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

An ‘Escape’ to Tel Aviv

But all Israelis, and not just Jewish citizens, feel the pressure that comes from seeing, hearing, and reading about the daily casualties and the damage being done to our society, financially and socially. So, as a diversion, Michal planned a day trip to Tel Aviv to take our minds off of the situation and to enjoy several hours away from tv, newspapers, and social media. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Mexico City Jews Not Just Affiliated; they Are Part of a Kehilla

Preserving ethnic traditions from Damascus, Aleppo, Eastern Europe, Turkey and other former centers of Jewish life around the world is at the heart of these distinct communities. “Affiliation” does not do their model justice; you are not just affiliated with a synagogue or a school in Mexico, you are part of a true kehillah, a community – complete with schools, sports, financial support, social infrastructure, and more; one where your parents and grandparents likely belonged as well. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual”

In Sacramento, where the family lived for many years before settling in San Diego, they supported three congregations –one Conservative, another modern Orthodox, and the third Chabad.  Benjamin attended the community’s  Shalom School, which served Jewish children of various denominations from kindergarten through 5th grade. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Redwood’ Dramatizes Jewish Concept of ‘Lo tash’chit’

Prior to Jesse climbing the tree, Becca is trying to get her to leave and suddenly says “Lo tash’chit!” At this point my mind said “Wow, that sounded like Hebrew, but no it couldn’t have been.” But in fact it is.  Becca goes on to explain that it’s a Jewish concept of taking care of the trees as well as you take care of yourself. She’s bageling Jesse, assuming that Jesse is Jewish. [Sandi Masori]

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Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

UCSD Faculty Members, Fearing Danger to Jewish Students, Appeal for SJP Event Cancellation

Rachel Millstone, Ed.D, a lecturer in Education Studies at UC San Diego, has called for the cancellation of a planned anti-Israel protest rally  at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, “to prevent hateful, violent acts on the UCSD campus.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

26-Year-Old Biography of George Steiner Worth Reading Again

Errata; an Examined Life: A Life in Ideas by George Steiner; Yale University Press, 1998 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The name of this author arouses reverence in the minds of anyone conscious of the role played by language in the world of culture, literature and ideas. Steiner’s seminal books, After Babel and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Word from Your Federation: Benefits of Immersive Travel Demonstrated During Mission to Mexico City

national findings from RootOne suggest immersive travel to Israel and other global Jewish communities often becomes a catalyst for enduring engagement, understanding, and advocacy within the Jewish community back home. These experiences stand as vital instruments against the forces of isolation and antisemitism, nurturing a resilient and active Jewish identity for generations to come. [Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Federation of San Diego]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

How Poets Are Found for the JCC’s Poetry Programming

The Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Committee prides itself on discovering poetic talent within our community for the featured poets segments. During its sixteen seasons, it has featured the same poet again only once, Zev Bar-Lev, z”l. At one program, he read his Hebrew poems, at the other, his English works. [Eileen Wingard]

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

Hamas Broke the Ceasefire on Oct. 7; Now Its Supporters Want Another One

All this misery started with a cease-fire already in effect between Israel and Hamas, at 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 7. Then terrorists from Gaza swooped across the border and murdered, maimed and raped Israelis, leaving 1,200 corpses behind throughout southern Israel. They seized 240 villagers and soldiers and held them in Gaza; 100 have been released so far. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

What Can We Know About God?

In Exodus 33:18-23, Moses asked God to tell him what God is. Moses requests God: “Please show me your glory,” meaning, “Show me what you are.” God replies that He will make the divine goodness pass before Moses. But He tells Moses that he cannot see God’s face. Moses should stand behind a rock. Then, only after God passes, “You will see my back, but my face will not be seen.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

What Can We Know About God? Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors