Staff and Bylined Contributors

Young, Committed Jews Offer Their Thoughts on the Future of Our People

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]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Life Journey of a Mexican Jewish Zionist

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]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Vayishlach: Jacob’s Intentional Kindness Offers a Lesson for Today

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]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Billings, Montana, Set an Example of Brotherly Love after a Rock was Hurled through a Little Jewish Boy’s Window

When the police chief came to investigate, he concluded that it was done by the same group of neo-Nazis who had been harassing African Americans. Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and gays and lesbians. Previously, a swastika signboard had been nailed to the Beth Aaron Synagogue, and Jewish tombstones had been pushed over in the cemetery. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

OpEd: An Evening with Israeli Journalist Tal Schneider at the Lawrence Family JCC

In Monday evening’s conversation, she explained the social situation on the ground in Israel since the October 2023  Hamas attack on Israel. “For Israelis, there was life before; then there is NOW,” she said. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, News Media, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Ambassador Explains Israel’s Military Action in Syria

Danny Danon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, told Fox Business News that “those guys who are taking over Syria are not peace loving.  You know they are terrorists, most of them, so we are now neutralizing the threat. …” [SDJW staff report]

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International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holiday Suggestions for Interfaith Families

One particular O.C. episode that aired on Dec. 3, 2003, portrayed Seth Cohen (played by Jewish actor Adam Brody) explaining to his friends the made-up holiday he created which allowed him to celebrate Christmas with his Mom and Chanukah with his Dad, coined “Chrismukkah.” That was the first time I had heard that and thought that it was pretty brilliant as I am Jewish and my husband is not. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Anti-Israel Outrages Throughout the English-Speaking World

I understand that protesters approach the issue with various motives. Many of them have genuine concerns that Israel’s attacks killed thousands of Gaza civilians in its response to the Oct. 7, 2023, slaughter in southern Israel. However, anyone who states that antisemitism has “no connection” to divestment is a liar or dreadfully ill-informed. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Fast-Moving Events in Israel and the Middle East Make Heads Spin

Our minds and hearts are still reeling from the events of the last year, starting with the vile attack on kibbutzim and towns in the south by Hamas, the subsequent war in Gaza, political division in Israel and the current trial for corruption of Prime Minister Netanyahu, when we find our northern neighbor and enemy, Syria, in turmoil as a result of the rebel groups’ overthrow of Assad’s murderous regime. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘The Ice Cream Man,’ a Holocaust Short, Screened by Chabad of RSF

A packed crowd attended the San Diego County premiere of The Ice Cream Man hosted by Drs William and Laura Freeman.  Chabad of RSF Rabbi Levi and Rebbetzin Devorah Raskin invited viewers to wonderful delectables followed by ice cream. [Sandy Scheller]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Israel Sets Up ‘Defense Zone’ on Syrian Territory

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced he has instructed the IDF to establish in southern Syria “a defense zone free of weapons and terrorist threats … without a permanent Israeli presence in order to prevent terrorism in Syria from taking root and organizing.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Was Jacob Righteous?

Was Rashi correct in thinking Jacob was righteous? Some might argue that, in many ways, he was like other humans. He had good and bad points. He made mistakes, as we all do. But generally speaking, he was not uniformly righteous. They will say that Jacob’s mistakes are recorded in the Bible to teach us that we must avoid mistakes. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Murder Mystery Secondary to a Fine Portrait of Skid Row

This murder mystery takes place on Chicago’s run down southside, circa 1966. But two murders don’t start the novel, they occur very close to the end. The story begins with a young, idealistic Jewish dentist starting a practice on Skid Row and becoming acclimated to the drunkards and junkies who inhabit the neighborhood. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Elisha Expanded on His Mentor Elijah’s Role as Prophet

Israel Drazin’s Who Was the Prophet Elisha? is a thought-provoking exploration of one of the Bible’s most enigmatic figures. Through a blend of scholarly rigor and accessible analysis, Drazin offers a comprehensive examination of Elisha’s life, ministry, and legacy, presenting new insights into the prophet’s role in biblical narratives. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors