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

Visiting the Gaza Envelope

Recently we followed in the footsteps of many Israelis and traveled south to the “Gaza envelope” (the area of Jewish communities adjacent to the border). We were on one of two buses sponsored by the ESRA organization going to the area where 1,269 Israelis (and some others) were killed, thousands were wounded, and 250+ were kidnapped. In addition to our bus there were many other busses and private cars visiting the area. [Steve Kramer]

Visiting the Gaza Envelope Read More »

Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Mike Huckabee

Prior ‍to ‍Mike ‍Huckabee’s ‍2015 ‍trip ‍to ‍Israel, ‍he ‍criticized ‍President ‍Obama ‍for ‍spending ‍“more ‍time ‍berating ‍Israel ‍for ‍building ‍bedrooms ‍for ‍its ‍families ‍than ‍he ‍has ‍spent ‍bothering ‍Iran ‍for ‍building ‍nuclear ‍bombs.” ‍He ‍then ‍went ‍on ‍to ‍draw ‍a ‍contrast ‍between ‍his ‍and ‍Obama’s ‍relationship ‍with ‍Israel, ‍invoking ‍what ‍musician? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Mike Huckabee Read More »

Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Are There Jewish Miracles? Yes, 8 Days of Chanukah Among Them

Do Jews believe in miracles? An article on myjewishlearning.com sparked my interest. Miracles appear throughout Jewish texts, from the splitting of the Red Sea to the bush that burned but was not consumed. [Cailin Acosta]

Are There Jewish Miracles? Yes, 8 Days of Chanukah Among Them Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Jewish Biography: Leonid Solomonovych Pervomaysky, Ukrainian Author

Jewish themes were constantly present in Pervomaysky’s work. In the early “everyday” stories and novels they occupy a leading place. They were in the center of the story of The Promised Land, the stories The Umbrella of Pinchus-Moti (1926), In the Bookbinder’s Room (1928), From the Song of Songs (1935), and One Night of Ilyusha’s Childhood (1937). [Alex Gordon]

Jewish Biography: Leonid Solomonovych Pervomaysky, Ukrainian Author Read More »

Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘That’s The Shul I Don’t Go To?’

Young Israel, Chabad East County, Beth Jacob—each a long-standing wellspring of Torah and inspiration. Together, they could become a beacon of unity, proving that our differences are not barriers but opportunities to strengthen each other. The Torah was given to us as one at Sinai. Let us live that way, too. Let’s do more than sing, “Acheinu Kol Beit Yisroel,” (“Our Brethren, the entire House of Israel”) let’s take visionary action and live this. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

‘That’s The Shul I Don’t Go To?’ Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Jewish Citizen: Chabad Rabbi Slain in the United Arab Emirates

The body of murder victim Chabad Rabbi Zvi Kogan was recovered Sunday in the United Arab Emirates, and that nation’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of three suspects, giving no further details. [Donald H. Harrison]

The Jewish Citizen: Chabad Rabbi Slain in the United Arab Emirates Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Discusses Science and Holiday Treats

“Growing up, both of my grandfathers were engineers, and I was always told we needed more women in all areas of STEM,” Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) told 3rd to 8th grade girls who attended the All-Girls STEM Society meeting at the Mission Valley Branch Library on Saturday, Nov. 23. [Cailin Acosta]

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Discusses Science and Holiday Treats Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Shoah, Israel’s Wars Subjects of Poetry Readings at Lawrence Family JCC

July Galper, a native of Peru and a champion of the poetry of the Peruvian-Jewish Poet, Inge Strusberg, opened the Jewish Poets of the Past program Tuesday evening, November 19, with a biographical sketch of Strusberg, written in the poet’s own words. [Eileen Wingard]

Shoah, Israel’s Wars Subjects of Poetry Readings at Lawrence Family JCC Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Adopt-A-Family Boutique Raises Money for Terror Victims in Israel

Held at the Loma Santa Fe Country Club, the event was buzzing with energy, filled with local vendors, live music, and an outpouring of support for the families impacted by the tragic events of October 7th in Israel. [Miriam Gershenson]

Adopt-A-Family Boutique Raises Money for Terror Victims in Israel Read More »

Albert Kreimerman, Business & Finance, Israel, Lifestyles, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Jewish Citizen: U.S. Congress Members Express Alarm over Turkey Cozying up to Hamas

Eleven Jewish members of Congress are among 39 urging “immediate classified briefings” from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines on the implications of Turkey providing a haven for the leaders of Hamas. [Donald H. Harrison]

The Jewish Citizen: U.S. Congress Members Express Alarm over Turkey Cozying up to Hamas Read More »

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

Mordechai Kedar: West’s Individualism, Secularism clash with Mideast’s Religiosity, Tribalism

Kedar also shed light on the complex alliances and rivalries shaping the region. He highlighted the strained relationship between Iran and its proxies, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, which has been exacerbated by Israel’s recent military successes. He predicted that the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape could shift further after January 20, aligning with potential changes in U.S. administration policies [Miriam Gershenson]

Mordechai Kedar: West’s Individualism, Secularism clash with Mideast’s Religiosity, Tribalism Read More »

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

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]

Rescuing Judaism in a Post-Apocalyptic World Read More »

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]

The Jewish Citizen: Some Trump Cabinet Picks Have Democratic Support Read More »

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]

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

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