Judaism

Children’s Book Teaches Kindness to Animals in an Exotic Jewish Locale

The story, intended for children between the ages of 4 and 9, teaches several lessons.  Author Kierzenblat’s main message reinforces the ethical concept of being kind to animals.  Another is the fact that Jews lived throughout the Diaspora, incorporating into their daily lives the customs of the people around them. [Donald H. Harrison]

Children’s Book Teaches Kindness to Animals in an Exotic Jewish Locale Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Elmo and Friends Celebrate Chanukah at Sesame Place

After the kids took some rides, we made it to the Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony with Elmo at Big Bird’s Wave Pool Lawn. Courtney Adams, Assistant Supervisor of Talent Operations, sang the brachot and since Oscar the Grouch was not invited to the lighting, he unplugged the menorah. A quick fix from the crew, the menorah was lit for the sixth night celebration. [Cailin Acosta]

Elmo and Friends Celebrate Chanukah at Sesame Place Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Judah Personified What Jews Should Be

Judah steps forward in the biblical portion of Vayyiggash, Genesis 44:18-47:31, which means “steps forward.” Judah stepped forward near Joseph  to defend his younger brother Benjamin, whom Joseph was threatening. The Torah likes Judah, as do most Jews and some Christians today. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Judah Personified What Jews Should Be Read More »

Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

La Jollan Jagoda Coached Jimmy Carter for Debate with Gerald Ford

In 1976, Jagoda coached former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter for his presidential debates against incumbent U.S. President Gerald Ford. Later, Carter became the 39th U.S. president. Carter won the popular vote (40,831,881 to Ford’s 39,148,634) and garnered 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 240. [Rick Griffin, Times of San Diego]

La Jollan Jagoda Coached Jimmy Carter for Debate with Gerald Ford Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Times of San Diego, USA

The Eitingon Saga, Part 2: Nahum Eitingon, Soviet Assassin

He was engaged in the organization of espionage and sabotage operations, among which stand out the assassination of the leader of North China and Manchuria Zhang Zolin (1928), the kidnapping of prominent members of the White movement, Generals Alexander Kutepov (1930) and Eugene Miller (1937) in France, and an unsuccessful attempt and then the murder of Lev Trotsky in Mexico (1940). [Alex Gordon]

The Eitingon Saga, Part 2: Nahum Eitingon, Soviet Assassin Read More »

Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Mitzvah of Donating Blood

A week ago, I donated another pint of my O negative blood as my eight weeks had passed which made me eligible. I like to post it on my Facebook page to remind me when I donated and all those that I am friends with know I have their backs if they ever need me to save their lives. Or to also remind them to be extra nice to me as I recover and rest and hydrate. Sometimes the effects can last one to two days after. [Cailin Acosta]

The Mitzvah of Donating Blood Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Rabbi Leads Chanukah ‘Candle Lighting’ aboard Azamara’s Onward

A life-long learner, Ham radio operator, ardent Zionist, Reconstructionist rabbi whose wife Ilene Schneider also is a Reconstructionist rabbi, Gans welcomed between 40 and 50 people to candle lighting ceremonies on the first night of Chanukah on Wednesday, Dec. 25, in the Cabaret Lounge, the ship’s main showroom.  Azamara’s Onward had just completed a Christmas Day transit through the Panama Canal. [Donald H. Harrison]

Rabbi Leads Chanukah ‘Candle Lighting’ aboard Azamara’s Onward Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Claims Conference to Host Star-Studded Salute to Holocaust Survivors

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) announced that the 8th annual International Holocaust Survivors Night (IHSN) will be held globally – and virtually – on the fifth night of Chanukah, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. [Press Release]

Claims Conference to Host Star-Studded Salute to Holocaust Survivors Read More »

Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Press Release

The Scroll of Antiochus, an Interesting Fiction about Hannukah

People of all religions frequently describe some things as holy and devise sacred ceremonies that involve them without realizing they are false. They do so because others thought they were holy or because of superstition or flawed reasoning. The Scroll of Antiochus is an example. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

The Scroll of Antiochus, an Interesting Fiction about Hannukah Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

When Chanukah Donuts Started Being Filled with Jam and Other Facts

Why do we eat jelly filled donuts on Chanukah? The easy answer has to do with agriculture, food politics and the desire for something sweet. [Cailin Acosta]

When Chanukah Donuts Started Being Filled with Jam and Other Facts Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

The Deeper Meaning of Chanukah and its Symbols

The miracle of the oil is a foundation for why candle lighting, an act of pirsuma d’nisa (publicizing the miracle), is one of the two major commandments of Chanukah, with reciting Hallel as the other. Through lighting candles, we can display our hope, trust, and faith in Hashem and in His role in our lives. When they lit the menorah in the Temple, they did so from a belief, a hope, that the future is not preordained, that the future can truly be altered. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

The Deeper Meaning of Chanukah and its Symbols Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors