Jews and people of other faiths gathered at the Federal Building at the intersection of Veteran Avenue and Gayley Avenue Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil in solidarity with the Pittsburgh Jewish community after 11 people were killed in a…
Off Campus
U.S. Representative Brad Sherman on Israel and SJP: Interview by Grayson Peters
Congressman Brad Sherman is a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing California’s 30th Congressional District. Congressman Sherman is Jewish, a member of Encino’s Valley Beth Shalom synagogue, and a strong advocate for Israel. As a Congressman,…
Hear Me Out: Thoughts about Thoughts about Israel and Palestine this Week
photo by Scott Clarkson A cursory glance at your Facebook over the past week might have yielded a stream of posts about the unprovoked Israeli murder of five dozen unarmed peaceful protestors in the Occupied Gaza Strip. Or perhaps you…
Don’t be misinformed by Algemeiner’s latest Jewish college rankings
Breaking news! UCLA was named 22nd worst college for Jewish students in the U.S. That’s what Algemeiner’s list of THE 40 WORST COLLEGES FOR JEWISH STUDENTS IN 2017 (which came out last week) ranked our school. us. In fact, pretty much all…
Jewish Community Should Move Westwood Forward
Last quarter, my colleague Zev Hurwitz argued persuasively for UCLA’s Jewish community to renew its commitment to social justice. Soon, Jewish Bruins will have an opportunity to do just that by voting for the formation of a new North Westwood Neighborhood Council…
Interview with Holocaust Survivor Harry Davids
I had the privilege of sitting down with Harry Davids, a Holocaust survivor. In our conversation, we discussed his life story, his worldview and his relentless optimism. Responses have been edited mildly for clarity. Can you tell me a little…
Jewish Student Advocates Must Own Issues of “The Other”
Jewish students at University of California campuses have always been good at organizing for issues pertaining to the collegiate Jewish experience. For instance, in 2014, UC administrators announced that the system would be shortening the 2014-15 academic year’s winter break…
Whose Tribe is it Anyway?
Throughout history, and even today, outspoken racists and anti-Semites have claimed to be part of the 10 Lost Tribes of Israel. Many have portrayed themselves as members of the true Chosen People, some declaring that the Jews are demonic impostors. …
Young Jewish Democrats caucus in San Diego
Last Saturday afternoon, the California Young Democrats Jewish Caucus convened in the San Diego Convention Center to hold board elections and discuss issues relevant to California’s Jewish Democrats. The meeting, one of many events during the 2018 California Democratic Party…
Israel should do more for non-Jewish refugees
Three years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to accept any Syrian refugees, citing Israel’s “lack of demographic and geographic depth.” Netanyahu characterized such a policy as a threat to the majority Jewish character of Israel, even though pro-refugee…