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

Some Theorize Elijah Was Pinchas Reincarnated

Virtually every Jew—regardless of age—has heard of Elijah, whose presence inspired the “Cup of Elijah” ritual seen at every Passover celebration. Elijah’s name is also evoked in the Havdalah ceremony in a special prayer expressing our hope that Elijah will be the precursor of the Messianic Era. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Some Theorize Elijah Was Pinchas Reincarnated Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Biography: Herbert Marcuse, Anti-Western Revolutionary

Marcuse was born into an assimilated Jewish family. After the Nazis came to power in Germany, he emigrated to Switzerland and then to the United States. From 1940-50 he worked for the Office of Strategic Services and the State Department. Since 1950, Marcuse devoted himself fully to academic teaching as a professor at Columbia, Harvard, Brandeis, and the University of California-San Diego. [Alex Gordon]

Jewish Biography: Herbert Marcuse, Anti-Western Revolutionary Read More »

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

Diverse days in Israel

How were Jews supposed to celebrate Simhat Torah (simcha means joyous) on the anniversary of the massacre? At our synagogue, ordinarily we would go outside and take turns dancing with the Torah scrolls. This year, in a more sedate manner, we stayed inside and made do with circling around the sanctuary. This was done to denote the subdued atmosphere and for safety reasons, because of the daily rocket attacks, mostly from Lebanon, which attack many areas of Israel. [Steve Kramer]

Diverse days in Israel Read More »

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

Comparing Trump to Hitler is Immoral, Misleading, and Potentially Dangerous

Comparing Trump—or any modern figure—to Hitler ignores the unique atrocities committed by Hitler, who orchestrated the genocide of six million Jews and millions of other marginalized people. The Nazi regime’s campaign of systematic extermination is unprecedented and incomparable to any contemporary American political situation. Equating Trump’s actions with Hitler’s dilutes the severity of the Holocaust and risks turning its horrors into mere political rhetoric, disrespecting the memory of those who suffered under the Nazis. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Comparing Trump to Hitler is Immoral, Misleading, and Potentially Dangerous Read More »

Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Suspicious Device, Not a Bomb, Forces Evacuation of International Cottages

Numerous international cottages of Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations were shuttered Saturday, Oct. 26, as police and the FBI investigated a suspicious package that had been hoisted on the flagpole of the House of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison and Miriam Gershenson]

Suspicious Device, Not a Bomb, Forces Evacuation of International Cottages Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Religion, Traditions, and Animals

Recently I was reading that in Halakhah (Jewish law), animals are to be fed before humans. I had to laugh since if I tried to make my coffee before giving my angora rabbit, Freckles, a snack, she is right there with her paws on my legs and letting me know, she comes first. [Cailin Acosta]

Jewish Religion, Traditions, and Animals Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Emanuel Ax Flawlessly Performs Mozart in San Diego Symphony Concert

Ax is a no-nonsense player, performing flawlessly, with elegance and grace. There were no histrionics, no dramatic gestures, there was just honest perfection.  And the orchestra, with reduced strings, one timpani, one flute and pairs of oboes, bassoons, trumpets and horns, provided beautiful, nuanced support under Raphael Payare s direction. [Eileen Wingard]

Emanuel Ax Flawlessly Performs Mozart in San Diego Symphony Concert Read More »

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

An Israeli-American Perspective: The War in Israel and Its Ripple Effect

In Israel, the war is about survival.  In the U.S., it becomes a question of diplomacy, alliances, and public opinion.  And for those of us with a foot in both places, it’s a balancing act between these two realities, one where we are trying to protect what we hold dear and the other where we’re trying to make sense of how it fits into the broader global narrative. [Shahar Masori]

An Israeli-American Perspective: The War in Israel and Its Ripple Effect Read More »

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

Parsha Bereishit: Humans Were Created Last for a Reason

For an answer to grow with, investigate the Talmud, Sanhedrin 38a. Here we are told that if we came first, as some might haughtily believe we “should,” we and our children might erroneously believe that the creation of the world was NOT entirely Hashem’s doing, that somehow, we humans were co-architects, co-authors, of the world with Him. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Parsha Bereishit: Humans Were Created Last for a Reason Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Stories of Oct. 7, 2023 Losses and Resilience at San Diego Event

These stories, spoken with raw emotion and courage, offered a window into the profound loss and resilience of a community forever changed by the tragedy. As voices broke and tears were shed, the room was united not only in grief but also in the hope that these memories would ensure the lives taken would never be forgotten. [Miriam Gershenson]

Stories of Oct. 7, 2023 Losses and Resilience at San Diego Event Read More »

Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA