U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump told a news conference Monday he had “a really good conversation” with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I think we’re going to be in a good place in the Middle East,” he said. “I think the Middle East will be in a good place. I think actually more difficult is going to be the Russia-Ukraine situation.” [SDJW Staff Report]
Author Topperman grew up in Canada, to which her parents had immigrated, after trying out Sweden. She is the product of a mixed Polish family; her mother’s side is Jewish; her father’s side is Catholic. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Polish-Canadian Returns to Her Parents’ Poland Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Which of the following gifts, designed to be hung on the wall, are offered for sale at Overstock.com in their Hanukkah shopping section? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Hanukkah Shopping Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]
Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAIsrael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the government has appropriated millions of dollars to double the Jewish population of the Golan Heights, which was seized from Syria in the Six-Day War and which Israel subsequently annexed. [SDJW Staff]
Israel Weighs Beefing Up Defenses, Population in Golan Heights Read More »
California, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA
It was a festive occasion, but unfortunately, I did not find any decorations or events that had a Chanukah theme, so I focused on the Winter excitement. I will be mentioning this to the La Mesa Village Association that our holiday was not represented. Many Jewish residents live in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]
La Mesa’s Annual Holiday in the Village Seems to Ignore Chanukah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The December 8 San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s high voltage program under the direction of SDSO Music Director, Raphael Payare, took off with the dazzling opening of Richard Strauss’ tone poem, Don Juan. [Eileen Wingard]
Strauss, Schastakovitch Masterfully Performed by Israeli-Born Pianist Inon Barnatan Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsU.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) delivered a farewell address in the U.S. Senate, in which he has served for 18 years, which included his current role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said tikkun olam and tzedakah collectively have been his North Star of public service. [SDJW staff]
Cardin, in Farewell Senate Speech, Recalls His Campaign for Soviet Jews Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
This can be a stressful time of the year financially and emotionally for many people. Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” usually sparks a smile of relief and if that person corrects you with the holiday they celebrate, it is okay. Wishing someone a “Happy” something is better than not saying anything in my experience. [Cailin Acosta]
Holiday Greetings! What’s Appropriate to Say? Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodSeventy-seven Congressional Democrats, including nine Jewish members, wrote to Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, respectively Secretary of State and Defense Secretary, stating that “administrative action must be taken to ensure Israel upholds the assurances it provided in March 2024 to facilitate, and not directly or indirectly obstruct U.S. humanitarian assistance. We remain committed to a negotiated solution that can bring an end to the fighting, free the remaining hostages, surge humanitarian aid, and lay the groundwork to rebuild Gaza with a legitimate Palestinian governing body.” [SDJW staff compilation]
Uncertainty over the Fates of Gaza and Syria Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Not so very long ago
I can still remember when presidents
Upheld the law. … [Laurie Baron]
Satire: UnAmerican Pie Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
ollege students and youth in their 20’s contributed 31 essays to this anthology. Some essays are descriptive like that of Stanford University student Julia Steinberg’s “Home, Transcendence, and the Land,” in which she describes the feelings of belonging and of being home on her first visit to Israel. Others were proscriptive such as Ashira Boxman’s “To Stand United, We Must Respect Our Different Paths,” and Kivi Franks’ “Stop Overfocusing on Antisemitism.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Young, Committed Jews Offer Their Thoughts on the Future of Our People Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We arrived at the airport and went straight to the event where I was to deliver my speech. I was on the bus with my suitcases, and of course, I didn’t know Hebrew. On the way, I wrote part of my speech. When I sat at the head table, I was trembling with nerves, and suddenly, I felt someone hug me warmly. To my surprise, it was Golda Meir, the legendary Prime Minister of Israel. Her embrace deeply moved me. [José Galicot]
The Life Journey of a Mexican Jewish Zionist Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
This week’s Torah reading, Vayishlach, brings us a powerful message of hope, resilience, and transformation. It begins with Jacob’s long-awaited return to the Land of Israel, a journey that marks not just a physical homecoming, but a profound spiritual rebirth. Along the way, Jacob demonstrates courage, wisdom, and foresight—preparing gifts for his brother Esau and thoughtfully dividing his camp, showing his care for his loved ones. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Vayishlach: Jacob’s Intentional Kindness Offers a Lesson for Today Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors