Byliners

OpEd: Releases Hostages Made to Suffer One Last Time by Hamas Captors

We witnessed the first images: Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari and Romi Gonen’s propaganda-filled transfer- how they were forced to smile, accept a certificate and “goody bag”, appearing as if their time spent as hostages was all fun and games. That image of Doron, a beautiful young woman, in a bright pink sweater surrounded by a swarm of hostile Arabs chanting “Death to the Jews.” [Ilanit Zakowski]

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Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Grace Church Pastors Tell Why They Choose to Stand with Us Jews

I began my intervention by stating that I did not choose to be Jewish, that I was born in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, to Jewish parents, and that I was not asked for my opinion on religion when I was born, nor was I consulted about being circumcised at 8 days old. So, I suppose it was God’s will that determined my religion and, in part, my destiny. This automatically connected me with the audience because, like all religious people, they believe in God’s will, which allowed them to empathize with me. [José Galicot]

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

$50 Million for Gaza Condoms? Fact Checker Very Much Doubts White House Claim!

If my math is right, $50 million would buy more than 2,400 condoms for each and every male in Gaza between the ages of 15 and 64.
That would allow the use of a condom every day, for almost seven years by every male in Gaza in that age group. A daunting task. [Dorian de Wind, The Moderate Voice]

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Dorian de Wind, Israel, Middle East, The Moderate Voice, USA

Book Traces History of the Anne Frank House from Its Construction in 1635

The house at 263 Prinsengracht (Prince’s Canal) in Amsterdam was built in 1635, more than three centuries before its most famous resident—Anne Frank–lived and hid there from the Nazi occupiers. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hostage Release Greeted in Israel with Intense Emotions

The return of our hostages from the abyss of their captivity in Gaza to the exhilarating reunion with their families enabled most Israelis, as well as Jews and supporters everywhere, to share in their happiness. We sat shedding tears of joy as we watched the events on our television screens. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors

TICO Concert at LFJCC Captivates with Beethoven’s 5th and Romero

Amos explained his choice of piece, noting that the symphony played a significant role during World War II, with the first four notes famously symbolizing the Morse code for “V” — the letter for “Victory.” This symbolic connection made it a particularly poignant selection on the eve of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. (Sandy Scheller)

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Holocaust, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Sallah Shabati’: A Story of Satire, Stereotypes, and My Family’s Reality

Watching Sallah Shabati at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival at the Lawrence Familiy JCC — accompanied by Professor Laurie Baron’s insightful historical context — left me reflecting deeply not only on the film’s satirical brilliance but also on how it portrays Mizrahi immigrants, particularly those from Yemen. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Israel’s and UNRWA’S Relationship Reaches the Breaking Point

The relationship between Israel and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has reached a breaking point following staff involvement in the October 7 terrorist attacks and longstanding criticisms of its operations. These events have resulted in Israel’s decision to ban UNRWA from operating within its territories. [Miriam Gershenson]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rain, Human Kindness Give Hope Amid Wildfires

We all breathed a sigh of relief with the little bit of rain that came in over the weekend to help  extinguish the fires in Los Angeles and around San Diego County. As I checked my alerts on my phone, these fires are still not 100% contained. They are still active. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire