fast-Moving Events in Israel and the Middle East Make Heads Spin

Our minds and hearts are still reeling from the events of the last year, starting with the vile attack on kibbutzim and towns in the south by Hamas, the subsequent war in Gaza, political division in Israel and the current trial for corruption of Prime Minister Netanyahu, when we find our northern neighbor and enemy, Syria, in turmoil as a result of the rebel groups’ overthrow of Assad’s murderous regime. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘The Ice Cream Man,’ a Holocaust Short, Screened by Chabad of RSF

A packed crowd attended the San Diego County premiere of The Ice Cream Man hosted by Drs William and Laura Freeman.  Chabad of RSF Rabbi Levi and Rebbetzin Devorah Raskin invited viewers to wonderful delectables followed by ice cream. [Sandy Scheller]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Archaeologists Find Chamber for Paleolithic Religious Ceremonies in Cave in the Galilee

A rare prehistoric ritual complex has been uncovered in the darkest depths of Manot Cave in the Western Galilee, Israel. The complex is enclosed naturally by impressive stalagmites that create a distinctive entrance to the site and features a unique and impressive rock with geometric engravings resembling a turtle shell. [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Israel Sets Up ‘Defense Zone’ on Syrian Territory

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced he has instructed the IDF to establish in southern Syria “a defense zone free of weapons and terrorist threats … without a permanent Israeli presence in order to prevent terrorism in Syria from taking root and organizing.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Was Jacob Righteous?

Was Rashi correct in thinking Jacob was righteous? Some might argue that, in many ways, he was like other humans. He had good and bad points. He made mistakes, as we all do. But generally speaking, he was not uniformly righteous. They will say that Jacob’s mistakes are recorded in the Bible to teach us that we must avoid mistakes. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Murder Mystery Secondary to a Fine Portrait of Skid Row

This murder mystery takes place on Chicago’s run down southside, circa 1966. But two murders don’t start the novel, they occur very close to the end. The story begins with a young, idealistic Jewish dentist starting a practice on Skid Row and becoming acclimated to the drunkards and junkies who inhabit the neighborhood. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Elisha Expanded on His Mentor Elijah’s Role as Prophet

Israel Drazin’s Who Was the Prophet Elisha? is a thought-provoking exploration of one of the Bible’s most enigmatic figures. Through a blend of scholarly rigor and accessible analysis, Drazin offers a comprehensive examination of Elisha’s life, ministry, and legacy, presenting new insights into the prophet’s role in biblical narratives. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Future U.S. Middle East Envoy’s Message to Hamas: Listen to Donald Trump

Steve Witkoff, President-elect Trump’s designee as his Middle East envoy reiterated at a conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that Hamas had better release the hostages prior to Jan. 20, when Trump takes office.  “Listen to what the president has got to say.  It’s not a pretty day if they’re not released.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Bowl Games to Highlight College Football at the End of this Month

College football season comes to an end in the next couple of weeks. The college football playoffs are so confusing for us who grew up with just the bowls. My Dad z”l took me to the “Holiday Bowl” here in San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Seismographs Able to Detect Troop Movements

A groundbreaking study conducted by Tel Aviv University (TAU) researchers has identified the seismic signature of Hamas forces’ movement before the October 7th attack, analyzing data recorded at three seismic stations in southern Israel. They believe the discovery demonstrates the potential usage of seismic-based sensing technology to provide early warnings of terrorist activity. [Press Release]

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Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

OpEd: The Iranian ‘Ring of Fire’ Around Israel Has Been Doused

There was a time, not so long ago, when the Iranian mullahs seemed to be on top of the world. Their vision of an Iranian Caliphate stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea was succeeding. Iran, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon – all were lined up and ready with Gaza to activate Iran’s “Ring of Fire” circling Israel. Israel’s destruction by the “axis of resistance” would have made Iran the preeminent power in the Middle East, eclipsing both Turkey and Egypt. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: South Korea

The ‍first ‍Jews ‍to ‍settle ‍in ‍Korea ‍included ‍Jewish ‍soldiers ‍who ‍fought ‍there ‍during ‍the ‍Korean ‍War ‍in ‍the ‍early ‍1950’s. ‍A ‍Chabad ‍House ‍was ‍established ‍in ‍2008, ‍and ‍a ‍mikveh ‍was ‍opened ‍in ‍2019. ‍What ‍book ‍that ‍is ‍connected ‍to ‍Judaism ‍or ‍Israel ‍is ‍a ‍best ‍seller ‍in ‍South ‍Korea? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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International, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish Biography: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosopher and Logician

At the age of 14, Ludwig left his parents’ home to attend a real gymnasium in Linz, where his fellow student was Adolf Schicklgruber, the future Hitler, who was born six days earlier than Wittgenstein. Although the Wittgenstein family had converted to Christianity, they were considered Jews throughout the neighborhood. Therefore, the appearance of a Jew in the classroom provoked the ill-will of his classmates and the hatred of Hitler. “This Jew we did not particularly trust, […] we doubted his trustworthiness,” Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors