Israel

Jewish Biography: David Hofstein, an Executed Soviet Poet

Hofstein wrote poetry from the age of nine in Hebrew, later also in Russian and Ukrainian, from 1909 in Yiddish. His first poems and essays were published in 1917 in Yiddish in a Kiev newspaper. Hofstein perceived the October Revolution of the Bolsheviks as the realization of biblical ideals of justice, as the deliverance of Jews from national oppression. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An Animal Lover’s Joy in Gardening

Freckles, my angora rabbit, enjoys the cilantro, parsley and mint I have planted. I just wonder if the wild critters will enjoy it more since I do notice bite marks and my plants not producing as much. But I am always happy to feed the possums, skunks and wild rabbits that take a nibble and then go on their way. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Western Jewish Studies Association Honors Laurie Baron

Professor Lawrence (Laurie) Baron has been its President for every one of those 30 years.  As he puts it, “The WJSA doesn’t have term limits, only life sentences.” If put to a vote, conference participants would have rejected Laurie’s contention that, “No one over 77 should be president of anything.” [Alan Levenson]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Purim Ends; Passover Now in Sight

I dread the chometz cleaning but with the Spring season almost here and longer days of sunlight, it makes it less stressful. Not only getting chometz put away but also going through drawers and making everyone throw out socks with holes and shirts with stains. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

OpEd: The Case Against Mahmoud Khalil

There are credible signs that Trump is doing right to investigate Khalil, who has morphed into an Arab superstar since he was arrested on March 8 at his Upper Manhattan apartment. It is part of Trump’s mission to deport foreigners who participate in anti-Israel activities. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Complaint Filed Against UC Berkeley Alleging Failure to Protect Jewish Student

The complaint alleges that masked pro-Hamas aggressors assaulted an identifiably Jewish student during a pro-Hamas protest on campus on October 16, 2023, and that a year later, the same student faced another antisemitic attack, this time at a protest organized by Students for Justice in Palestine. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release, USA

Non-Profit Organization Challenges CAIR-California’s Suitability to Receive Federal Refugee Funds

A San Francisco-based nonprofit organization, the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN), has filed a letter of objection with the U.S. Department of Justice challenging the Council of American Islamic Relations-California as an agency qualified to help Afghan refugees to settle in the United States. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Heavy Turnout in First Week of Zionist Election

With 53,213 votes coming in during the first week of the 2025 election (March 10th-16th), up 122% from the first week of voting in 2020, this year’s election is firmly on pace to shatter the prior record of 123,575 votes. By comparison, there were 23,938 votes cast in the first week of the 2020 election, and roughly 7,639 in the first week of voting in 2015. (Press Release)

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International, Israel, Press Release, USA

‘Egypt, A Love Song’ Tells the Story of Marriage between a Jew and a Muslim

The Israeli documentary Egypt, A Love Song tells the story of Souad Zaki, a Jewish chanteuse who was the star of concert halls and movies in Egypt before and after the establishment of the State of Israel.  Her husband, Mohamed el Akkad, was a Muslim musician, hyped as the King of the Qanun, and their son, Moshe, who grew up to be a psychologist. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast