OpEd: The Black Community and Its Zionist Heritage

His overall point was that the Black community in America, which descends from Africa, knows that: Zion is Jerusalem and that since ancient times Zion has been spoken of and written about; that African/Black Americans have always sung about Zion; and that Zion was culturally embedded in Black American culture centuries before the modern state of Israel. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Balak: A Call for a Unified, not Uniform, Jewish Community

Here, we share fences with Conservative, Reform and Orthodox congregations and yet we remain judgmental and distant. How can we bridge these schisms and find harmony? Can we express our beliefs without descending into conflict? Can we maintain love for one another despite passionate disagreements? [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Clifford Odets

Courtesy of Wikipedia Clifford Odets (July 18, 1906 – August 14, 1963) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and actor. In the mid-1930s, he was widely seen as the potential successor to Nobel Prize–winning playwright Eugene O’Neill, as O’Neill began to withdraw from Broadway’s commercial pressures and increasing critical backlash.[2] From January 1935, Odets’s socially relevant dramas were extremely influential,

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Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

OpEd: How NOT to Fight Antisemitism

A veteran pro-Israel organization which spent $14.5 million to oust U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the June 25 Democratic primary displayed excessive wealth and power. Bowman, who is widely viewed as anti-Israel, probably would have lost without the expenditure of $14.5 million to educate voters in New York’s 16th congressional district of his failings. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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

Mixed Israeli-Palestinian Choir Advances on ‘America’s Got Talent’

The Jerusalem Youth Chorus, comprised of Palestinians and Israelis, advanced through the audition phase of America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, July 16.  A video of the chorus’ performance and the reaction of the celebrity judges is seen here [SDJW staff report]

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Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Fundraising: Garvey Gains on Schiff in California U.S. Senate Race

Between April 1 and June 30, the former L.A. Dodgers and San Diego Padres star outraised his Democratic opponent, Rep. Adam Schiff, by more than $1 million, according to the latest campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission on Monday. But Garvey entered July with less cash — $3.3 million in the bank — than Schiff’s $6.5 million, reports show. [Yu Stella Yue, Cal Matters]

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California, CalMatters, Travel and Food, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Hannah Szenes

Courtesy of Wikipedia Hannah Szenes ( July 17, 1921 – November 7, 1944) was a Hungarian Jewish poet and a Special Operations Executive (SOE) member. She was one of 37 Jewish SOE recruits from Mandate Palestine parachuted by the British into Yugoslavia during the Second World War to assist anti-Nazi forces and ultimately in the rescue of Hungarian Jews about to be deported to the German death camp at Auschwitz.

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Take A Clue from Deborah Szekely and Take Care of Yourself

102-year-old, Deborah Szekely of San Diego continues to work at a wellness resort she co-founded in the 1940’s at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California. Szekely shares her longevity tips, including walking every day. [Cailin Acosta]

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

Female Version of ‘The Odd Couple’ at Lamplighters

Lamplighters’ cast is dynamic, spirited and evinces some great chemistry. Olive (Erin Grayce) and Florence (Yvone Nguyen) are beautifully complementary and it is easy to see why they make each other mashugga. Olive is a slob, happy to eat take-out nightly, and enjoys a laid-back approach to life. Newly separated Florence is uptight, a neat freak, and enjoys showcasing her culinary and decorative arts. [Eva Trieger]

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