Jewish History

80th Anniversary of Holocaust Liberation Observed by S.D. Jewish Community

Holocaust survivors, their families, and supporters gathered solemnly at the Jewish Community Center on Sunday to commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. [Sandra Scheller]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Videos

Jewish Biography: Alfred Adler, Individual Psychologist

Adler was a leader, a thinker, and too creative a person to be content with a subordinate role. All his life he suffered in rebellion against his older brother, who was sickly and therefore received special attention from his mother. He wanted to be first. He consistently rejected Freudian analysis, the Oedipus complex and the sexual etiology of neuroses. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Swiss Detective Novel Probes Death of a Hospital Roommate

Hunkeler also enjoys central European history and legends, tales of Charlemagne, William Tell, and how his hometown of Basel defied the central Swiss government in Bern and welcomed Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany.  He also appreciates the flora and fauna of his region. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

March of the Living’s Local Leaders Tell Motivations, Experiences

People have asked us why we joined Jewish Federation of San Diego’s March of the Living mission—and why we agreed to co-chair the trip. For each of us, the motivation was different. [Sonia Israel, Shari Schenk, and Jeff Schindler]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Aaron, Job, and Holocaust Survivors Wrestled with Spiritual Pain

On Yom HaShoah, we pause to remember the millions whose lives were extinguished in the Holocaust, their voices silenced by unimaginable atrocities. Their suffering, and the silence that often followed, echoes the biblical narratives of Aaron and Job … [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Yom HaShoah Remembrance: Miriam Samuel, My Aunt, z”l

Oh, Marijke, that scene is etched in my mind,
As friends turned to foes, oh, how cruel and unkind.
Neighbors swooped in like vultures in flight,
“Let me take this; I’ll claim it,” they’d bite. … {Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Netflix Documentary Tells of 7 Jewish Siblings who Survived Nazi Germany

‘Unbroken’ is based on the true story of the Weber family that escaped Nazi Germany and immigrated to America. The World War II documentary by Beth Lane explores the areas in Germany where her mother’s family lived and re-traces her family’s stories of survival. This documentary is streamed on Netflix as of April 23 in honor of Yom HaShoah. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Yom HaShoah Remembrance: Leo Samuel, My Father, z”l

Religion shaped our lives every single day,
My father was faithful, guiding in his way.
With Rabbi skills, though he chose business,
His heart stayed true, despite the stress. … [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Biography: Isaak Dunayevsky, Soviet Pop Composer

Isaak Dunayevsky, the USSR’s most famous and highly paid pop composer, twice winner of the Stalin Prize, was the most talented and most influential composer of his genre in the Land of the Soviets. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast