Staff and Bylined Contributors

Suicide or Murder? Novel Probes Death of Fictional Holocaust Survivor and Scholar

Was he, as some commentators suggested at the time, Hitler’s 6,000,001st victim, overcome by Holocaust-caused PTSD?  Or, was it something related to his contemporary life in Israel? For that matter, was it really a suicide? [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Nobody Wants This’ Trades in Stereotypes of Jewish Women

Bina Roklov, her daughter-in-law Miriam, Miriam’s friends, and Rebecca the ex-girlfriend, are all portrayed in stereotypes and tropes of Jewish women as toxic: the overbearing mother, manipulative, materialistic and status-conscious, dishonest, secretive, a religious hypocrite, nagging and critical. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

It’s Kol Nidre Night with Yom Kippur Day on Saturday

Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Rabbi Hanan Leberman reminds congregants that tonight is the big night, not referring to the San Diego Padres vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the National League Divisional Playoffs, But it is Kol Nidre night. There will be a seat for you but sorry, no hot dogs. Kol Nidre service at 5:45 p.m., Friday, Oct.11 and Yom Kippur Day Service at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct.12 with Ne’ilah at 5:45 p.m. and Break the Fast at 7 p.m. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

S.D. Jewish Federation Strengthens Ties with Grieving Sha’ar Hanegev

Where else but in Israel do you get in a cab only to hear a beautiful version of Unetaneh Tokef on the radio? Where else but in Israel does your airline pilot welcome you upon landing with a Chag Sameach, Shanah Tovah and G’mar Chatimah Tovah?  [Heidi Gantwerk]

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

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]

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

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