Judaism

WJC’s Lauder: Hatred Leading to Holocaust Still Rampant Today

The virulent antisemitism that led to the Holocaust is still rampant around the globe today, World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said against the backdrop of Monday’s solemn commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, World Jewish Congress

Holocaust Museums Open in Muslim-Majority Countries

The “For a Righteous Cause” report, published for the fourth year by the Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University (TAU) in recognition of International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Monday, January 27, 2025, highlights an encouraging phenomenon: new exhibitions and museums commemorating the Holocaust and heroism that have opened or are under construction in Muslim countries. [Press Release]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Press Release

Jewish Biography: Edmund Landau, Mathematician Hounded by Nazis

His main areas of research were function theory and analytic number theory. Landau became world famous for his two-volume course Foundations of Analysis (1930), written with impeccable logical rigor. As a professor he enjoyed great success, doctoral students came to him from all over the world. [Alex Gordon]

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

Saving Lives as the World Fell Apart

Streets in Jerusalem and Petach Tikvah bear the name of Paul Gruninger, a Swiss police officer who stood as a beacon of humanity during one of history’s darkest chapters. In 1938, Paul Gruninger chose to defy heartless government policies with acts of extraordinary bravery, saving thousands of Jewish lives as Europe descended into madness. [Gedaliah Borvick]

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Gedaliah Borvick, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The High Cost of Dying in San Diego County

The biggest expenses are the cemetery plots, the vault and opening and closing of the grave. The exclusively Jewish cemetery Home of Peace is probably the least expensive with plots running about $9,000 a piece. The digging, filling and labor total another $4,000. Altogether, with the mortuary fees, it costs about $20,000 for a burial from start to finish. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Rabbi Drazin’s Speculations Generate an Eclectic Book

Our regular readers will not be surprised that in this book he poses answerless questions intended to make us think. He speculates about the sacred and the mundane, inquiring in chapter 30 “What do we know about God?” and in chapter 26 about “Ethical behaviors concerning shoes.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Holocaust Exhibit at La Jolla Library Draws Opening Day Crowd

A particularly emotional moment came during the yellow ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by Holocaust survivors, and by Irwin Jacobs and Lee Goldberg. The yellow ribbon, a symbol of solidarity with hostages around the world, added a layer of significance to the occasion, reminding everyone of the ongoing struggles for freedom and justice across the globe. [Sandra Scheller]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Sol’s Journey’ Contains Good Advice for American Jews

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin PIKESVILLE, Maryland — I have been reading and reviewing the inspiring, fascinating books by the brilliant writer Rabbi Dr. Charles H. Freundlich for over ten years and have enjoyed them all. Sol’s Journey, his eleventh fiction book since he started writing them at age eighty, is no exception. It is

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Claims Conference Reports Growing Gaps in Holocaust Knowledge in 8 Countries

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) on Thursday, Jan. 23, released the first-ever, eight-country Index on Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness, exposing a global trend in fading knowledge of basic facts about the Holocaust. The countries surveyed include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary and Romania. [Press Release]

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International, Jewish History, Press Release, USA

Israel’s President Herzog Names 150 Jews to Address Global Jewish Challenges

Voice of the People, a global initiative tackling key challenges facing the Jewish people spearheaded by President Isaac Herzog, announced on Thursday, Jan. 23,  the formation of its inaugural 150-member global Jewish council. This diverse and dynamic cohort will lead a two-year mission to address the most pressing challenges facing the global Jewish community. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, USA

Parsha Va’eira: An Antidote to Shortness of Breath

This week’s parsha is tailored to the times in which we are living. Fear of the unknown, “uncertainty,” has spun many into anxiety, depression, and self-destruction. Many have so weakened their sense of hopefulness, that they live with exhaustion, believing nothing can, or will, improve. The devastating, shocking, overwhelming loss in Los Angeles has led many to beat themselves down. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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California, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Elon Musk is a Friend of the Jews and Not a Nazi

After the celebration of Donald Trump’s victory, Musk expressed gratitude with the statement, “This one matters, thank you, I give you my heart,” followed by a gesture perceived by some as resembling a Nazi salute. This incident quickly overshadowed his remarks about his ambitions for space exploration with SpaceX and Tesla. Musk’s actions sparked intense debate across political lines, particularly among left-wing commentators. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Winds Have Everyone Nervous About Wildfires; Thank You’s Due to First Responders

First Responders can’t be thanked enough for putting their lives on the line to save others. It is the true example of either being a mensch or someone practicing tikkun olam daily. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food