Staff and Bylined Contributors

U.S.-Israel-Gaza Roundup: Sunday, March 3, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris called for an immediate 6-week ceasefire in Gaza during an appearance in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday.  In Tucson, Arizona, protesters interrupted a speech by First Lady Jill Biden during a stop on her “Women for Biden-Harris” tour.  Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war cabinet, arrived in Washington for meetings on Monday with Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. [SDJW Roundup]

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California, Israel, Middle East, Nordot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘How I Learned To Drive’ at Backyard Renaissance Theater 

The show is heavy, though there are moments of comic relief and levity.  Throughout the performance driving instructions are used to break up the play and introduce different periods in Li’l Bit’s life.  For example, before a flashback sequence the “Greek chorus” opens the sequence by talking about throwing it into reverse. [Sandi Masori]

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

Aesop’s Fables Through a Jewish Lens

Dr. Samuel, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California, translates the fables in a very readable manner that captures our interest and curiosity. He highlights the messages in each Tale and includes the parallel teachings in Jewish wisdom, including quotes from a vast collection of Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers, ancient and modern. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Arthur Kornberg

From 1953 to 1959 he served as head of the microbiology department at Washington University in St. Louis, isolating the first DNA polymerizing enzyme, now known as DNA polymerase I, with the help of his biochemist wife Sylvy Ruth Levy, whom he had married in 1943. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1957, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1959. [SDJW staff]

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

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats

“In the 1970s, a weir – a small dam – was built across the mouth and at that time it was for flood control. But after a while the water quality got really bad because it trapped all the river runoff in the lagoon, rather than having tides come in and flushing it out. By virtue of being fresh water – because the weir blocked the salt of the ocean from coming in – it became a great place for cattails to flourish and take over. “[Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: American Jewish Committee Praises Mayor Todd Gloria

During these troubling times, Mayor Gloria has been a steadfast friend to the Jewish community of San Diego, having spoken out against Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack against Israel and against antisemitism here at home. We must show the mayor that we deeply appreciate his efforts and stand with him, just as he has stood with us.” [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Embracing Time and 59

Tomorrow, March 3rd, I turn 59. It is mostly significant because it is the eve of 60. Now that’s a wow number. Me? 60? But, I’m not there yet. I am grateful for every year around the sun, despite the larger numbers. It is a gift we are not all blessed to receive. And, each year feels increasingly precious as I am equally aware that this gift of aging could be taken from me at any moment. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

An ‘Escape’ to Tel Aviv

But all Israelis, and not just Jewish citizens, feel the pressure that comes from seeing, hearing, and reading about the daily casualties and the damage being done to our society, financially and socially. So, as a diversion, Michal planned a day trip to Tel Aviv to take our minds off of the situation and to enjoy several hours away from tv, newspapers, and social media. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Moe Berg

In 1934, he joined a group of baseball All-Stars including Ruth, Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Lefty Gomez to play against a Japanese all-star team. Berg was not nearly as good a player as his colleagues, but spoke some Japanese and was invited to address the legislature. On a visit to Saint Luke’s Hospital, he went to the roof and filmed the city and port with his movie camera. This film was later turned over to American intelligence for use in bombing raids. [SDJW staff]

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International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mexico City Jews Not Just Affiliated; they Are Part of a Kehilla

Preserving ethnic traditions from Damascus, Aleppo, Eastern Europe, Turkey and other former centers of Jewish life around the world is at the heart of these distinct communities. “Affiliation” does not do their model justice; you are not just affiliated with a synagogue or a school in Mexico, you are part of a true kehillah, a community – complete with schools, sports, financial support, social infrastructure, and more; one where your parents and grandparents likely belonged as well. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual”

In Sacramento, where the family lived for many years before settling in San Diego, they supported three congregations –one Conservative, another modern Orthodox, and the third Chabad.  Benjamin attended the community’s  Shalom School, which served Jewish children of various denominations from kindergarten through 5th grade. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors