Zionist professionals teach others to become forward-looking professionals

Our purpose cannot be limited to creating meaningful experiences or strengthening our own institution. We must also foster the relationships, confidence, and sense of shared responsibility that enable people to shape Jewish life for themselves and others. (Betzy Lynch)

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California, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Should Jews celebrate Halloween?

Given its non-Jewish origins, many Jews question whether celebrating Halloween conflicts with Jewish law. Leviticus 18:3 cautions against adopting the customs of other nations, and some rabbinic authorities argue that Halloween’s pagan associations make participation inappropriate. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Firebomber of pro-Israel rally pleads guilty in federal court

With his guilty plea, he admitted to these hate crimes that intentionally targeted victims based on their religion or national origin. In addition to his prior state court sentence of life without parole plus over 2,100 years in prison, he will be sentenced on these federal charges in January 2027. (Jonathan Lev and David Paul]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

ADL, Reed Smith, file civil rights complaint alleging Jewish girl, 14, was subjected to persistent antisemitism in Arizona school

The complaint states that the district knew about the harassment the first time it was reported, yet responded with dismissiveness and delay, rather than promptly and effectively addressing the incidents. Student A’s teacher allegedly told her the slurs were not his problem, and administrators allegedly refused to call her parents because staff were “too busy.” (Press Release)

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA

Israel should permit voting by mail for expatriates

More than a half-million expats are believed to live in America, a great many of them residing in New York and California. Both states have grown more liberal and Democratic in recent decades. If Israeli expats could vote by absentee ballot, wanna bet how that would have affected Tuesday’s election? [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, California, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The right to be a refugee

My parents were orthodox Jews and adhered to the set of ancient laws and customs that characterize Jews all over the world. Such precepts as ‘thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal’ and ‘thou shalt not bear false witness,’ which also form the basis of Western society, came naturally to them, along with ‘love thy neighbor as thyself.’ This mindset and general attitude fitted in well with the wider non-Jewish society that was England at that time, namely, during and after the Second World War. (Dorothea Shefer-Vanson)

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish birthday: Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder (October 29, 1971), is an American actress. Having come to attention playing “quirky” characters in the late 1980s, she achieved success with her more dramatic performances in the 1990s. Ryder’s many accolades include a Golden Globe, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. [Wikipedia]

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Parsha Vayeira: Becoming more fully human

It is easy to become so absorbed in our own responsibilities that we overlook opportunities to help others. Do we make time for someone who is lonely? Listen patiently to a struggling friend? Offer help without waiting to be asked? Abraham reminds us that a meaningful life is measured not only by what we accomplish for ourselves, but also by the care we bring into the lives of others. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Zaidy’s Band’ starts as a family quest but concludes as a survey of Canadian Jewish servicemen’s WWII experiences

For journalist Aron Heller, the search for his grandfather’s World War II history began with a mystery within his own family. Mickey Heller, affectionately known as Zaidy, had served four years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, including two years as a navigator in Bomber Command in Europe. Yet despite his grandson’s curiosity, Mickey rarely spoke about his military service. (Cailin Acosta)

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

A beautiful homecoming and an unexpected encounter

I found I was sitting next to a woman who admitted she was part of the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and related groups who blockaded access to dorms, dining halls and classrooms for Jewish students and anyone who failed to “correctly answer the question “Are you Zionist or anti-Zionist?” (Barrett Holman Leak)

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA