Jewish History

Kemp: Arafat, Abbas Were KGB Agents

Kemp provided a fascinating historical perspective, revealing that both Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas were KGB agents, each assigned ID numbers and code names. He explained how the concept of ‘Palestinians’ was a Soviet creation, with Russia acting as the mastermind behind the movement. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Albert Kreimerman, International, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Holocaust Education Fund Proposed by State Senator Stern

This critical legislation will establish the Holocaust and Genocide Education Grant Program to provide direct allocations to districts to help them establish relevant courses and professional development opportunities around Holocaust and Genocide Education (HGE). [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Founder of Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel Visits San Diego County This Weekend

Dumisani Washington, founder and chief executive officer of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI), will participate in five Jewish communal events in San Diego County from Friday, Feb. 21, through Sunday, Feb. 23.  [SDJW staff report]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jewish Biography: Arnold Schoenberg, Composer and Latter-Day Jew

After the Nazis came to power, Schoenberg emigrated to the United States. On his way there, in 1933, he underwent a rite of conversion to Judaism in a synagogue in Paris. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Plaque Celebrates Historic Indian and Jewish Amity

A remarkable historical plaque was recently presented in the Kalikotta Palace here in Cochin, India. It honored His Highness, Rama Varma Pareekshith Thampuran, the Last Maharaja of Cochin. The brass, 2’x3’ plaque, in English and Hebrew and mounted on rosewood, hangs below the Maharaja’s portrait. [Jerry Klinger]

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

Jewish Caucus in State Capitol Expresses Solidarity with Refugees and Immigrants

“The experience of the Jewish Community, particularly within the United States and California, is rooted in the immigrant story. Many of our families came here as immigrants and refugees fleeing persecution and in search of a better life. We see our stories reflected in the immigrants and refugees of today and we are proud to stand in solidarity with them as they are targeted in this moment of deep vulnerability…”

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California, International, Jewish History, Press Release, USA

Hillel at UC San Diego Takes Pro-Active Steps to Counter Antisemitism

One week after the annual hate-filled apartheid week organized by various student organizations at UC San Diego, pro-Israel students will get to counter-program with “joy” by sponsoring Israel week.  The on-campus celebration will open this May’s observance of Jewish Heritage Month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Kushner Family’s Holocaust Saga Included in ‘Tunnel of Hope’

Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump and one of the architects of the Abraham Accords, may not have ever existed were it not for the daring escape by his grandmother Raya in September 1943 from a forced labor camp run by the Nazis in Novogrudok in today’s Belarus. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Jewish Biography: Richard Wilstätter, Nobel Prize-Winning Chemist

Richard Martin Wilstätter was born in Karlsruhe on August 13, 1872. His father was a cloth merchant. In From My Life Wilstätter writes about his origins: “My forefathers were Jews. They had made their home in Karlsruhe since 1720. […] Rabbis, teachers, and a physician were among my ancestors.” Since childhood, he has been fascinated by the natural sciences: “At the age of twelve, I had decided on chemistry and natural sciences in general.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Here Lived’ Tells of European Memorial Stumbling Stones for Holocaust Victims

Here Lived shown Thursday night, Feb. 6, at the San Diego International Film Festival is a documentary film directed by Jane Wells who follows conceptual artist Gunter Demnig in laying Stolpersteine (stumbling stones) in Holland. [Cailin Acosta]

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

Trump’s Gaza Proposal and ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’

Trump’s suggestion of offering Gazans the choice to temporarily relocate with international support breaks away from old paradigms, much like the child’s truth encouraged those around the emperor to see clearly for the first time. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Internee Number 6’ Relates Story of Her Confinement in Fascist Italy for Being a Jew

The Villa Sorge was a private residence into which 75 women were crowded, speaking a variety of languages, and not all of them Jews. A topic of speculation was who was a spy among their fellow internees, who might be providing sexual favors to their captors in return for preferences, how bad the food was, and how a Jewish internee like herself could reach an understanding with another internee who was a self-described Nazi. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages for Children and Adults

With Tu B’Shvat coming on Feb. 13, I found these coloring pages from Joanne Fink Judaica to be printed and colored. As the weather seems to be a bit dreary with possible rain, I thought a fun indoor activity would be nice to share with you all. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food