Jewish History

Jam Sahib, the Maharajah who Protected Polish Jewish Children, Honored in Israel

He was Maharaja of Nawanagar from 1933 to 1966, North Western India. Jam Sahib personally saved over 1,000 Polish refugee children. He supported them. He sheltered them. He loved them.  He opened his own house and funded them himself. He educated them in Polish language, culture, patriotism, and with the help of Polish priests, Catholicism [Jerry Klinger]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Great Songs of the Yiddish Theatre to be Highlighted Sept. 12 at the JCC

As curator and moderator of these programs, I am pleased to have as my guest the outstanding scholar of the Yiddish Theater, Ron Robboy, who will share in the introductions of the 14-selection playlist.  [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Dershowitz Biography Skims Over Some Famous Cases, Concentrates on Trump, Epstein

Dershowitz was involved as a defense and appeals court attorney in so many memorable cases – those that filled our newspapers and nightly television news – that in attempting to enumerate them all, biographer Schmidt could devote only a few pages to any one of them.  This resulted in the biography providing broad coverage of Dershowitz’s life and career but with only limited depth. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Hanukkah Book is a Tribute to a Child’s Imagination

This book is an ode to a child’s imagination. On each of the first seven nights of Hanukkah, a young girl gets a present from her parents. She imagines them to be a dragon that she names Nerry; a rainbow; a treasure chest filled with gold coins and rubies; a merry-go-round, a time-travel machine; rocket boots, and three unicorns. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food

Exhibition Captures Horror of Oct. 7 Nova Music Festival

An exhibit has opened that captures the horror and heartbreak of a day that will forever be etched in the memories of many. The Nova Exhibit, running until October 8, 2024, is a powerful and somber tribute to the Nova festival in Israel, where a day of celebration was shattered by an unspeakable act of violence. [Miriam Gershenson]

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California, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

In Israel, It’s the Year of the Bumper Sticker

Since October 7th, grassroots campaigns have taken place to educate the public about our heroic warriors who died Al Kiddush Hashem protecting our nation. The medium used is the humble bumper sticker. These stickers usually feature the person’s name, photo, date of passing, and a quote or value reflecting their spirit. [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Book Chronicles 40 Diverse Stories from October 7th, 2023

One Day in October by Yair Agmon and Oriya Mevorach is a poignant and powerful memoir that captures the heart-wrenching events of October 7, 2023, in Israel. Through the lens of 40 individual stories, this book delves into the lives of those who survived the massacre, as well as the memories of those who tragically lost their lives on that fateful day. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Local Events Focus on Upcoming Anniversary of Oct. 7 Massacre

As the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 massacre approaches, San Diego’s Jewish community’s programming and thoughts focus on the people of  Southern Israel, in particular those of Sha’ar Hanegev, San Diego’s Sister City which was ravaged in the attacks. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Jewish Farmer Max Yasgur Made the Woodstock Festival Possible

Woodstock, the iconic “Hippie” counter-culture music festival, was celebrated by ~460,000 baby boomers from August 15 to 18, 1969. The “happening” was on the rolling hills of Max Yasgur’s Dairy farm in Bethel, N.Y. It almost never came about. [Jerry Klinger]

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Interview with Olympic Bronze Medalist Sarah Levy

One of my assistant coaches, Zach, is also Jewish, and he played in Rio Olympics. But I know having a Jewish last name that people probably know that I’m Jewish. And I think that in general, younger girls or boys who are Jewish, and are interested in rugby, it just gives a little bit more representation that there is someone who’s Jewish on the team. Just maybe it makes [a young Jewish girl or boy] feel a little more comfortable with thinking like ‘oh, I grew up with a similar upbringing to her, and with similar values.’ So that can inspire others to do the same move from the Jewish community.” [Eli Rubenstein]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

JPAC’s ‘Highest Priority’ Bills Still Alive in California Legislature

Despite fierce opposition, the committee approved our highest priority bills – which address campus antisemitism, expand Holocaust education, and support refugees – along with most of the other bills we’re supporting! [David Bocarsly]

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Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA