Donald H. Harrison

Jews are an Eternal People — So Far!

What makes the Jews “eternal?” First of all, genetics: “A team led by geneticist Harry Ostrer of the New York University School of Medicine concludes today that all three Jewish groups—Middle Eastern, Sephardic, and Ashkenazi—share genome-wide genetic markers that distinguish them from other worldwide populations.” [Steve Kramer]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer

OpEd: Honoring Ukraine’s Mass Murderer Simon Petliura is an Obscenity

“The delegation was met by soldiers and officers, […] with what is called a hostility: ‘Half the city (Kiev), all the Jews must be slaughtered. […] All three million Jews must be kicked out of Ukraine.’ Shocked by such sentiments of the Ukrainian troops, the delegation appealed to Petliura to prevent pogroms and bloodbaths in Kiev. Petliura replied that ‘he could not guarantee anything; the soldiers’ sentiments are known to him, but he sees here a thirst for revenge, and not antisemitism… [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Therapist who also Needed to be Healed Relates Her Experience with Mental Illness

Before she was prescribed lithium, author Marcia Naomi Berger experienced manic episodes in which her mind would race all night, preventing sleep, and continue racing the next day with her speech trying to keep up. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

July 4th Fireworks: Fun for Us, Traumatic for Some Pets

Speaking of fireworks, Gary Weitzman, CEO of the San Diego Humane Society, shared these four tips to prepare for July 4th. It is known as the loudest holiday of the year and the most frightening for our fur babies. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

$80 Million in California State Budget Will Help Protect Nonprofit Institutions, Including Those of the Jewish Community

Governor Gavin Newsom reached a three-party budget agreement Saturday with the Assembly and the Senate, in which they allocated a record $80 million annually for two years to fund the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program (CSNSGP). [David Bocarsly]

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Antisemitism, California, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Sweet Memories of a Short-Order Cook

The man at the grill never fully turned around, just swiveled his head slightly to acknowledge the newest person to grab a coveted spot at the counter or listen to the takeout order shouted at him by the person standing over the shoulder of somebody seated. He provided equal service to all — working-class men in coveralls, prim secretaries all made up and wearing high heels even on icy days, and Wall Street types in pinstripe suits. Nobody got special treatment. Nobody got special attention. First come, first served. [Karen Galatz]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

OpEd: The Powerful Lion Symbols at Entrance to Ma’ale Adumim

A unique, long-term partnership between the Diaspora and Israel resulted in Ma’ale Adumim being the beneficiary of two huge Lion sculptures. The two Lions of Judah, each eight feet in height and ten feet in length, majestically supine and serene, are sited at the city’s entrance for maximum visibility. They are just below the large, bold “I Love Ma’ale Adumim/ Welcome Visitors” sculpture. [Jerry Klinger]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

WJC, UNESCO Weigh Benefits, Threats of AI to Holocaust Education

The just-released report, published by UNESCO in partnership with WJC, explores the ethical and educational benefits and challenges that AI, and especially Generative AI (GAI), have on Holocaust memory, education and the spread of Holocaust denial and distortion. [World Jewish Congress]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology, World Jewish Congress

AJC’s Top Executive Reports on the Battle against Campus Antisemitism

The battle for our Jewish future requires taking bold action.

That’s exactly what I – along with my dedicated American Jewish Committee (AJC) colleagues – did this past week to help ensure Jewish and pro-Israel students can embrace their identity, and feel safe, supported, and empowered on their campuses. [Ted Deutch]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

This Summer Solstice was 228 Years in Coming

So, why the early arrival after 228 years has passed? The short answer is our calendar. A typical year has 365 days, however that is not exactly how long the Earth takes to orbit the sun – it is more like 365.24 days. The Gregorian calendar adds a day in February every four years we call “leap day” to account for this extra quarter for the Earth’s orbit. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors