4 Paws of Love is a non-profit that takes trained and personable poodles to visit senior residences, memory care facilities, and any place where the residents can benefit from seeing, petting, and talking to a loving poodle. [Mimi Pollack]
Volunteer of the Month: Robin Kaufman, Founder of 4 Paws of Love Read More »
Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
When you’re face-to-face with antisemitism—or any brand of hate—the fury is real. It burns through your gut and shreds at your soul. Every instinct screams to scream back. To curse. To retaliate with the same venom that’s being hurled at you. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
When Hate is Aimed at Us, Let’s Not Respond in Kind Read More »
Antisemitism, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Lahav Shani, the tall, young Israeli conductor of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), came on stage with confident stride and mounted the podium at the Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa for the final program of the IPO’s USA tour. This March 26 concert was preceded by appearances in New York City, Miami, Palm Beach, San Francisco and Los Angeles. [Eileen Wingard]
Prior to dictator Benito Mussolini’s alliance with Adolf Hitler, Italian Jews had the ability to immigrate to the West or even to neighboring Switzerland, which maintained a German-biased neutrality. However, lugging the trunk, which Vigevani nicknamed “The General” was an arduous affair, especially because Vigevani was reluctant to depart his beloved Italy. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘The Trunk’ is a Poignant Story of the Holocaust Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors
It’s a novel based in San Diego County about a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration in which a Mexican-American student is fatally shot while trying to save the life of his Jewish friend. [Donald H. Harrison]
Novel Envisions Trial of a University for Not Protecting Jewish Students Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Every Monday morning, our entire Federation staff sits down for a 30-minute “huddle.” We talk about what’s happening in the world, share joyful simchas and heartbreaking tragedies, reflect on the past week’s “wins,” and brief everyone on what’s coming in the week ahead. [Heidi Gantwerk]
A Busy Week for San Diego’s Jewish Federation Read More »
Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
This narrative bursting with the anticipation of sacred inauguration, abruptly descends into the chilling silence of loss. The joyous celebration, the culmination of meticulous preparation, is shattered by the sudden, devastating demise of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron’s sons – a consuming fire that leaves Aaron speechless. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah, Parsha Shemini: Loss, Grief and Community Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Heavy fighting in Gaza began on Tuesday night for the first time since the end of the ceasefire last month. Most of the new activity, which involved troops on the ground, in the air and on the sea, has taken place in the Rafah area. [Jewish Federation of San Diego roundup]
War in Israel: Update on Current Situation Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Press Release, USA
La Mesa Pizzaworks (kosher pizza establishment) made an announcement they had a new menu item: Cheese pizza with Skittles candy …. April Fools! [Cailin Acosta]
April Fools Reflections Read More »
Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Just days after the New York Dyke March formally banned “Zionist” participants, LGBTQ+ Jews and allies are left asking a painful question: Is there still space for us in the progressive movement we helped build? [Yuval David]
OpEd: Dyke March Discriminated against Jewish LGBTQ Activists Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We were treated to a huge screen and a tiny lecturer who explained to the audience what we were seeing, in a framework of what could be defined as ‘AI for Dummies,’ even though not all those attending should necessarily be described as such. While I don’t regard myself as a dummy, I’m certainly far from understanding what AI is all about. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson[
Getting Up to Speed with Artificial Intelligence Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology
Some Yemeni Jews, quite familiar with the Torah, had memorized Exodus 19:4, which states, “You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings to bring you to Me.” Taking the metaphor literally, they expected giant eagles to carry them to Israel, not airplanes, with which they were wholly unfamiliar. [Donald H. Harrison]
Immigration Drama Follows Jews from Yemen to Israel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Fiction, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWith the opening words of this week’s Torah reading, Vayikra, we hear something profound: “And He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When a person from among you brings a korban to Hashem, from animals—from cattle or from the flock—you shall bring your offering.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Vayikra: Hashem’s Loving Call to Us Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
American Jewish University (AJU) announced on Wednesday, April 2, the launch of ETH 105: American Jewish Ethnic Studies, a free, online college-level course designed to fulfill ethnic studies requirements in California. [Press Release]
American Jewish University Offers Ethnic Studies Course for High Schools Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA