Shahar Masori

‘Sallah Shabati’: A Story of Satire, Stereotypes, and My Family’s Reality

Watching Sallah Shabati at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival at the Lawrence Familiy JCC — accompanied by Professor Laurie Baron’s insightful historical context — left me reflecting deeply not only on the film’s satirical brilliance but also on how it portrays Mizrahi immigrants, particularly those from Yemen. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

An Israeli-American Perspective: Trump’s Cabinet and Netanyahu’s Coalition

Both leaders, though governing vastly different nations, seem to have embraced a strategy of relying on polarizing figures to solidify their political power.  For me, as someone with deep ties to both countries, this parallel is unsettling. [Shahar Masori]

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

An Israeli-American Perspective: Trump vs. Harris through Two Different Lenses

For Israelis, the U.S. presidential election isn’t just a distant spectacle – it’s a contest with stakes that feel close to home.  This year, Israelis and Americans are both watching the election with equal intensity but different perspectives on the two major candidates: Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. [Shahar Masori]

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

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]

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

An Israeli-American Perspective: High Holidays There and Here

You could feel it in the air as the days of Elul led up to Rosh Hashanah, and as Yom Kippur approached, the entire country seemed to shift into a different gear. The streets got quieter, the radio stations started playing more reflective tunes, and even the non-observant friends and neighbors seemed to move with a sense of introspection. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Being in the Majority vs. the Minority

There’s something special about growing up in Israel that’s hard to explain to people who didn’t experience it. It’s not just about the food, the language, or the landscape—it’s this quiet understanding that you’re part of the majority. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: The Changing Structures of Families

Family looks very different, doesn’t it? Whether I look around in Israel or here in the U.S., I see how family dynamics have evolved. And what fascinates me most is how adaptable we are as humans to these changes. The definition of family has expanded far beyond what we grew up with. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Comparing Education Systems

From a young age, there is an emphasis on critical thinking and debate, perhaps reflecting Israel’s diverse society and its focus on security and civic responsibility. The famous Israeli chutzpah starts in the classroom, where students are encouraged to question, challenge, and engage in lively discussions with their teachers. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An Israeli-American Perspective: Religious Diversity in Israel and the US

Growing up, my religious world consisted of traditional Judaism. Israel was the holy land of the Jewish people, a fact that seemed as unchangeable as the hills themselves. But my understanding of this began to shift during a visit to Jerusalem when I was just six years old. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA