California

Today’s Jewish Birthday: John Garfield

Following the war, Garfield starred with Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice; and with Joan Crawford in Humoresque.  He took a supporting role in Gentlemen’s Agreement because he wanted to participate in that film’s exposé of antisemitism.  He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1947 for his leading role in Body and Soul. [SDJW staff]

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California, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

U.S.-Israel-Gaza Roundup: Sunday, March 3, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate 6-week ceasefire in Gaza during an appearance in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday.  In Tucson, Arizona, protesters interrupted a speech by First Lady Jill Biden during a stop on her “Women for Biden-Harris” tour.  Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, arrived in Washington for meetings on Monday with Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. [SDJW Roundup]

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California, Israel, Middle East, Nordot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Arthur Kornberg

From 1953 to 1959 he served as head of the microbiology department at Washington University in St. Louis, isolating the first DNA polymerizing enzyme, now known as DNA polymerase I, with the help of his biochemist wife Sylvy Ruth Levy, whom he had married in 1943. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1957, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959. [SDJW staff]

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

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats

“In the 1970s, a weir – a small dam – was built across the mouth and at that time it was for flood control. But after a while the water quality got really bad because it trapped all the river runoff in the lagoon, rather than having tides come in and flushing it out. By virtue of being fresh water – because the weir blocked the salt of the ocean from coming in – it became a great place for cattails to flourish and take over. “[Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Poll Shows Garvey with Tiny Lead over Schiff

By Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — A poll released Friday by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies finds Democrat Adam Schiff and Republican Steve Garvey in a statistical dead heat for Senate as the March 5 primary nears. Garvey, a retired baseball star, was the choice of 27% of likely voters polled, with Schiff,

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California, Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego, USA

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