As a pulpit rabbi, I frequently engage with congregants navigating the intricate landscape of identity in America, sometimes hearing the complex sentiment, “I am an American first, a Jew second.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
The Case for ‘Dual Loyalty’ Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Scott Turow (April 12, 1949) is an American author and lawyer. Turow worked as a lawyer for a decade before writing full-time, and has written 13 fiction and three nonfiction books, which have been translated into more than 40 languages and sold more than 30 million copies. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Scott Turow Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
This book is a valuable primer not only for entering college freshmen but also for adults who haven’t kept up on their reading. [Donald H. Harrison]
Book Provides Jewish College Students with Facts about Israel and the Jewish People Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I have been reflecting on the enduring relevance of the Passover holiday, and why the story of the Exodus always seems to meet the current moment. I wish that was not true; that instead the story of Passover felt purely historical. But this year especially, it feels more relevant than ever. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Passover Observance is Relevant for Current Moment Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Ellen Goodman (April 11, 1941) is an American journalist and syndicated columnist. She won a Pulitzer Prize in 1980. She is also a speaker and commentator. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Ellen Goodman Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Lerner leaves behind an enormous legacy in the children’s book publishing industry as the founder of one of the nation’s largest independent publishers. His taste, business sense, loyalty, and of course tenacity have touched the lives of young readers, authors, illustrators, family, and friends across the world. [Press Release]
Harry Lerner, 93, Publisher of Children’s Books Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Author Linda Ambrus Broenniman knew her parents had immigrated after World War II from Hungary and she thought they were both raised Catholic. She didn’t know that her father, Julian Ambrus, was brought up Jewish, nor that her mother, Clara, risked her life to save Jews during the Holocaust. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hungarian Jewish Family’s Distinguished Genealogy Traced Back 300 Years Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Anyone straddling Jewish tradition and pop culture can’t help but notice the striking parallels between Liv-Action Role Playing (LARP) and the rituals of the Passover Seder. [Judith Kagan]
The Passover Seder as Live-Action Role Playing Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
How should we respect all living things? How can we respect other humans when we are anxious about them, even consider some our enemies? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Conquering Anxiety and Respecting Our Enemies Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
One of the most popular travel destinations in Europe is the Czech Republic. In its beautiful capital city, Prague, the most visited tourist attraction is the former Jewish ghetto in the old city. It was in this Jewish ghetto that Rabbi Jehudah Loew ben Bezalel (The Maharal) wrote the story “The Golem”, which inspired Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” [Yale Strom]
Liz, the great-aunt of Abigail, Michael, and Amalia, had released a book titled Saving Abigail, which recounts the harrowing and miraculous story of her family’s experience on October 7, 2023—the day of the brutal Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. [Miriam Gershenson]
Author Tells Harrowing Story of 3-Year-Old Israeli Hostage Read More »
Albert Kreimerman, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
His poems were enjoyed by all Soviet children. Marshak’s poetry for children is a world of goodness, fun, fairy tales, original images and ringing, beautiful rhymes. He was an innovator, the creator of energetic, major, fast, inventive, cheerful and witty children’s verse. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Samuel Marshak, Soviet Children’s Writer Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In this book, a compilation of his weekly Torah insights, he rebuts the Christian missionaries who say that God replaced Judaism with Christianity. He argues that their “proofs” of the divinity of Jesus either misinterpret Jewish Scripture or intentionally distort it. [Donald H. Harrison]
Citing Biblical Verses to Counter Arguments of Christian Missionaries Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
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