News Sources

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Yitzhak Rabin

In 1992, Rabin unseated Peres as the Labor party leader, leading to his second term as prime minister. In 1993, Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat exchanged letters of recognition, with Arafat renouncing violence. Encouraged by President Bill Clinton, Rabin had a historic handshake with Arafat at the White House in 1993. The following year, Rabin signed a peace treaty with Jordan. Along with Arafat and Peres, Rabin was awarded the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize. [SDJW staff]

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Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

26-Year-Old Biography of George Steiner Worth Reading Again

Errata; an Examined Life: A Life in Ideas by George Steiner; Yale University Press, 1998 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The name of this author arouses reverence in the minds of anyone conscious of the role played by language in the world of culture, literature and ideas. Steiner’s seminal books, After Babel and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Congresswoman Accuses Israel of Conducting a War Against Civilians

“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s dishonesty—his broken promises to use precision strikes to protect civilians and his false claims that safe zones have been created and enforced—is unacceptable,” she stated. “My heart breaks for Gazans, the suffering of innocent civilians—so many of them children—the devastation and loss of life is unacceptable.” [JNS.org]

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Israel, JNS, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Helping Israeli Hostages and Protecting the Local Jewish Community

The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, the Leichtag Foundation, and Impact Cubed have put together a webinar for 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, to consider the situation of the slain Israelis and hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘The Zone of Interest’ Has Its American Film Cousins

The greatest boon in engaging in genocide for Führer, Hausfrau, and commoner is getting other people’s stuff. Rudolf Höss accrues and exercises power, earns respect and fear, and steals like an upper-class thief. Meanwhile, Hedwig, his devoted wife and doting mother of five happy and healthy children, embodies the evil banality of SS housewifery. [John E. Finley-Weaver]

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Holocaust, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Dinah Shore

In 1951, she debuted The Dinah Shore Show on NBC television, and in 1956 The Dinah Shore Chevy Show, a variety show that continued through 1961.  She sang with Ella Fitzgerald, Mahalia Jackson, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Pearl Bailey. When Tennessee Ernie Ford appeared on the show, she kiddingly introduced him as Tennessee Ernie Chevrolet. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday

A Word from Your Federation: Benefits of Immersive Travel Demonstrated During Mission to Mexico City

national findings from RootOne suggest immersive travel to Israel and other global Jewish communities often becomes a catalyst for enduring engagement, understanding, and advocacy within the Jewish community back home. These experiences stand as vital instruments against the forces of isolation and antisemitism, nurturing a resilient and active Jewish identity for generations to come. [Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Federation of San Diego]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Republican Jewish Coalition Lauds McConnell’s Pro-Israel Stance upon His Announcement He Will Step Down as Senate Leader

“Senator McConnell’s accomplishments are too numerous to detail, but American Jews are especially appreciative right now for his leadership since Hamas launched its brutal attacks against Israel on October 7.” [Press Release, Republican Jewish Coalition]

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Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, 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

Federation Delineates Its Aid to Sha’ar Hanegev, Israel

This is a very special time for our San Diego Jewish community, as we play host to 130 high school students and 20 staff members from our beloved Israeli sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev. These teens traveled to San Diego for 10 days away from war and the hardships they continue to face in Israel. This trip was the first time many of them have seen each other since being evacuated across Israel. [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA