Byliners

Rescuing Judaism in a Post-Apocalyptic World

In this novel, which was adopted from author Shorr’s unrealized screenplay, Abe Katz, a civil engineer, was imprisoned after he told New Dominion interrogators that yes, he was a Jew, even though he had stopped practicing Judaism following his bar mitzvah and had adopted the regime’s rigid secularism. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Jewish Citizen: Some Trump Cabinet Picks Have Democratic Support

Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado says while he disagrees with Health and Human Services Secretary-designate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s opposition to vaccines–and hopes he will not try to implement any anti-vaccination regulations—he believes Kennedy will look favorably on lowering prescription costs, reducing the use of pesticides, and improve nutrition in the schools. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

When Do Jews Wish Each Other a ‘Shabat Shalom?’

Recently I read an interesting article on myjewishlearning.com debating when it’s best to wish someone a good Shabbat.  Immediately thought, “Duh? It is sundown Friday night until sundown Saturday night, right?” Not necessarily, this article gave an interesting perspective acknowledging the middle of the week as the focal point of Shabbat. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israeli Scholar Proposes ‘8-Emirates Solution’ for Palestinians

Dr. Mordechai Kedar, a Middle Eastern affairs expert, is no stranger to innovative and bold proposals for resolving long standing regional conflicts. Among his most discussed ideas is the 8-State Solution, or as he quickly clarifies, the “8 Emirates Solution.” During our conversation, he provided an in-depth explanation of the concept, grounded in his extensive experience and understanding of Middle Eastern geopolitics and sociology. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Trump’s Cabinet and Netanyahu’s Coalition

Both leaders, though governing vastly different nations, seem to have embraced a strategy of relying on polarizing figures to solidify their political power.  For me, as someone with deep ties to both countries, this parallel is unsettling. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

SDSO Guest Conductor Elena Schwartz Shows Command Over Different Musical Styles

With precise gestures and total command, guest conductor, Elena Schwarz led the San Diego Symphony Sunday, Nov. 17, in a concert that included contemporary music in the first half and a familiar, beloved symphony after intermission. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Matzo Chronicles: My Fountain of Youth … Time with Young People

With apologies to Ponce de Leon and plastic surgeons, I have discovered the real Fountain of Youth. It’s spending time with young people. I made this fortuitous discovery just the other day as I peered into the glowing, unlined face of a student I was working with. Actually two things hit me. The first was that I was 50 years her senior! Five-zero. A half a century. Yikes! [Karen Galatz]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israeli Scholar Explains Religious Conflicts Between Jews and Muslims

Kedar emphasized that Islam views Judaism as having been nullified twice—first by Christianity and then by Islam itself. This ideological framework, Kedar argued, underpins much of the hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people in the Middle East today. According to this belief, the existence of Jews with their own land, military, and rights is an incomprehensible anomaly to the Islamic world. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Jewish Citizen: ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant Prompt Strong Reactions

Jewish communal reactions came fast and furious on Thursday to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on suspicion of war crimes. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Campaign Begins in S.D.’s Jewish Community to Generate Awareness of Sex Abuse

Leaders of Za’akah, a New York-based organization fighting sexual abuse in Jewish communities, are working with a pair of San Diego County residents–Alex Kaufman, a Rancho Santa Fe attorney, and Anne Arenson-Winter, a La Jolla psychologist–to organize a local campaign. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Standing Together Through It All

Then there are the times when you are trying to get into a parking garage and the pro-Palestinians surrounding your vehicle are bashing their fists on your car doors, banging on your car window, chopping huge protest signs on your hood, and then laying it on your windshield so you cannot see to drive forward. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Israeli Tells of Rallying Jews in New York and New Jersey Despite Pro-Palestinian Protests

I received a phone call from the president of the Young Israel of Staten Island, who informed me that Palestinian supporters planned to demonstrate outside the shul during our event. When I offered to cancel, he firmly declined and explained that the shul’s leadership decided to run a gathering to “express our unwavering support for Israel and our gratitude to the United States.” [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA