California

Some La Mesa Residents Oppose City Council’s Ban on Remote Testimony; Ban was Implemented to Curb Hate Speech

East County Magazine recently interviewed La Mesa activists Janet Castaños, PhD, and Gene Carpenter, who raise concerns over La Mesa City Council’s Feb. 27 decision to end remote public comments.  The action came after antisemitic comments were made by several callers at the previous meeting, though the city’s stated reason for ending the public’s ability to call in with comments was that the COVID-19 pandemic is over. [East County Magazine]

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Antisemitism, California, East County Magazine, Miriam Raftery, News Media, USA

Steven Spielberg: ‘The echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate’

Published by Euronews (English) “The echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate.” Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg said these words at a ceremony to honour the USC Shoah Foundation – a non-profit organisation he founded 30 years ago, which documents interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust. The 77-year-old director of Schindler’s List

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jewish Public Affairs Committee Sponsoring 10 Bills in California

David Bocarsly, JPAC executive director, said, his organization “is working with the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and our member organizations to sponsor a package of impactful bills that further antisemitism education, enhance secure infrastructure, and respond to violence and harassment in our schools and throughout our society.” [Press Release, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, Press Release, San Diego County

Irv Elson: Retired Navy Chaplain Advocates for Jewish Service Personnel as Jewish Welfare Board’s Director

Not far inside the main entrance of the 125,000-acre Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the Camp Del Mar headquarters for the storied I Marine Expeditionary Force. There, from 2012 through 2014, Navy Capt. Irv Elson worked as a Force Chaplain on the way to his ultimate assignment in uniform as the Deputy Chaplain of the Marine Corps, the first Jew to achieve that rank. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Ron Hassner: UC Berkeley Has Accepted My Requests for Protection of Students

First, I asked that “all students, even the ones wearing Stars of David, should be free to pass through [Sather Gate] unobstructed. The right of protestors to express their views must be defended. It does not extend to blocking or threatening fellow students.” [Ron Hassner]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Calls for a Gaza Ceasefire

“I support President Biden’s call for an immediate ceasefire as part of a deal to secure desperately needed relief for Gazan civilians and the release of hostages,” he wrote in a letter addressed to California’s Muslim, Palestinian American, and Arab American communities. “I also unequivocally denounce Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel. It is time to work in earnest toward an enduring peace that will furnish the lasting security, autonomy, and freedom that the Palestinians and the Israeli people both deserve.” [CalMatters]

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California, CalMatters, Israel, USA

AMCHA Initiative: UC Faculties Foment Antisemitism; Jews Speak Up at UC Regents Meeting

AMCHA Initiative on Wednesday released a new report which found a staggering increase of 1100% in anti-Zionist advocacy and activism by UC faculty since Oct. 7. The report was sent to the Regents, who are holding their monthly meeting in Los Angeles on Wednesday and Thursday. [Press Release}

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Antisemitism, California, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Deborah E. Lipstadt

She wrote Denying the Holocaust in 1994, later defending herself successfully against a libel suit by author David Irving that brought her name to public attention.  She won the 1994 National Jewish Book Award and an appointment by President Bill Clinton to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Larry Kornit: Cantor in Shul, Social Justice Advocate Outside

Four areas of interest have shaped the life of Cantor Larry Kornit of Congregation Beth Tikvah: Religion, music, politics, and sports. In addition to serving as a spiritual leader of what he described as his Conservative/ Reform/ Eclectic congregation, he also has volunteered as a member of the City of Oceanside’s nine-member Housing Commission.  The commission meets in the City Council chambers the fourth Tuesday of each month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

President Bill Clinton nominated Ginsburg to the Supreme Court in 1993, and the Senate confirmed her on a 96-3 vote, thereby filling the seat that had been vacated upon the retirement of Byron White. She was the first Jewish female justice of the Supreme Court, and eventually became the longest-serving Jewish justice.  When Sandra Day O’Connor retired in 2006, Ginsburg temporarily became the only woman on the nine-member court. [SDJW staff]

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California, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

U.S. Indicts Lyft Driver Who Punched Passenger He Believed to be Jewish

“No one in this country should live in fear because of how they worship or where they come from,” stated U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. “The Justice Department will aggressively prosecute those who perpetrate hate-fueled violence motivated by antisemitism or by bias of any kind.” [JNS]

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Antisemitism, California, JNS, Travel and Food, USA

San Diegan to Develop Programs for Reform Judaism’s Outreach to Underrepresented Groups

The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ),  has announced the hiring of San Diego native Sarah Norton as Assistant Vice President of a new venture within the URJ which makes it possible for more individuals to engage with Judaism on their terms. [Press Release]

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California, Jewish Religion, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA