Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Federation’s CEO: ‘Lo Kol B’Seder’ in Israel

Today, I am writing from Sha’ar HaNegev, where just this morning a therapist told me that here, it is still October 7. I can hear Israeli artillery in the background. This morning brought news of four soldiers killed overnight in Gaza. Last night I attended a somber protest focused on the safe return of the hostages. This morning, I attended a meeting of the management team. The sheer number of daunting challenges they are reviewing is overwhelming. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Encouraging Walk in Balboa Park in Support of the Israeli Hostages in Gaza

It was important for me to participate because I’m Israeli and my nation is traumatized. It was important for me to participate because my global Jewish community is in tears. It was important for me to participate because my heart is broken and I’m trying hard to put it back together. It was important for me to participate because I needed to be near people who are experiencing the same. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Picked This Restaurant for its Location; Will Return for its Food

I am constantly on the quest for dream-worthy food.  That is a dish which is so perfectly balanced in all the flavors that after having had it once, it calls to you and you crave it, perhaps even dream about it.  It goes beyond good food, to something that is other-worldly.  And, wow!, the baked pesto eggs is just such a dish.  [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Nurturing Tradition and Inspiring Purpose: The Journey to the LFJCC’s Core Values

The JCC is widely recognized as San Diego’s center for Jewish culture, community, and heritage and a highly sought-after partner for the county’s Jewish (and secular) organizations. We are a hub for Jewish experience and connection with a powerfully realized, extensive, and deeply embedded culture of welcome and engagement for all ages and stages of life; a force for Jewish connection and engagement throughout the region. [Betzy Lynch]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Julius Katz: San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Worker, Former Roadie for Johnny Mathis

Like many interesting things that happened in his life, Julius Katz had no premonition that he would spend 25 years working in various jobs at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) before retiring in 2002 at the age of 65. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Haym Salomon

He became an agent for the French consul and paymaster for the French forces in North America, who had joined the Americans in fighting the British. In 1781, he worked extensively with Robert Morris, superintendent for Finance in the Thirteen Colonies. The money he raised helped George Washington pay the troops in advance of, during, and after the Siege of Yorktown, the final battle of the Revolution. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Surprise! In This Play, JDate Brings Non-Jews Together

There are some really funny moments, like when Diana tries to explain the math of the rebound formula to Marcy, which after some complicated mathematics seems to be “date the wrong guy for six months and then you will find the right one.”  Of course being a romantic comedy things don’t quite work out according to the formula.   [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Emil Jellinek

The new Mercedes racecar was the consistent winner, resulting in increased popularity for the Mercedes line and reflected in the fact that DMG increased the number of its employees from 340 in 1900 to 2,200 in 1904.  In 1902, the company decided to call all its cars Mercedes, registering the name on September 26, ten days after its namesake’s 13th birthday. [SDJW staff]

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Business & Finance, International, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Legislature Advances Penalties for Hate Littering

The Assembly Judiciary Committee has voted 10-1 in favor of legislation by Assemblyman Chris Ward (D-San Diego) to provide penalties of up to $25,000 per instance in civil trials in which a victim proves he or she was adversely impacted by the spreading of hate flyers or other acts intending to intimidate members of religious, racial, ethnic, or LGBTQ+ groups. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Judith A. Resnik

On January 29, 1985, she was selected to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, which had several responsibilities to prepare for, including launching a tracking and data relay satellite, and use of spectrometers to study the tail of Comet Halley.  The mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center one day minus a year later, breaking up a minute later as a result of the failure of an O-ring on the starboard solid rocket booster.  [SDJW staff]

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California, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Oct. 7 Reverberates Locally

Her husband is Omri. Her oldest child was 2 and youngest just 6 months old when Omri was taken hostage. Today her youngest child is 1 year old and she doesn’t know if she will even remember her dad. [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Two More San Diegans Share Impressions of Post-Oct.7 Israel

They created a Relief Center, with Arab and Jewish volunteers working together to distribute food from Arab and Jewish businesses. Daily classes are offered for Jews to learn Arabic and Arabs to learn Hebrew – together. It has been a great experience for all – so much so that Benny Gantz, President Herzog, and the American ambassador all came to see this success story. [Jeremy Pearl, Jewish Community Foundation President and CEO]

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Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A New Superb Haggada in Time for Passover

It includes 15 scholarly, easy-to-read essays, such as “Israel’s Enemies,” “Lincoln Dying on Passover,” “An American Moses,” “An American Joshua,” “The Power of Imagination,” and “America’s Favorite Prophet.” Virtually every page has paintings or drawings, and many famous Jewish and American leaders are mentioned and their teachings narrated. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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