California

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

After a Record-Breaking Year in 2023, Israel Bonds Names New Board Chairman

This leadership transition follows a year in which Israel Bonds surpassed $2.7 billion in worldwide investments — a record-breaking total in the organization’s 73-year history and more than doubling its sales goals. Following October 7, the historic groundswell of investments in Israel bonds included purchases from more than 15 U.S. state and municipal governments and institutions. [Press Release]

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Business & Finance, California, Israel, Press Release, USA

OpEd: Ethnic Studies Push Is Well Meaning But Could Prove Divisive

Ethnic studies will be a required course for graduation for all California high school students, starting with the class of 2030, thanks to state Assembly Bill 101. Signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom in October 2021, the bill calls for providing students with a better understanding of the contributions and struggles of four ethnic groups: Native Americans, Latinx Americans, Black Americans and Asian Americans. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Times of San Diego, USA

Israeli Speaker’s Event Violently Disrupted at UC Berkeley

“BWe are outraged at the events that unfolded. Many of our students are hurt and frightened. This is never acceptable behavior and has no place in civil discourse. We are proud of the students who organized the event and remained steadfast and courageous in the face of bullying and threats. Berkeley Hillel steadfastly condemns any acts of antisemitism, vandalism, and violence and remains committed to supporting Jewish students’ ability to fully express their Jewish identity without fear….” [Press Release, Berkeley Hillel]

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

Jewish Defense Groups File Formal Complaint against Berkeley Unified School District for Antisemitism

According to the complaint, Berkeley administrators have ignored parent reports and knowingly allowed its K-12 schools to become hostile environments for Jewish and Israeli students. [Press Release]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Bugsy Siegel

After Siegel relocated to Los Angeles, he subordinated crime boss Jack Dragna and recruited Mickey Cohen as his chief lieutenant in a numbers racket and the creation of a drug trade route from Mexico. Siegel also controlled bookmaking, offshore casinos, and a major prostitution ring. His free-spending ways and high profile led to friendships with some of Hollywood’s best-known stars … [SDJW staff]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Elizabeth Taylor

Taylor said neither Todd nor Fisher were the reason for her conversion, that she had wanted to become Jewish “for a long time” and that there was “comfort and dignity and hope for me in this ancient religion that [has] survived for four thousand years … I feel as if I have been a Jew all my life.”[SDJW staff]

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California, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Prayer Melodies from Tifereth Israel

Kol Tefilah, led by Debbie Mishek, M.D., is a performance group that periodically leads Friday night services at Tifereth Israel Synagogue “with joy, music, intimacy, and an awareness of God’s presence,” according to an announcement for the 6:15 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6:15 p.m., Friday, March 1. [SDJW staff]

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California, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Adam Schiff: ‘Going to continue to defend Israel’s right to defend itself’

By Ryan Torok LOS ANGELES (JNS) — In an address to the nation on Feb. 6, 2020, the day after he was acquitted in what would be his first U.S. Senate impeachment trial, then-president Donald Trump accused Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), “a corrupt politician,” of making up “my statement to the Ukrainian president.” “He brought

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California, Israel, JNS, USA

Confronting the Alarming Rise of Antisemitism in California

My office has been forming responsive actions to address antisemitic literature in communities with high numbers of Jewish families, include the Jewish perspective into DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives, and train local officials on what they can do when hate speech or acts arise in public forums. [Assemblymember Chris Ward]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Schiff, Garvey Prove to Be the Pro-Israel Candidates in California’s Race for U.S. Senate

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey proved themselves the most pro-Israel candidates of the four who debated on NBC and Telemundo television stations Tuesday evening, Feb. 20.  Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee was the most pro-Palestinian, and Democratic Rep. Katie Porter occupied middle ground. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA