“The media, including The Inquirer, often cite the large number of deaths in Gaza without mentioning the genocidal Hamas’ refusal to disarm there,” they continued. “Antisemitism in this country and abroad swells while the media ignores the struggle of Israelis to maintain the only democratic Jewish state in the world.” (Bruce S. Ticker)
Reform and Conservative Jews may be the best audience for Why Do Jewish?, because they already have a “foot in the door” of Jewish life. They may attend services on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur; they may attend or host a Passover Seder; they may give Chanukah presents or light candles nightly; but being an active member of the Jewish community, identifying their Jewishness as one of their most important attributes – not. (Steve Kramer)
Ralph Lauren (October 14, 1939) is an American fashion designer, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, best known for founding the brand Ralph Lauren, a global multibillion-dollar enterprise. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Ralph Lauren Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
After she was sworn into Congress, Omar and her staff claimed that the 1981 date was a clerical error and that she was actually born in 1982 — entitling her to derivative citizenship. (SDJW staff)
The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 13, 2026 Read More »
International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Pumpkin has a rich and often overlooked history in Sephardic Jewish cuisine. Introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, it was quickly embraced by Jews, who incorporated the versatile vegetable into dishes across the Mediterranean and beyond. (Cailin Acosta)
Holiday pumpkins have been well appreciated by Sephardic Jews Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Katchaturian’s Violin Concerto overflows with Armenian folk influence. After the first movement’s brief orchestral introduction, Katchatryan entered with the percussive excitement of the opening theme, then brought out the lyrical beauty of the second theme. The development included a lovely cadenza, written by the great Soviet-Jewish violinist, David Oistrakh, to whom the concerto was dedicated. After the return of the original themes in the recapitulation, the movement culminated in a virtuosic climax. [Eileen Wingard]
Violinist Katchatryan performs Katchaturian’s Violin Concerto admirably Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“So much of what we call the Great American Songbook—and even the sound of Broadway and Hollywood—was shaped by Jewish composers and lyricists whose families had come to this country looking for opportunity and belonging,” Green observed. [Karen Klein]
Gershwin and the LA Jewish Symphony shine at The Soraya Read More »
California, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Apatow, known for films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, interviews a range of performers, including Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Harold Ramis, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen. The conversations span generations and different styles of comedy, from stand-up and television to film and screenwriting. [Cailin Acosta]
Apatow interviews other comedians about their craft Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
“I recently discovered that I am about twenty-five percent Sephardic Jewish,” she said. “During World War II, that could have been enough to send me to a ghetto or a death camp. Today, it could make me eligible to apply for Israeli citizenship.” {Yakov Nayerman}
The mystery of an old statuette Read More »
International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA, Yakov Nayerman
What if we consciously practiced imagining what could go right, rather than automatically assuming what could go wrong? (Shayna Kaufmann)
What if… something amazing happens? Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Ari Fleischer (October 13, 1960) is an American media consultant and political aide who served as the 23rd White House press secretary, for President George W. Bush, from January 2001 to July 2003. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Ari Fleischer Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaThe Department of Justice confirmed that the search was done with judicial concurrence. It was part of a continuing criminal probe focusing on possible fraud committed by Omar’s late father when the family immigrated to the U.S. The congresswoman was just a girl at the time. (SDJW staff roundup)
The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 12, 2026 Read More »
International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Silberman spent five decades working at the intersection of Jewish community life, youth development, sports, Israel, and camp leadership before stepping into this role. [SDJW staff roundup]
Jewish Recognitions: October 12, 2026 Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
There are heated debates among Israelis over who is right, but at the same time, all parties are contributing to the creation of a new political impasse—even those calling for unity while excluding those who governed the country on October 7, 2023, that is, the current governing coalition. (Alex Gordon)
Israel’s Oct. 27 election may be inconclusive, deadlocked Read More »
Alex Gordon, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors