California

Gov. Newsom Signs Three Education Bills Sought by Jewish Public Affairs Committee

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Saturday, Sept. 28, that he was signing three of JPAC’s top priority bills into law. These new laws counter campus antisemitism and expand Holocaust and genocide education in K-12 education. This announcement comes just days ahead of the Governor’s September 30th deadline to sign or veto bills. [Press Release]

Gov. Newsom Signs Three Education Bills Sought by Jewish Public Affairs Committee Read More »

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

AMCHA Initiative: Faculty Chapters Spur Campus Antisemitism

A report released Thursday, Sept. 26, highlights the role Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FJP), a nationwide network of over 100 faculty chapters, plays in escalating antisemitic incidents, fomenting chaos and pushing forward the academic boycott [Press Release]

AMCHA Initiative: Faculty Chapters Spur Campus Antisemitism Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Academic Journal Takes Note of San Diego’s Comic-Con

Klickstein’s book tells of Comic-Con’s growth “from an informal gathering of ‘geeks’ into a centerpiece of San Diego’s bustling, gentrified, tourist-trapping downtown area,” Friedmann writes. He goes on to quote one of 50 interviewees quoted in Klickstein’s book, the late Trina Robbins, as explaining why San Diego is the Comic-Con venue. “San Diego’s a great city for a vacation. Much better for a vacation in mid-summer than New York.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Academic Journal Takes Note of San Diego’s Comic-Con Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

SF Bay Area Flash Dancers Put on Pro-Israel Performance in San Diego

“One Tribe/ One Star” cofounders Isa Marcus and Laurence Mechali said they formed their dance group in April to show support for Israel which had been suffering the traumatizing after-effects of the Oct. 7 massacre for a half year. [Donald H. Harrison and Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury]

SF Bay Area Flash Dancers Put on Pro-Israel Performance in San Diego Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Coalition Calls on Gov. Newsom to Sign ‘Stop Hate Littering Act’

Elected officials and Jewish communal leaders on Monday, Sept. 9, asked San Diegans to write to California Gov. Gavin Newsom and urge him to sign Assembly Bill 3024, the Stop Hate Littering Act which had its genesis here in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]

Coalition Calls on Gov. Newsom to Sign ‘Stop Hate Littering Act’ Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Holocaust, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Four Bills to Curb Antisemitism Await Governor Newsom’s Signature

The California Legislative Jewish Caucus announced on Friday that four bills from its 2024 Priority Bill Package have successfully passed the State Legislature. If signed by Governor Newsom, these bills will help protect Jewish students on campus, better educate young people about the Holocaust and modern forms of antisemitism, and address the concerning rise in hate crimes. [Press Release]

Four Bills to Curb Antisemitism Await Governor Newsom’s Signature Read More »

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

Activities Resume Following Labor Day in Schools, Sports and Some Jewish Organizations

Monday was Labor Day and many celebrated by working as little as possible and celebrating the “unofficial end of summer.” Why is it called the “end of summer,” yet summer technically ends Sunday, September 22? [Cailin Acosta]

Activities Resume Following Labor Day in Schools, Sports and Some Jewish Organizations Read More »

Cailin Acosta, California, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Exhibition Captures Horror of Oct. 7 Nova Music Festival

An exhibit has opened that captures the horror and heartbreak of a day that will forever be etched in the memories of many. The Nova Exhibit, running until October 8, 2024, is a powerful and somber tribute to the Nova festival in Israel, where a day of celebration was shattered by an unspeakable act of violence. [Miriam Gershenson]

Exhibition Captures Horror of Oct. 7 Nova Music Festival Read More »

California, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Preparing in Elul for Next Month’s High Holidays

September and the Jewish month of Elul are upon us. Traditionally, the month before the High Holy Days is supposed to be occupied with reflection about the last year and the anticipation of the New Year. [Cailin Acosta]

Preparing in Elul for Next Month’s High Holidays Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

African Art, Jewish Folk Customs Enliven Intercultural Conversation

Two worlds apart but we speak the same language of art.  Olga Worm met artist Bongani Lincoln Khumalo of Cape Town, South Africa, at the Laguna Beach Art-A-Fair Summer Fine Art Festival. Subsequently he came to San Diego County to deliver a piece of art that Worm had purchased. We met at a restaurant in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]

African Art, Jewish Folk Customs Enliven Intercultural Conversation Read More »

Cailin Acosta, California, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JPAC’s ‘Highest Priority’ Bills Still Alive in California Legislature

Despite fierce opposition, the committee approved our highest priority bills – which address campus antisemitism, expand Holocaust education, and support refugees – along with most of the other bills we’re supporting! [David Bocarsly]

JPAC’s ‘Highest Priority’ Bills Still Alive in California Legislature Read More »

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