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]
Holocaust survivor and author Dr. Edith Eger won her second Christopher Award for the book “The Ballerina of Auschwitz.” (Cailin Acosta)
Holocaust Survivor Edith Eger Wins 2nd Writing Award Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Liz, the great-aunt of Abigail, Michael, and Amalia, had released a book titled Saving Abigail, which recounts the harrowing and miraculous story of her family’s experience on October 7, 2023—the day of the brutal Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. [Miriam Gershenson]
Author Tells Harrowing Story of 3-Year-Old Israeli Hostage Read More »
Albert Kreimerman, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
In solemn remembrance of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and in honor of those who survived, Jewish Federation of San Diego, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Community Foundation San Diego will host the annual Yom HaShoah: Community Holocaust Commemoration on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 1 p.m, at the Lawrence Family JCC | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS in La Jolla. [Press Release]
Community to Gather April 27 for Holocaust Commemoration Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County
What marijuana product, certified Kosher-for-Passover by Rabbi Yaakov Cohen and Whole Kosher Services, is being offered for the first time in 2025? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Passover Food Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
His poems were enjoyed by all Soviet children. Marshak’s poetry for children is a world of goodness, fun, fairy tales, original images and ringing, beautiful rhymes. He was an innovator, the creator of energetic, major, fast, inventive, cheerful and witty children’s verse. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Samuel Marshak, Soviet Children’s Writer Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In this book, a compilation of his weekly Torah insights, he rebuts the Christian missionaries who say that God replaced Judaism with Christianity. He argues that their “proofs” of the divinity of Jesus either misinterpret Jewish Scripture or intentionally distort it. [Donald H. Harrison]
Citing Biblical Verses to Counter Arguments of Christian Missionaries Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This narrative bursting with the anticipation of sacred inauguration, abruptly descends into the chilling silence of loss. The joyous celebration, the culmination of meticulous preparation, is shattered by the sudden, devastating demise of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron’s sons – a consuming fire that leaves Aaron speechless. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah, Parsha Shemini: Loss, Grief and Community Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USALa Mesa Pizzaworks (kosher pizza establishment) made an announcement they had a new menu item: Cheese pizza with Skittles candy …. April Fools! [Cailin Acosta]
April Fools Reflections Read More »
Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Some Yemeni Jews, quite familiar with the Torah, had memorized Exodus 19:4, which states, “You saw what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings to bring you to Me.” Taking the metaphor literally, they expected giant eagles to carry them to Israel, not airplanes, with which they were wholly unfamiliar. [Donald H. Harrison]
Immigration Drama Follows Jews from Yemen to Israel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Fiction, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
With the opening words of this week’s Torah reading, Vayikra, we hear something profound: “And He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying: Speak to the children of Israel and say to them: When a person from among you brings a korban to Hashem, from animals—from cattle or from the flock—you shall bring your offering.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Vayikra: Hashem’s Loving Call to Us Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Boiling down a conflict that could flare into World War 3 is no easy task, particularly when the intended audience comprises preschoolers to 3rd graders. Marshall focuses on Ukraine’s repression by Russia prior to the breakup of the Soviet Union, its early experiences as an independent nation, and Zelensky’s rise from a television comedian, who played the role of Ukraine’s president, to being elected as that nation’s actual president. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Book in Simple Language Explains the War for Ukraine Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In a courageous act, Stroe handed Hamburg her own identity documents, including her birth and baptism certificates. These papers allowed Hamburg to evade the ghetto deportation and flee the city. She went to Budapest, where she survived by posing as a Christian, relying on Stroe’s documents. [Press Release]
Righteous Gentile’s Story Appended to Some Haggadahs Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Press Release
Samuel David Luzzatto (1800-1865), known as Shadal based on the initials of his name, was brilliant. Many people enjoyed his common-sense interpretations of the Torah. However, human nature is what it is; some people dislike and criticize his writing. Some even said he was not religious. I disagree. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Shadal’s Rational Views on Leviticus Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors