Israel Baal Shem Tov (1700-1760) originated modern Hasidim. Since his death, much like the many diverse Christian Protestant groups, Hasidim today is made up of many different groups with similar and dissimilar ideologies. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Origin of Hasidim Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
As we approach the one-year anniversary [on the Hebrew calendar] of the devastating attack on Simchat Torah, a day celebrated as one of the most joyous in the Jewish calendar, we are confronted with a profound paradox. Over 1,200 people were murdered, and hundreds more were taken hostage. How can we reconcile such joy with such deep sorrow on this powerful day? [Rabbi Shmuly Begun]
Simchat Torah: Should We Dance or Cry? Read More »
Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Manufacturers and retailers look to expand their business, while not necessarily knowing about the holiday, its rules and its customs. What product is for sale this Sukkot that is getting attention because the product is flawed? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sukkot Products Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The poet Semyon Nadson (1862 – 1887) lived for 24 years. He is known for being the first poet of Jewish descent to achieve national prominence in the Russian Empire. In 1886, Nadson was awarded the Pushkin Prize of the Academy of Sciences, the most prestigious literary award in pre-revolutionary Russia. [Alex Gordon]
Semyon Nadson, Philosemitic Russian Poet Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
SAN DIEGO – Sukkot is celebrated five days after Yom Kippur and is named after the booths or huts in which Jews are supposed to dwell during this week-long celebration. Typically, it is to honor our ancestors who made the 40-year trek of wandering in the desert after escaping slavery from Egypt. These temporary shelters
Camping Out in the Sukkah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Will the new year be better than the previous horrible one? It’s hard to believe that it won’t be, given the last year’s continuous warfare. At this juncture, Israel has ruptured Hamas in Gaza and killed its leader Yahya Sinwar, leaving the major problems returning our hostages and eliminating the remnants of the Hamas fighting forces. [Steve Kramer]
5785: A good year for the Jews? Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
Genesis opens with God ceasing His work on the seventh day (Gen. 2:2-3), and then Shabbat never appearing again as day of rest until after the Exodus and the collection of manna (Ex. 16:23). Levenson brings to bear his own insights and knowledge on the subject, together with the thoughts and theories of other scholars endeavoring to understand the ancient meanings and observances of the Jewish Sabbath. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Why Do Weeks Have Seven Days and Why is the Seventh Day Holy? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This year, I’ll be celebrating Sukkot after returning from my third Solidarity Mission to Israel with Jewish Federation of San Diego, following the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023. [David Bark]
The Evolving Moods of Sha’ar Hanegev Since Oct. 7, 2023 Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Courtesy of Wikipedia David Ben-Gurion (October 16, 1886 – December 1, 1973) was the primary national founder of the State of Israel as well as its first prime minister. As head of the Jewish Agency from 1935, and later president of the Jewish Agency Executive, he was the de facto leader of the Jewish community in Palestine, and largely led the movement for an
Today’s Jewish Birthday: David Ben-Gurion Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaToday, the second Monday in October, is known as “Indigenous People’s Day” which honors the native people whose communities, health and culture were decimated by Europeans who arrived on ships to “discover” the New World. [Cailin Acosta]
A Lesson for Indigenous People’s Day/ Columbus Day Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Now, especially, the Shabbat Project is an opportunity for Jews everywhere— in Israel, the US, and throughout the world—to rally together, to unite around Shabbat, to stand proud and say, “This is who we are. We will not be defined by hatred or darkness, and with God’s help, we will not allow our enemies to defeat us.” [Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein of South Africa]
Worldwide Shabbat Project Coming to San Diego Nov. 14-17 Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jewish Federation of San Diego alongside trip co-chairs Sonia Israel, Shari Schenk, and Jeff Schindler, invite members of the local Jewish community on a deeply meaningful journey marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camps during the International March of the Living in Poland. [Press Release]
Jewish Federation Cosponsors March of the Living Trip for San Diego County Residents Read More »
Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, Travel and Food
The Opportunity and the Challenge for San Diego is; does San Diego want to have a Daffodil Garden? JASHP is willing to fund one for San Diego. We will pay for the bulbs, the stone, and the marker. The condition of the gift is that the garden must be sited in a significant, publicly accessible location, such as a park. We want the message to be viewed by as many people as possible. Our common future is the Challenge. [Jerry Klinger]
Free Holocaust Memorial Garden Offered to City of San Diego Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
During this meaningful journey and in partnership with Jewish National Fund-USA, they honored Marcia’s late father with a plaque at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem and dedicated a bomb shelter in Sha’ar HaNegev near the Gaza border in memory of her mother. The next generation was present to witness the touching tributes by Marcia and Debbie, and be inspired by these two remarkable women. (Tania Shalom Michaelian)
Threads of Legacy: A Family Weaving Their Mark on Israel Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA