As December unfolds, the spirit of giving glows warmly around us. This is a time to embody the word hineni – “here I am” – and to bring light and safety to our community. [Jewish Federation of San Diego]
Jewish Federation of San Diego got into the Chanukah spirit by meeting up for the “8 Crazy Flights of Chanukah” Wednesday evening, Dec. 18 at Bivouac Cider Works and Adventure Lodge in North Park. [Cailin Acosta]
Federation Kickstarts Chanukah with 8 Crazy Flights of Cider Tastings Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food
Yosef received a life-changing lesson about purpose and focus. When Yosef was wandering, searching for his brothers, the Angel Gavriel appeared and asked him a powerfully insightful and transformative question: “Mah Tevakesh?” – “What are you seeking?” Read and repeat that to yourself. “Mah Tevakesh?” – “What are you seeking?” Do you know? [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Parsha Vayeishev: ‘What Are You Seeking?’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Boxes of Chanukah candles – check; chanukiyot cleaned and ready – check; oil, potatoes, sour cream, applesauce bought and ready – check. Phew, getting everything ready for the Eight Crazy Nights is a tough job, but someone has to do it, and in this house that someone is ME. [Cailin Acosta]
We Prepare for Chanukah Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Videos
Ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim) who decide to leave the community and disaffiliate are at a stressful crossroads in their life. Many leave close-knit communities for an initially lonely path in a world they may not be very familiar with. One of the new aspects of that life may be social media. Studies show that less than 20% of ultra-Orthodox individuals in Israel are exposed to social media. [Press Release]
How Haredim Cope with Loneliness after They Break Away Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education
Many UAP organizations have formed since the December 2017 publication of a groundbreaking New York Times article exposing a UAP program at the Pentagon (co-authored by a Jewish journalist), and I have been fortunate to contribute to some of them. It has been surprising to meet so many fellow Jews who contribute to these same UAP organizations, sharing a passion for the topic as well as observance of the Jewish religion. Jews are indeed an “over-represented minority” in the UAP field. (Kerry Eskenas Schlossberg)
Many Jews Involved in Search for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
President Joe Biden, at a White House pre-Chanukah party, said, “Next week you’ll light the eight candles on your menorahs. My final Chanukah message to you is this: As president, this is to hold onto that hope. Shine your light. Shine the light of optimism. And above all, keep the faith.” [SDJW staff]
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Vows to Keep Fighting Antisemitism Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
The Torah generally reveals little or no information about women. We are told that Jacob had a daughter named Dinah, but there is no more about her than what is mentioned in the drama. It does not tell us that Jacob had other daughters. It only reveals this in Genesis 37:35, where it states, “All his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him (Jacob),” and 46:15, where it states Leah, Jacob’s wife, bore thirty-three children with Jacob among “his sons and daughters.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Comparing Dinah and Joseph Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Author Topperman grew up in Canada, to which her parents had immigrated, after trying out Sweden. She is the product of a mixed Polish family; her mother’s side is Jewish; her father’s side is Catholic. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Polish-Canadian Returns to Her Parents’ Poland Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]
Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
It was a festive occasion, but unfortunately, I did not find any decorations or events that had a Chanukah theme, so I focused on the Winter excitement. I will be mentioning this to the La Mesa Village Association that our holiday was not represented. Many Jewish residents live in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]
La Mesa’s Annual Holiday in the Village Seems to Ignore Chanukah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
This can be a stressful time of the year financially and emotionally for many people. Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” usually sparks a smile of relief and if that person corrects you with the holiday they celebrate, it is okay. Wishing someone a “Happy” something is better than not saying anything in my experience. [Cailin Acosta]
Holiday Greetings! What’s Appropriate to Say? Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
ollege students and youth in their 20’s contributed 31 essays to this anthology. Some essays are descriptive like that of Stanford University student Julia Steinberg’s “Home, Transcendence, and the Land,” in which she describes the feelings of belonging and of being home on her first visit to Israel. Others were proscriptive such as Ashira Boxman’s “To Stand United, We Must Respect Our Different Paths,” and Kivi Franks’ “Stop Overfocusing on Antisemitism.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Young, Committed Jews Offer Their Thoughts on the Future of Our People Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
We arrived at the airport and went straight to the event where I was to deliver my speech. I was on the bus with my suitcases, and of course, I didn’t know Hebrew. On the way, I wrote part of my speech. When I sat at the head table, I was trembling with nerves, and suddenly, I felt someone hug me warmly. To my surprise, it was Golda Meir, the legendary Prime Minister of Israel. Her embrace deeply moved me. [José Galicot]
The Life Journey of a Mexican Jewish Zionist Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA