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What's one thing humankind can do to help heal the world? The wishes cover everything from upholding Jimmy Carter's legacy to cleaning up Mt. Everest. Readers, we'd like to hear your wishes as well.

The brief declaration of martial law in South Korea last month has drawn comparisons to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The attempted power grabs could hold lessons for other democracies.

The Persian Cultural Center and San Diego Central Library present an unforgettable celebration of Hafez, the 14th century Persian poet of love, peacemaking and reconciliation. UCSD world history and cultures librarian, Dr. Farshad Sonboldel will lecture on Hafez and his his enduring appeal, and his central place in the literature of Iran and the rest of the world. Live Persian classical music by Dornob Trio. 700 years after his death, Hafez is the only writer to have a national holiday named after him. The Persian Cultural Center is a non-profit, non-religious and non-political national organization. Our mission is to provide an enriching and welcoming environment for all who seek to strengthen the bonds of community, culture and cross-cultural understanding. Subscribe to our Peyk Magazine published in print and online in both English and Persian. Persian Cultural Center on Facebook / Instagram

Photographer Michael Robinson Chávez visits a city in Ukraine that was partly famous as a site for Russian travelers and intellectuals, but since 2022 has come under Russian attack.

On Wild Card this week, Michelle Buteau opens up advice she was smart to ignore and why getting married is the biggest risk she's ever taken.

NPR's Eric Deggans speaks to Summer Harlow of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas and V Spehar of UnderTheDeskNews about the role of influencers in journalism.

This course is designed for students who wish to improve their conversational skills. Each session will focus on dialogues and discussions in Yiddish, to help students improve their fluency. Students will expand their vocabulary with new phrases and expressions, fine-tune their pronunciation, and gain confidence using Yiddish in diverse situations. Topics will include interests and hobbies, everyday situations, culture and current events. We will use interactive activities like role-playing and debates. Additionally, students will learn Yiddish songs that will deepen their understanding of Ashkenazi culture. When: Sundays 12:30 -1:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 -10:30 pm in Central Europe: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2 Cost: 5 classes for $180 (early bird, if paid before December 22), $200 (regular price, if paid after December 22) Teacher: Julia Koifman Julia Koifman studied Slavic and German Studies in Berlin and Moscow, as well as Yiddish and Jewish Studies in Potsdam, Haifa, and New York. She worked at the Institute for Slavic Studies at Humboldt University and served as a tutor for Yiddish language and literature at the University of Potsdam. Her MA thesis is a comparative analysis of short stories by the Yiddish authors Rokhl Brokhes and Roze Palatnik. Julia also translates Yiddish literature into German and English. Please see our Events Calendar and Other Upcoming Events! Visit: Intermediate - Advanced Yiddish Yiddish Arts and Academics on Instagram and Facebook

The San Diego Housing Commission has distributed more than $1 million to people displaced by the January floods, but millions more dollars still sit unused. In other news, immigration has been a key issue that has been highlighted by both political parties. We hear about what the Presidential election could bring for San Diego County's border region. Plus, the San Diego Central Library kicks off its Swiftie book club Monday, to discover the literary inspirations behind Taylor Swift's songs.

This 5-session course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Yiddish. We will start by learning the alef-beys (Yiddish alphabet) and basic pronunciation. By the end of the course, students will be able to read the letters, introduce themselves, use common greetings, and understand basic vocabulary for everyday situations. Each session will conclude with a new Yiddish song from the rich transnational Yiddish repertoire. Whether you’re learning for personal or professional reasons, this short, engaging introduction will offer a good start for your Yiddish journey. When: Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT / 1:30-p.m. 2:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. -8:30 p.m. in Central Europe: Jan 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb 2 Cost: 5 classes for $180 (early bird, if paid before December 22), $200 (regular price, if paid after December 22) Teacher: Julia Koifman Julia Koifman studied Slavic and German Studies in Berlin and Moscow, as well as Yiddish and Jewish Studies in Potsdam, Haifa, and New York. She worked at the Institute for Slavic Studies at Humboldt University and served as a tutor for Yiddish language and literature at the University of Potsdam. Her MA thesis is a comparative analysis of short stories by the Yiddish authors Rokhl Brokhes and Roze Palatnik. Julia also translates Yiddish literature into German and English. Please see our Events Calendar and Other Upcoming Events! Visit: Yiddish for Absolute Beginners Yiddish Arts and Academics on Instagram and Facebook

Are you passionate about Jewish languages and cultures? Dive into the rich world of the Sephardic Jewish tradition through the Ladino language! Our new Ladino course is your gateway to exploring this beautiful, historic language while immersing yourself in the poetic expressions of Sephardic life. What You’ll Learn: Language Mastery: Build your Ladino vocabulary and grammar skills, enhancing your reading abilities with texts in both Latin alphabet and Hebrew Rashi script. Literary Exploration: Journey through the captivating world of Ladino poetry, from timeless ballads (romansas), religious komplas and folk songs to contemporary works by celebrated poets like Clarisse Nicoidski, Avner Perez, Margalit Matitiahu, Rita Gabbai Simantov, and more. Cultural Insight: Discover the deep cultural and historical context behind each poem, gaining a unique understanding of Sephardic heritage. Rashi Script Practice: In every class, you’ll have 10 to 15 minutes dedicated to reading exercises in the Hebrew Rashi script, helping you develop this specialized skill. Whether you have a basic command of Ladino or a background in Modern Spanish, this course is designed to enrich your knowledge and appreciation of this fascinating language and its poetic traditions. When: Tuesdays, October 29 – December 3, 10-11 a.m. PT. (12-1 p.m. CT, 1-2 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. in the UK, 7 p.m. in Central Europe). Cost: Early bird (available until Tuesday October 15) $210, Regular (after Tuesday October 15) $300 for 6 hourly sessions. Where: on Zoom Teacher: Dr Agnieszka August-Zarębska is an assistant professor in the Taube Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Wrocław, Poland. She has a degree in Spanish Studies, and her current research interests include contemporary Ladino poetry, contemporary literary translations into Ladino, and Sephardic children’s literature. She has also worked on critical editions of early 20th-century Judeo-Spanish literature. Please see our Events Calendar and Other Upcoming Events!