SJ remembers Holocaust victims
By Blaze Dayton STAFF WRITER
International Holocaust Remembrance Day has been observed on Jan. 27 by the United Nations for the past two decades to remind future generations of the largest recorded genocide in history.
In 2005, the United Nations passed a resolution to require its members to honor over 6 million Holocaust victims, including Jewish people and members of other minority groups, according to a webpage from the National WWII Museum of New Orleans.
Victoria Harrison, a Jewish Studies coordinator at San José State who has worked in the department for nearly 20 years, said Jan. 27 was chosen to commemorate the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Auschwitz was one of the Nazis’ most notorious concentration camps, according to a webpage from the Memorial and Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was built by the Germans in 1940 to imprison Polish residents after mass arrests.
“It’s interesting that this day was chosen because it was actually the Soviet Red Army
who marched in to liberate the people, mostly Jews, imprisoned in the death camp on that day,” Harrison said.
On Jan. 27, 1945, the former Soviet Union’s Red Army marched through the snow into the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and liberated its prisoners from Nazi totalitarianism, according to another webpage from the same source.
There
It has been 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, according to a Monday article from CNN.
An estimated 1.1 million people were killed in less than five years at the Auschwitz concentration camp, according to another webpage from the Memorial and Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau according to the Auschwitz-Birkenau
Memorial and Museum.
Jeff Rosen, the District Attorney for Santa Clara County, spoke at a press conference at San José City Hall on Monday.
“It’s a very sad day. I mean, every day, I think about the Holocaust cause every day I think about my family,” Rosen said. “I think that particularly in the last year and a half since Oct. 7, there’s just been an
what the Anti-Defamation League called “anti-Israel” rallies.
“There’s a lot of different ways for young people to learn about the Holocaust, whether it’s classes in university, whether it's museums or whether it’s trips,” Rosen said. “But I think what has to come first, even before any education, is a willingness to learn things.”
Harrison said in April, the
22 AP News article.
Iris Bendahan founded the California Holocaust Awareness and Action Interactive Museum, a mobile museum that provides educational resources on Jewish history and the Holocaust. “There are programs through Jewish Family Services or the Jewish Silicon Valley,” Bendahan said. “The AntiDefamation League has a lot of information out there and you can get booklets about it.”
The California Holocaust Awareness and Action Interactive Museum has shortterm and long-term installation locations that take the viewer on a journey through Holocaust artifacts, videos, slideshows, stories and artwork, according to a webpage from the museum.
Jeff Rosen
Santa Clara County District Attorney
explosion of antisemitism and it saddens me. It angers me, but we have no choice but to fight it and try to save our country.”
A historic spike of anti-Jewish threats has been recorded since Oct. 7, 2023, according to preliminary data released by the Anti-Defamation League on Oct. 6, 2024.
Around 3,000 of those incidents took place during
Jewish Studies Department will host a talk from Steven Zipperstein, who will speak with SJSU’s Greg Tomlinson about a pogrom in Russia that was instrumental in creating the early 20th-century diaspora of Jews from Russia.
Eighty years after the Holocaust, around 245,000 Jewish survivors remain across 90 countries,according to a Jan.
“Film and art often speak most powerfully,” Harrison said. “Memoirs and fiction speak from the emotions of the creator straight through to the emotions of the receiver.”
BLAZE DAYTON | SPARTAN DAILY
Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen speaking during a press conference at San José City Hall on Monday for Holocaus t Remembrance Day.
Council appoints new member
By Israel Archie
Carl Eugene Salas was sworn in as the interim councilmember for District 3 during Tuesday's San José City Council meeting.
Salas is the co-founder and principal of Salas O’Brien, an engineering and technical consulting services firm, according to the company webpage.
“I just want to serve,” Salas said.
“This is a huge opportunity for me to serve my district and I love my district.”
The district’s seat on the council was left vacant because of the incarceration of former councilmember Omar Torres who was arrested for charges of child sex abuse in November 2024 according to a Nov 19. 2024 Spartan Daily article.
During the council meeting, Salas won in a six to four simple majority vote against Director of Advocacy for Racial Justice at San José State University, Jahmal Williams.
San José mayor Matt Mahan casted his vote for Salas, had words of admiration for him after
delivering the news of his victory.
“I have spent more time working with Carl on projects in the community,” Mahan said. “ I have known him as an incredibly pragmatic problem solver who has handled large budgets, managed large teams and made very difficult decisions.”
Like Mahan, San José vice mayor Pam Foley also spoke highly of Salas and explained why she also cast her vote for him.
“He is one of the kindest and most generous people I know,” Foley said. “He and his wife help fund the Christmas tree giveaway every year and have helped out where they can financially with the district.”
greater than it is and I want to leave District 3 with a stable and trusted feeling in three or six months.”
While talking about his experiences in San José, the newly sworn-in councilmember spoke about the importance that the city has had on his life.
money, about power and about influence, but I’ve found that I believe the more you give the more you get,” Salas said. “I’m really looking forward to serving and I’m not looking forward to gaining.”
The process took almost three and a half hours for the council to
article. The candidates for the longterm seat are Gabby ChavezLopez, Philip Dolan, Adam Duran, Matthew Quevedo, Irene Smith, Anthony Tordillos and Tyrone Wade, according to a Jan. 14 article from San José Inside.
We’re all tempted often about money, about power and about influence, but I’ve found that I believe the more you give the more you get. I’m really looking forward to serving and I’m not looking forward to gaining.
Salas, a long-time resident of San José, voiced to the council that he is dedicated to restoring trust back into District 3.
“I’m bringing 50 years of experience both in community and in business,” Salas said. “I really want to make this city even
Correction
On Thursday, January 23, the Spartan Daily published a story titled, “Trump inaugurated; San José responds” in which the number of executive orders Trump signed within the first 72 hours of his presidency was misrepresented.
The candidates went through an interview process where they were asked various questions by different members of the council. During this process, Salas assured the audience that he had pure intentions when it came to gaining this short-term seat.
“We’re all tempted often about
interview and vote for a candidate.
Salas is scheduled to officially hold the seat starting next month, Feb. 4, according to a Jan. 28 article from San José Spotlight.
While Salas holds this seat, the race for the District 3 council will still be going as the election is set for Apr. 8, according to the same
But for now, Salas has a few months to serve the district and fill that empty seat.
“I’m here for two reasons,” Salas said. “Obviously and clearly we need to restore trust in District 3 and have communication at the council level.”
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
On Tuesday afternoon Carl Eugene Salas gets sworn in as city of San José Interim District 3 councilmember at City Hall during t he weekly council meeting.
SCREENSHOT | SPARTAN DAILY
Carl Eugene Salas City of San José Interim District 3 councilmember
Academy leaves Dune in the dust
By Nageena Shinwari STAFF WRITER
“Dune: Part Two” showcased that sequels to a movie, if done correctly, could be blockbusters of their own at the movie theaters.
The sci-fi adventure film did not need to rely on Part One of the series, leaving me in awe, inspired and in high anticipation for the next one.
“Dune: Part Two” dominated at the box office, single-handedly bringing back the reason to watch movies in the cinemas, yet only got 5 Oscar nominations.
Meanwhile, movies such as Emilia Perez snagged 13 nominations overall, and The Brutalist and Wicked followed with 10 nominations each.
I viewed movie theaters as a waste of money, but once I watched Dune: Part Two my mind was blown.
Greig Fraser, the cinematographer for both movies, won an Oscar for cinematography in “Dune: Part One.”
Even though Fraser already won for part one, I believe he one-upped himself with Dune: Part Two.
“Dune: Part Two” showcased beautiful visuals immersing the audience into the scenery, dialogue that left viewers heartbroken, a cast that drew viewers in, and a story that left many inspired.
So, how come it barely got nominated for these highly-regarded categories?
CAMPUS VOICES
Paul Atreides, played
“Dune: Part Two” grossed about $276 million in North America and $419 million internationally according to an Apr. 21, 2024 Variety article. “Dune: Part Two” neared $700 million at the
movie review
“Dune: Part Two” Rating:
Directed by: Denis Villeneuve Starring: Timothée Chalamet Zendaya Genre: Sci-fi/Adventure
Global Box office.
This made it the fifth highest-grossing film of all time. This completely dominated its predecessor “Dune: Part One,” making $407 million in the Global Box office.
The scenes in the sequel were more complex, making us feel for all the characters, good or bad.
We got to learn more about Chani, played by Zendaya, as well as her tribe, the Fremen.
The director of the “Dune” series, Denis Villeneuve, used real landscaping and practical effects, going to dunes in Dubai and Jordan.
The films were about the relationships between humans and nature, which the practical sets emphasize.
I found myself getting
excited each time a new set was shown. The simplicity of the sets was so breathtaking I started imagining myself there.
The big screen helped showcase more of the actors’ emotion in the
Timothée Chalamet didn’t get nominated for Best Actor in his role as Paul Atreides. Instead,he got nominated in that category for his role as Bob Dylan in the movie “A Complete Unknown.”
I viewed movie theaters as a waste of money, but once I watched Dune: Part Two my mind was blown.
movie. “Dune: Part Two” had such a stacked cast that exhibited such amazing acting I thought at least one of them would have gotten a nomination for the movie.
showed his range, and I was able to feel his power radiate onto me through the screen. It had me even more intrigued throughout the movie.
“Dune: Part Two” had an excellent soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, it brought tears to my eyes as the music filled up the room, making me more entertained.
The soundtrack for the second movie was much better than the first one.
This was astounding to me because Chalamet played exceptionally well in the movie.
When Paul Atriedes yelled, “I am Paul Maud’Diab Atriades!” It
The music didn’t just add to the scene but instead heightened the emotions of the scene and left me heavily emotional. Zimmer won Best Original Score for “Dune: Part One,” but when the new movie came out, the academy did not want to nominate the sequel’s spectacular soundtrack, because of the extensive reuse of themes from the first film, according to a Jan. 23, LA Times article. Most know that when it comes to sci-fi movies, the Academy is not very fond of them. Often, they choose movies that are grounded and have realworld issues, according to a Mar. 14, Space article. I learned that movies, especially blockbuster movies such as the “Dune” series, deserve to be watched in the theaters. I encourage everyone to grab a large popcorn and enjoy the movie on the biggest screen possible.
PHOTO FROM WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC.
by Timothée Chalamet (left), clashes swords with Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen (right).
Lying for relationship survival
Maya Benmokhtar CONTRIBUTOR
It was a fun evening out with friends celebrating my special someone’s birthday. I sat next to my partner, who had been nothing but patient, kind, and understanding since the day we met.
Yet, my stomach twisted with guilt. I had told a lie. A small one, perhaps, but a lie nonetheless.
The words had come out of my mouth almost instinctively, a reflex honed over years of walking on eggshells.
My last relationship was with someone toxic, manipulative, and narcissistic. They had a way of twisting the truth and punishing honesty until I learned to filter my words to avoid conflict.
Almost half of all women and men in the U.S. have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Everyone’s experience with domestic violence is different and so is the way we heal and learn from our past mistakes. It was easier to tell them what they wanted to
hear rather than risk their wrath, endless accusations or their skillful emotional manipulation.
Over time, the habit of self-preservation became second nature.
With them, the truth was dangerous.
But at that moment,
I felt a pang of fear, an echo of the past whispering that the truth could ruin everything.
If I admitted a mistake, no matter how small, it was weaponized against me. If I expressed vulnerability, it was exploited. I became someone who wore masks, who calculated every word.
I lied – not out of malice, but out of sheer survival.
Now, sitting across from someone who had done nothing to deserve mistrust, I found myself falling into those old patterns.
I lied about something insignificant –something that possibly couldn’t have mattered had I told the truth.
It’s difficult when you feel trapped by the fear of losing someone youlove, especially when past trauma or toxic relationships weigh heavily on you.
I lied to protect myself or shield him from something painful, thinking it would preserve the relationship.
confused.
repeating the same mistakes, and exposing the vulnerabilities left by my toxic ex-partner.
I didn’t want to burden the person I cared for with my past but perhaps I was afraid he wouldn’t understand.
I hid parts of the truth to avoid pushing them away but now, it feels like the lie has pushed him even further.
I am facing the consequences of my actions – an aching sense of regret and the realization that in trying to protect the relationship, I’ve endangered it.
But in doing so, I created a barrier of mistrust, and now, the fear of losing him has become a reality. The lie was rooted in fear – fear of rejection,
Now, I am left in the painful position of wondering if the damage is irreversible.
Learning from a mistake rooted in my toxic past starts with self-awareness and accountability. Instead of dwelling on the guilt or shame I feel after telling this lie, I can reflect on what led me to the decision and identify the unhealthy patterns I carry from my past.
By recognizing these triggers, I can work on healing and developing better-coping mechanisms.
Every mistake can be made into a learning lesson and is an opportunity for growth, allowing me to break this unhealthy cycle and make choices that align with the person I want to become.
Growth isn't about being perfect – it's about learning and choosing a healthier path moving forward.
I realize that while my past has shaped me, it doesn't have to define me forever.
I left the person I love feeling hurt, betrayed and