Judaism

Israeli archaeologists find rare 1,900-year-old coin from Bar Kochba Revolt

Published by ANI News Tel Aviv [Israel], March 4 (ANI/TPS): Archaeologists unearthed a rare coin dating back to the time of the Bar Kochba Revolt against Rome in the Judean Desert, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced on Monday. The nearly 1,900-year-old coin was unearthed in the Metsoke Ha’Atakim Nature Reserve near the Dead Sea. It […]

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Israel, Jewish History, Nordot, Science, Medicine, & Education

Was Ben Harouni’s Murder a Hate Crime? El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells Promises to ‘Share Truth’

“I will not let anything be swept under the rug, and when I understand what the truth is, I will share that with you,” Wells said. “We may have to be a little patient because this may take a little bit of time.” [Ken Stone, Times of San Diego]

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Antisemitism, Ken Stone, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Times of San Diego

Today’s Jewish Birthday: John Garfield

Following the war, Garfield starred with Lana Turner in The Postman Always Rings Twice; and with Joan Crawford in Humoresque.  He took a supporting role in Gentlemen’s Agreement because he wanted to participate in that film’s exposé of antisemitism.  He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1947 for his leading role in Body and Soul. [SDJW staff]

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California, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Jewish Biography: David Friedländer’s ‘Corrected’ Judaism

A year after moving to Berlin, the 21-year-old Friedländer met Mendelssohn and became his pupil and friend. His marriage to the daughter of banker Daniel Itzig, one of Frederick II’s favorites, brought him into the circle of wealthy and influential families of court Jews. In 1778 Friedländer was among the founders of the Jewish public free school Education for Young Men, where Haskalah’s ideals were carried out. [Alex Gordon]

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

Aesop’s Fables Through a Jewish Lens

Dr. Samuel, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California, translates the fables in a very readable manner that captures our interest and curiosity. He highlights the messages in each Tale and includes the parallel teachings in Jewish wisdom, including quotes from a vast collection of Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers, ancient and modern. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats

“In the 1970s, a weir – a small dam – was built across the mouth and at that time it was for flood control. But after a while the water quality got really bad because it trapped all the river runoff in the lagoon, rather than having tides come in and flushing it out. By virtue of being fresh water – because the weir blocked the salt of the ocean from coming in – it became a great place for cattails to flourish and take over. “[Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: American Jewish Committee Praises Mayor Todd Gloria

During these troubling times, Mayor Gloria has been a steadfast friend to the Jewish community of San Diego, having spoken out against Hamas’ deadly terrorist attack against Israel and against antisemitism here at home. We must show the mayor that we deeply appreciate his efforts and stand with him, just as he has stood with us.” [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Moe Berg

In 1934, he joined a group of baseball All-Stars including Ruth, Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, and Lefty Gomez to play against a Japanese all-star team. Berg was not nearly as good a player as his colleagues, but spoke some Japanese and was invited to address the legislature. On a visit to Saint Luke’s Hospital, he went to the roof and filmed the city and port with his movie camera. This film was later turned over to American intelligence for use in bombing raids. [SDJW staff]

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International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual”

In Sacramento, where the family lived for many years before settling in San Diego, they supported three congregations –one Conservative, another modern Orthodox, and the third Chabad.  Benjamin attended the community’s  Shalom School, which served Jewish children of various denominations from kindergarten through 5th grade. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Yitzhak Rabin

In 1992, Rabin unseated Peres as the Labor party leader, leading to his second term as prime minister. In 1993, Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat exchanged letters of recognition, with Arafat renouncing violence. Encouraged by President Bill Clinton, Rabin had a historic handshake with Arafat at the White House in 1993. The following year, Rabin signed a peace treaty with Jordan. Along with Arafat and Peres, Rabin was awarded the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize. [SDJW staff]

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Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

26-Year-Old Biography of George Steiner Worth Reading Again

Errata; an Examined Life: A Life in Ideas by George Steiner; Yale University Press, 1998 By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The name of this author arouses reverence in the minds of anyone conscious of the role played by language in the world of culture, literature and ideas. Steiner’s seminal books, After Babel and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Helping Israeli Hostages and Protecting the Local Jewish Community

The Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, the Leichtag Foundation, and Impact Cubed have put together a webinar for 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 5, to consider the situation of the slain Israelis and hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA