Byliners

Israel Vows to Protect Druze in Syria

As violence escalates in Syria, Israel has announced its readiness to protect the Druze community, a minority group that has found itself caught in the crossfire of the country’s ongoing turmoil. The move highlights Israel’s longstanding ties with the Druze and underscores its concern for regional stability and humanitarian protection. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Actor Guy Pearce is Ill-Informed about Israel and Gaza

When he adorned his suit lapel with a “Free Palestine” pin in early March, I had to wonder if he deserved his nomination for best supporting actor in The Brutalist. Did he need to do any acting to portray an antisemitic industrialist? [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Holocaust, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

An Ethical Will from a Fallen IDF Soldier

Inside was an ethical will written by Staff Sgt. Shachar Fridmann, who was killed in Gaza in action defending the state of Israel. He was only 21 years old. In his own words, “Be Good People. Smile. Strive to make every person you meet smile too. ..”

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Space Exploration

Israel ‍is ‍the ‍smallest ‍country ‍in ‍the ‍world ‍with ‍a ‍space ‍agency. ‍The ‍agency’s ‍goals ‍include ‍building ‍satellite ‍systems ‍for ‍research, ‍developing ‍technologies ‍for ‍space ‍research, ‍and ‍promoting ‍international ‍cooperation ‍in ‍space ‍research ‍and ‍exploration. ‍Among ‍the ‍space ‍programs ‍operating ‍under ‍the ‍ISA ‍auspices ‍is ‍what ‍program ‍which ‍goes ‍by ‍a ‍“Jewish-style” ‍acronym? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food

Jewish Biography: Semyon Semkovsky, Ukrainian Philosopher

The only philosopher in Soviet Russia who spoke in defense of quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity and proved that the new theories do not contradict Marx’s philosophy, was Semyon Semkovsky, Doctor of Philosophy, Academician of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Gem of a Holocaust Novel

Rachael, returning to her barracks from work sorting possessions of murdered new arrivals at Auschwitz, found in the mud a diamond and sapphire engagement ring.  Knowing that the ring would be useless to her, even dangerous if it should be discovered, she nevertheless slipped it into her pocket as a small act of defiance.
[Donald H. Harrison]

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

Lincoln’s Political Evolution Fostered by Frederick Douglass in World Premiere Musical at the La Jolla Playhouse

In 3 Summers of Lincoln, The La Jolla Playhouse is exploring a side of Lincoln (Ivan Hernandez) not usually talked about: his initial hesitancy to end slavery because of the political opposition to the idea, and his progression from a rule-abiding lawyer to a passionate proponent of freedom, consequences be damned. Much of this change comes through his friendship with Frederick Douglass (Quentin Earl Darrington) though they only met in person a handful of times. [Sandi Masori]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Reflections on Turning 60: Being Enough

Then came the “crossing the threshold” ceremony. I was asked to reflect on what I wanted to leave behind in my 50s and what I wanted to welcome into my 60s. The answer came instantly:”enoughness.” I wanted to release the old stories that whispered, “I haven’t done enough,” “I haven’t served enough,” “I haven’t tried hard enough”—all feeding the belief that I am not enough. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors