There is no difference between holding a wedding at Auschwitz and holding a wedding at a slave plantation. Torah is a living word and this week’s Torah portion, Parsha Behar addresses what is happening. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: Celebrations Must Not Be Held in Evil Places Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Each tale dramatizes Israelis’ positive reactions to one of the darkest days in Jewish history, the savage attack upon their land and people on October 7, 2023, and the rape and murder of many people. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Author Documents Heartwarming Israeli Responses to Oct. 7 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Spokespersons for a Christian and Muslim groups issued statements in the wake of the murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim and the wounding of four others. [SDJW staff]
Christian, Islamic Group Leaders Comment on Fatal D.C. Shooting Read More »
Israel, Press Release, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We want to emphasize that there are no known threats to the Jewish community in San Diego at this time. The increased security measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Law Enforcement Steps Up Patrols of Jewish Sites in San Diego County Read More »
Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Toibin has undertaken extensive research into Mann’s life and works while at the same time imaginatively recreating his conversations with members of his large family, as well as delving into the inner recesses of his mind and the way he drew on his experiences in the creative process of writing the books that made him famous. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Fictionalized Account of Thomas Mann’s Life Provides Insights into His Character Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“Sarah and Yaron were stolen from us,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “Moments before they were murdered, they were smiling, laughing, and enjoying an event with colleagues and friends. We are in shock and heartbroken as we attempt to process this immense tragedy.” [Press Release]
Reactions Proliferate to Murder of Israeli Embassy Workers in Washington D.C. Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Press Release, USA
Kristi Noem has floated the idea of producing a reality show called “The Americans” in which immigrants compete for the prize of being granted a fast-track path to citizenship. Only Afrikaners and white Australians and Europeans will be eligible to participate. Trump plans to follow up “The Americans” with these other political game shows. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Political Game Shows Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
A clause in U.S. House Resolution 409, Recognizing the Nakba and Palestinian Refugees’ Rights, urges Congress to “reject bigoted efforts to question, dismiss, or otherwise deny the existence of Palestinians and their humanity.” [Bruce S. Ticker]
Tlaib Vilifies Israel in Resolution to Recognize the Nakba Read More »
Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The State of California agreed in federal court on Monday, May 19, to stop excluding Jewish schools from special education funding that helps children with disabilities. [Press Release]
Disabled Jewish Children to Receive State Support to Attend Orthodox Schools Read More »
California, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Another prominent Jewish prisoner at Alcatraz was Meyer Harris “Mickey” Cohen, whose parents had immigrated to Los Angeles from Kiev. Before he was 10 years old, Cohen was sent to Reform School for petty theft and shoplifting. He continued his criminal activities, working with Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel among others. Among his criminal activities were bookmaking, tax evasion, and a number of violent crimes. He went to Alcatraz in 1961 for tax evasion, where he was the only prisoner there who was ever released on bail, with his bond signed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. What else is true of Mickey Cohen? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Alcatraz Read More »
California, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
More than 300 people attended a gala Sunday night, May 18, honoring the legacies of Rabbi Simcha Weiser and his late wife Betty, respectively the former headmaster of San Diego Hebrew Day School and the developer of the school’s Judaic program especially for girls. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hebrew Day School Gala Fetes Weisers; Quizzes Aharoni Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA
The offspring of a Jewish family was ashamed of the wealth of his family and the Jewish way of life. At the 5th Moscow Gymnasium, where he studied with the future poet Boris Pasternak, Nobel Prize winner in literature, and the future famous writer Ilya Ehrenburg, 15-year-old Gregory told his fellow students that he was a Marxist. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Gregory Sokolnikov, First Soviet Finance Minister Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The project’s goal is to plant 1.5 million Daffodils in memory of the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust. Seeing the flowers anew every spring reminds us that innocent children continue to be victimized by adult hatred, ignorance, and prejudice globally. [Jerry Klinger]
Perennial Daffodils Memorialize 1.5 Million Children Victims in Holocaust Read More »
Holocaust, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Lag B’Omer occurred on the 33rd day of counting the Omer, and many celebrated this occasion with bonfires and barbecue items like hot dogs, hamburgers, and s’mores. [Cailin Acosta]
Following Lag B’Omer, Shabbat, Shavuot Observances to Occupy S.D. Jewish Community Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors