Wonderful feelings of togetherness and learning at JCC

We shared moments of joy and celebration. We learned together, moved together, laughed together, and showed up for one another. We gathered around Jewish culture, ideas, music, stories, holidays, and traditions. We watched children grow, friendships deepen, families connect, and people of every age find a place to belong. [Liz Nederlander Coden and Hannah Cohen]

Wonderful feelings of togetherness and learning at JCC Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

High Holiday wisdom in poetry and prose

Rav Nahman of Breslov taught: The whole world is a narrow bridge— and the essential thing is not to be afraid. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

High Holiday wisdom in poetry and prose Read More »

Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

It’s a custom to refrain from napping on Rosh Hashanah

Should you take a nap on Rosh Hashanah? It is a praiseworthy custom not to sleep during the day on Rosh Hashanah, as the day is considered the “New Year” and a time for spiritual preparation. The Talmud notes that if one sleeps at the beginning of the year, “his good fortune also sleeps.” [Cailin Acosta]

It’s a custom to refrain from napping on Rosh Hashanah Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JNF-USA and Chabad Hebrew Academy team to honor first responders

During the ceremony, representatives from the two organizations presented the first responders and members of the United States Navy with a certificate featuring Jewish National Fund-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem — the only memorial of its kind outside the United States that lists the names of all those who perished on that infamous day. [Press Release]

JNF-USA and Chabad Hebrew Academy team to honor first responders Read More »

International, Israel, Lifestyles, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Today’s Jewish birthday: Serge Haroche

Serge Haroche (September 11, 1944) is a French physicist who was awarded the 2012 Nobel Prize for Physics jointly with David J. Wineland for “ground-breaking experimental methods that enable measuring and manipulation of individual quantum systems”, a study of the particle of light, the photon. [Wikipedia]

Today’s Jewish birthday: Serge Haroche Read More »

Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Antisemitic conspiracy theories abound around 25th anniversary of 9/11

Conspiratorial claims about 9/11 have significantly evolved in the 25 years since the terror attacks of that day, becoming deeply embedded into a broader extremist and antisemitic worldview, propelled by new technologies and embraced by new generations. [Press Release]

Antisemitic conspiracy theories abound around 25th anniversary of 9/11 Read More »

Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jewish California’s six-bill push reaches the governor

Many of the proposals, while intended to address the Jewish community’s concerns, would also help other groups. Muslim and Hindu families would also benefit from the two calendar proposals. AB 1763 would remove the parental written request and principal approval requirements for religious absences. AB 395 covers scheduling conflicts with holidays including Yom Kippur, Eid and Diwali. [Shor M. Masori]

Jewish California’s six-bill push reaches the governor Read More »

California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

To build our Jewish community, extend an invitation to a stranger

This year, and I hope for the next 90, we want to work toward a San Diego where every Jewish person, and everyone connected to our community, can find a place where they feel seen, valued and heard, and where they can come together with others around a shared purpose. {Heidi Gantwerk]

To build our Jewish community, extend an invitation to a stranger Read More »

Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish birthday: Jared Diamond

Jared Diamond (September 10, 1937) is an American scientist, historian, and author. He has written hundreds of scientific and popular articles and books, most notably Guns, Germs, and Steel (1997), which received multiple awards, including the 1998 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. [Wikipedia]

Today’s Jewish birthday: Jared Diamond Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

It’s an insult calling Judea and Samaria the ‘occupied West Bank’

In my own lifetime parts of Germany have been ceded to Poland and France as a result of wartime gains, and the borders of several countries in Eastern Europe have changed in accordance with military conquest. (Dorothea Shefer-Vanson)

It’s an insult calling Judea and Samaria the ‘occupied West Bank’ Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors