AAA-Writers and photographers

Below are the names of writers who are currently active.  For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com

Jewish Federation Teams Up to Present Zoom Seminar on Israel

Jewish Federation of San Diego, Impact Cubed, The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) and Lawrence Family JCC have announced there is still time to register for the Zoom session “Understanding Israel: Current Events and Public Opinion” at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 14. [Cailin Acosta]

Jewish Federation Teams Up to Present Zoom Seminar on Israel Read More »

Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

In Defense of a 25-Year-Old Novel by Elie Wiesel

Many reviewers found Elie Wiesel’s 1999 book The Judges difficult and abandoned it before reaching the end. They enjoyed the dozens of this Nobel Peace Prize winners’ books but dismissed this one, although it is in easy-to-read English, because they could not understand what was happening. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

In Defense of a 25-Year-Old Novel by Elie Wiesel Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined Contributors

Mexican Jewish Leader of Tijuana and San Diego Tells His Humble Origins

Our arrival in Tijuana, a city of twenty thousand inhabitants, was a significant moment in my life. It was August, a hot month that brought a plague of fleas due to the unpaved streets. We embarked on a train journey from Mexico City, where we unfortunately lost all our hard-earned money in Chihuahua. Despite this setback, we were ready to face the challenges ahead. [José Galicot]

Mexican Jewish Leader of Tijuana and San Diego Tells His Humble Origins Read More »

International, Jose Galicot, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Memoir Tells of Russian Immigrant’s Social Climb in New York City

Memoirs are typically written by famous people or by those who survived extraordinary events.  Politicians, movie stars, artists, and diplomats are in the first category.  Soldiers and Holocaust Survivors are in the second.  But who is Anya Gillinson?  How many people outside of New York City have ever heard her name?  What impelled her to write her memoir? [Donald H. Harrison]

Memoir Tells of Russian Immigrant’s Social Climb in New York City Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ ‍does ‍have ‍locations ‍in ‍Israel, ‍but ‍the ‍company ‍has ‍not ‍issued ‍any ‍statements ‍in ‍regard ‍to ‍the ‍Israel-Palestine ‍conflict. ‍What ‍is ‍the ‍story ‍of ‍the ‍Jewish ‍man ‍who ‍started ‍Dunkin’ ‍Donuts?  [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dunkin’ Donuts Read More »

Business & Finance, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

A Short History of Jewish Self-Hatred

The author of the term “new antisemitism” is the American historian and publicist Daniel Pipes. The core of this new antisemitism lies in the idea that Jews are not a historically oppressed people seeking self-preservation, but oppressors: imperialists, colonizers, white exploiters. Antisemitism does not disappear, but only changes forms. Auto-antisemitism, that is, Jew-hatred of Jews, is a much older phenomenon than the new antisemitism described, but it doesn’t disappear either, it just changes forms.   [Alex Gordon]

A Short History of Jewish Self-Hatred Read More »

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

San Diego Teen Returns From Chetz v’Keshet Trip to Israel

I spoke with Hila Baruch, 15, who relocated to San Diego with her family from Israel when she was six. The Carmel Valley teen recently returned from her Chetz v’Keshet (CVK) experience this summer and shared that it was a life-changing, transformative experience. (Barrett Holman Leak)

San Diego Teen Returns From Chetz v’Keshet Trip to Israel Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA, Videos

Becky Guttin’s Trio of Separate Art Exhibits in San Diego and Mexico City

This has been a good year for internationally renowned artist, Becky Guttin. After the pandemic, and the passing of her beloved father, a talented artist in his own right, she has emerged from a period of mourning. She has come out with a bang artistically with three different projects. [Mimi Pollack]

Becky Guttin’s Trio of Separate Art Exhibits in San Diego and Mexico City Read More »

International, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Blood Drives Offer Opportunities to Give of Yourself

Donations of O- blood are at critical levels. I also saw it on the news. Now is the time to boost up my iron intake and supplements and “answer the call”. To me, it is the easiest Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) service I can offer. [Cailin Acosta]

Blood Drives Offer Opportunities to Give of Yourself Read More »

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

Mimi’s Ark: All Breeds and Needs at The Animal Pad

The last dog I met on my visit was a cute little white terrier mix named Alf. He was rescued 15 minutes before he was going to be put down at a shelter in the LA area. They thought nobody would adopt him because of a bad cough. TAP stepped in and brought him to San Diego where he was treated and is now healthy and waiting for his forever home. [Mimi Pollack]

Mimi’s Ark: All Breeds and Needs at The Animal Pad Read More »

California, International, Mimi Pollack, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

An Israeli-American Perspective: Navigating Youth Culture in Both Countries

My early 20s in Florentin, a neighborhood in south Tel Aviv near Jaffa, were truly magical. I was part of a local band, living in the bohemian heart of the city, feeling carefree and immersed in the moment. We were a generation connected by shared experiences, yet separated by the vast cultural currents flowing through our lives. Most of us were fresh out of the IDF, eager to enjoy the freedom we had fought for. [Shahar Masori]

An Israeli-American Perspective: Navigating Youth Culture in Both Countries Read More »

Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Memorial Mixes with Celebration at Jerusalem-San Diego Zoos’ Fete

Like a Jewish wedding, at which celebration is mixed with sad remembrance of the destruction of the Temple (as symbolized by the breaking of a glass under the groom’s foot), so too was this year’s annual luncheon on Wednesday, August 7, celebrating cooperation between the Jerusalem Zoo and the San Diego Zoo tinged with sadness. [Donald H. Harrison]

Memorial Mixes with Celebration at Jerusalem-San Diego Zoos’ Fete Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA