Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israeli President and Viral Video Creator to Share Webinar on Sunday, Aug. 25

“We basically have been dehumanized,” Eitan Chitayat said in a Zoom interview from Tel Aviv. “We have been boiled down to apartheid lovers, to colonialists, to genocide enablers, and this has to stop.  The only way it will stop is if one person at a time in the private sector, in our own individual lives, start saying ‘We’re Jewish,’ or ‘I’m Jewish!’  Let’s start there.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Israeli President and Viral Video Creator to Share Webinar on Sunday, Aug. 25 Read More »

Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Trump and Carville Fan Antisemitic Sentiment

It does not surprise me that pro-Arab advocates compare the Gaza war to Vietnam and downplay Hamas’ outrages. Or that former President Donald J. Trump blames antisemitism for the choice of Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate. What shocks me is Democratic strategist James Carville’s charge that Republicans support Israel because Jews are “whiter” than Arabs. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Trump and Carville Fan Antisemitic Sentiment Read More »

Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Back to College … and the Fight against Campus Antisemitism

As students go back to college next week in San Diego, be mindful of traffic and young adults walking to campuses in the college areas.  Meanwhile, the Israeli American Council (IAC) put together an essential guide for students to combat campus antisemitism. This “cheat sheet” is designed to help students feel stronger and supported as they face these challenges. [Cailin Acosta]

Back to College … and the Fight against Campus Antisemitism Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Always Act with a Goal in Mind

Since childhood, one of my life guides has been “Always act with a goal in mind.” Later, I saw that Friedrich Nietzsche put the idea this way, “Humans need a goal to live,” and Andrew Carnegie wrote, “If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Always Act with a Goal in Mind Read More »

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

An Interview with Olympic Bronze Medalist Sarah Levy

One of my assistant coaches, Zach, is also Jewish, and he played in Rio Olympics. But I know having a Jewish last name that people probably know that I’m Jewish. And I think that in general, younger girls or boys who are Jewish, and are interested in rugby, it just gives a little bit more representation that there is someone who’s Jewish on the team. Just maybe it makes [a young Jewish girl or boy] feel a little more comfortable with thinking like ‘oh, I grew up with a similar upbringing to her, and with similar values.’ So that can inspire others to do the same move from the Jewish community.” [Eli Rubenstein]

An Interview with Olympic Bronze Medalist Sarah Levy Read More »

Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Why Our Fellow Jews May Be More Affectionate on Monday

Monday (August 19) is the minor Jewish holiday Tu B’Av. This holiday is on the 15th day of the month of Av and known as the Jewish Day of Love or slightly compared to Valentines Day in the United States. [Cailin Acosta]

Why Our Fellow Jews May Be More Affectionate on Monday Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Satire: Trump’s Campaign Songs

What was telling is that the song from the movie Titanic implies Trump’s bid for his second term is sinking and that he is drowning like Jack in the film. One wonders what other messages his musical coordinator wants to convey with his selections of music for Trump’s appearances. Here are my predictions. [Laurie Baron]

Satire: Trump’s Campaign Songs Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

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

16 Photographs Inspire 16 Songs at Trinity Theatre Company

This show creates a new understanding of musical theatre, by intentionally exploring composition and dynamics.  Some of the images are abstract, others are extreme close ups of a face or a person. Each composition captures a moment in time and enables the actor and the viewer to decipher a story. [Eva Trieger]

16 Photographs Inspire 16 Songs at Trinity Theatre Company Read More »

Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

SummerFest’s ‘In Loving Memory’ Program Salutes the Late Joan Jacobs

This concert’s featured works were all dedicated to the memory of people dear to their composers. Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello was in memory of his fellow impressionist composer, Debussy;  Arensky’s  Piano Trio was in memory of the great Russian cellist, Karl Davidov; and Faure’s Requiem, was written to be performed at the funeral of his dear friend, Joseph Lesoufaché, an architect. [Eileen Wingard]

SummerFest’s ‘In Loving Memory’ Program Salutes the Late Joan Jacobs Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, 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

Taking Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Advice

While strolling through North Park the other day, I saw a quote from Ruth Bader Ginsburg posted outside Saigon Coffee on the corner of 30th and Lincoln. I thought it would be nice if everyone thought this way. Accept people for their differences, cultures, views and just be good to each other. [Cailin Acosta]

Taking Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Advice Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Growing Up in Two Worlds

Those early years in Israel, from preschool through my early teens, were shaped by a unique blend of independence, community, and a deep connection to our surroundings. The rhythm of our days was set by the school bell and the hum of local life—a far cry from the structured, often insulated, childhoods I would observe later while raising my own kids in the United States. [Shahar Masori]

An Israeli-American Perspective: Growing Up in Two Worlds Read More »

Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA