dhharrison

Trump and the Rise of U.S. Violence

By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — Right-wing thugs plotted to kidnap Michigan’s governor while New York authorities walked a tightrope to contain the Covid-19 virus amid Orthodox Jewish protests that escalated to violence. President Trump’s role: He encouraged the revolting antics (conveniently, two meanings in one) of militias and even suggested that New York […]

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Bruce Ticker, Jewish Religion, USA

Former San Diegan aids Sephardim seeking Spanish citizenship

By Nichole Martinez Kruse ZARAGOSA, Spain — Throughout my life, I was drawn to Jewish culture and Jewish communities as they evoked a sense of familiarity although I was raised as Catholic. My father has German roots and my maternal side is Mexican-American. My maternal family took great pride in their Spanish heritage. Despite the

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International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County

Amid pandemic, Brandeis Collegiate Institute pivots to alumni

By Luke Stafford SIMI VALLEY, California –When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Los Angeles in mid-March, Rabbi Morris Panitz, director of American Jewish University’s (AJU) Ziering Brandeis Collegiate Institute (BCI), knew that this year’s iteration of the beloved summer program he oversees would be unlike anything seen in years past. For nearly eight decades, BCI—housed under

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

An evening with Fritz Perls

By Ira Spector SAN DIEGO — One of the very most prominent names in the field of Humanistic Psychology was Fritz Perls, the great Gestalt Psychiatrist. When Fritz was alive, he was often bored, but never boring. He was arrogant, mean at times, totally individualistic, and posturing. He dressed as a guru with a full

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Lifestyles

Police increase patrols following attack on rabbi

Other items in this column include: *Seacrest Village has newly reconfigured kosher kitchen *Jewish organizational news *In memoriam By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Police Department considers last Saturday’s attack on Rabbi Yonatan Halevy to be a “high priority incident” and as a result will increase patrols in the University City

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Holiday gatherings hamper Israel’s fight against coronavirus

By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Life here has focused on the confluence of holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, plus the preoccupation of the Prime Minister with his indictments. The combination is a spike in the illnesses of the ultra-Orthodox, and manipulations by the Prime Minister to remain on the good side

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Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Sephardic rabbi says youths attacked him

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Sephardic Rabbi Yonatan Halevy of Kehillat Shaar Hashamayin (Community of the Gates of Heaven)  has told police that he was attacked by teenagers during the Sukkot holiday last Saturday as he walked with his father Shalom Halevy, a stroke victim, near his congregation at 3232 Governor Drive, Suite

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Israel to receive another 2,000 Ethiopian Jewish immigrants

JERUSALEM  (Press Release) — The Jewish Agency for Israel and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) applaud Monday’s decision by the Government of Israel to approve the Aliyah (immigration) of 2,000 members of the Ethiopian community who are expected to arrive in Israel by early 2021. These Olim (immigrants) are among the thousands in

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International, Middle East

Jewish trivia quiz: Birkat Kohanim

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — On the Jewish festival holidays, and additionally in some communities on Shabbat, the Birkat Kohanim–the Priestly Blessing–is traditionally offered as part of the Musaf service, the additional service that follows the Torah reading. But on Simchat Torah, which we just celebrated, the Birkat Kohanim is traditionally offered

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Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman

Crypto Jews: Finding and Embracing their Roots

By Mimi Pollack L’Chaim San Diego Magazine SAN DIEGO — My late fiancé, an 8th generation New Mexican, used to tell me about the secret or crypto Jews of New Mexico. He was convinced that although he was raised Catholic, some of his ancestors were “Conversos” or secret Jews who came to New Mexico when

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Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA