Judaism

Book Provides Jewish College Students with Facts about Israel and the Jewish People

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

Passover Observance is Relevant for Current Moment

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

80 Years Ago Today, Buchenwald was Liberated by U.S. Troops

In 2019, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation proposed to the Buchenwald Memorial, the German authorities who ran the Buchenwald Concentration Camp historical site, a memorial honoring the American liberators of the camp.  There was none heretofore. JASHP would pay for it. [Jerry Klinger]

80 Years Ago Today, Buchenwald was Liberated by U.S. Troops Read More »

Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Contemporary Torah, Parsha Tsav: We Are Each Called

While I have always known I was born B’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God), as a child and through college, I saw many rabbis, but did not see anyone on the bima who looked like me. No one female. Definitely no Black female rabbis. Eventually, I learned there were some women rabbis, and in 2009, one African American woman rabbi was ordained in the Reform tradition. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Contemporary Torah, Parsha Tsav: We Are Each Called Read More »

Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

San Diegan Recites His Own Personal Exodus — from Russia!

I don’t consider myself religious, but in our family, celebrating Passover is one of the most important events of the year. Every year, we gather around a festive table to repeat the formulaic sequence of storytelling and symbolism (after all, “Seder” means “order”). [Yakov Naverman]

San Diegan Recites His Own Personal Exodus — from Russia! Read More »

International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Harry Lerner, 93, Publisher of Children’s Books

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

Parsha Tzav: Tending to the Eternal Flame Within

Shabbos HaGadol isn’t just another Shabbos—it’s the Shabbos heartbeat of Pesach’s sacredness, the spark that sets our redemption in motion. It’s called “the Great Shabbos” because it holds within it the power of Shabbos and Yom Tov of Pesach, blending them into something extraordinary. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Parsha Tzav: Tending to the Eternal Flame Within Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Pathetique Symphony Dedicated to the Memory of Lee Amos, the Wife of TICO’s Founding Conductor David Amos

Particularly moving were the passionate melodies in the first violins, the section Lee once led, when the orchestra was first formed, over half a century ago, in the old 54th Street JCC. She was the competent concert master of the fledgling ensemble and she also soloed with them during their early years. [Eileen Wingard]

Pathetique Symphony Dedicated to the Memory of Lee Amos, the Wife of TICO’s Founding Conductor David Amos Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hungarian Jewish Family’s Distinguished Genealogy Traced Back 300 Years

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

Jewish Travel: Yale Strom Recalls First Visit to Jewish Prague. Now, He’s Scheduled to Lead an Ayelet Tour There

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]

Jewish Travel: Yale Strom Recalls First Visit to Jewish Prague. Now, He’s Scheduled to Lead an Ayelet Tour There Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food