Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jerusalemites Have Been Mostly Spared, but They Worry About Israelis Elsewhere

I live just outside Jerusalem, and this central part of Israel has been less subjected to rockets fired by Hamas and Hezbollah, though the missiles from Iran have been directed here. The bottom line is that we have not had to go to our bomb shelter as often as our compatriots in the north and south of the country. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Reminiscences of Jewish History on the Eve of Yom Kippur

One of the obstacles to Jewish self-determination seems to have been a tradition deeply embedded in the people’s self-consciousness: Jews are responsible for each other; a Jew who does a good deed does it for the good of the entire Jewish people, and, on the contrary, a Jew who does a bad deed brings harm to the entire people. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An Israeli-American Perspective: High Holidays There and Here

You could feel it in the air as the days of Elul led up to Rosh Hashanah, and as Yom Kippur approached, the entire country seemed to shift into a different gear. The streets got quieter, the radio stations started playing more reflective tunes, and even the non-observant friends and neighbors seemed to move with a sense of introspection. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

South Pacific Nations Appreciate Israel’s Spirit of Tikkun Olam

Regrettably, the number of countries that consistently vote with Israel in the UN can be counted on two hands. For example, in May 2024, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution favoring Palestine’s bid for full UN membership, with 143 votes in favor, 25 abstentions, and only 9 votes against. The dissenting votes came from the United States, Argentina, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Nauru. [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Pro-Palestinians Hurt Their Cause by Being ‘Annoying and Obnoxious’

Ylana Shechter wrote on Facebook, “Leave it to those ‘annoying and obnoxious’ champions of the Palestinians to intrude on the work of a non-profit group that helps women who struggle with addiction and face domestic violence.” [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jacobs, Wells Clash in 51st C.D. Debate over Israel, Antisemitism, Immigration

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) and her Republican opponent, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, clashed over U.S. Middle Eastern policy, how to respond to antisemitism in America, and U.S immigration policy, among other topics in a lively, sometimes acerbic debate, Tuesday night at Temple Emanu-El. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: UCSD Chapter of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) Improves Campus Climate

For the first time, UCSD has its own chapter of Students Supporting Israel (SSI), a nationwide organization founded in 2012 whose mission is “to be a clear and confident pro-Israel voice on college campuses and to support students in grassroots pro-Israel advocacy.” [Kerry Schlossberg]

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Israel, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Podcast Details a Family’s Fight Against Hereditary Cancer

Before We Go is an eight-episode podcast, starting today, Oct. 8, in which Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, an internist, tells of her father’s Steven’s fight against pancreatic cancer. Meanwhile, she and her sister faced the decision of whether to decrease their chances of suffering a similar fate by having hysterectomies and removal of their breasts. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Primary Trust’ Is a Thoughtful Play About Neuro-Divergence

The very quick version of the plot is that a 38-year- old neuro-diverse Kenneth (Caleb Everhardt) loses the job he’s had at a bookstore for 20 years. He breaks up with his imaginary friend (James Udom) as he starts a new job working at a bank and encounters elements of the real world for the first time.  He befriends a waitress (Rebecca S’manga Frank) at his favorite bar and starts to interact more with real-life people.  [Sandi Masori]

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Sandi Masori, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Review of ‘Reagan: His Life and Legend,’ Part 3

After David Kimche, director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, told U.S. National Security Adviser Bud McFarlane in July 1985 that Iranian “moderates” had expressed a desire to improve relations with the United States and possibly release five American hostages, President Ronald Reagan instructed McFarlane to explore the idea. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Thousands at JCC Mark First Yahrzeit of October 7, 2023 Massacre Victims

It is hard to believe that a year later, the war is still waging and 101 hostages both dead and alive are still living the nightmare in Gaza. The trauma affects Jews all around the world. This was evident at the Lawrence Family JCC lawn where thousands of people gathered to commemorate and unite. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA