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Today’s Jewish Birthday: Israel Zangwill

His play “The Melting Pot” was credited with penning that phrase to describe absorption of immigrants in the United States. After seeing it, former President Theodore Roosevelt reportedly leaned out from his theater box and shouted, “That’s a great play, Mr. Zangwill. That’s a great play.” [SDJW staff]

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International, Israel, Jewish Fiction, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Kaspare Cohn’s Legacies: Union Bank, Cedars-Sinai Hospital

Cohn was just 20 years old when he arrived in Los Angeles in 1859 from Loebau, Prussia, to work for his uncle Harris Newmark. His introduction to the primitive banking system in 19th century California came when his uncle had him sleep on the floor of the family grocery store as a way of safeguarding the finances of Los Angeles County. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: George Burns

In 1926, he married Gracie Allen, who was Catholic, and  subsequently appeared with her in comic short films which had such stars as Bing Crosby, W.C. Fields, Jack Benny, Frest Astaire, Joan Fontaine, Bob Hope, Martha Raye, Eleanor Powell, and Robert Young. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Jewish Celebrities, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

July, September May Be Best Months to See Jewish Baseball Heritage in Action

The San Diego Padres will play five teams at Petco Park in May. Two of them–the Colorado Rockies and the New York Yankees — have Jewish players, Rockies pitcher Jake Bird and Yankees pitcher Scott Effross.  The Padres, who do not have a Jewish player, have designated the middle game of the May 13-15 series with the Rockies as the day to celebrate Jewish heritage at Petco Park.  May is nationally recognized as Jewish American Heritage Month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Charlotte’ and ‘My Father’s Secrets’ Animate the Holocaust

The animated feature film Charlotte chronicles the unfolding of her personal and creative development in Berlin between 1933 and 1939 and her temporary haven in France thereafter. While its emphasis remains on her autobiography, the dangers posed by Nazi antisemitism loom in the background with a few paintings depicting a Nazi rally, her expulsion from the Academy of Arts on racial grounds, Kristallnacht, and her father’s return as a physically broken man from being interned at Sachsenhausen after the Nazi rampage in 1938. [Laurie Baron]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Turning the Grading Tables on Local Universities

The shoe will be on the other foot for San Diego State, UC San Diego, Cal State San Marcos, the University of San Diego and other 4-year colleges and universities throughout the nation. The Anti-Defamation League has announced it is “developing a new tool to evaluate the climate of antisemitism on individual campuses.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘Reclaiming the Sacred’ Shuns Materialism in Favor of Love

The book’s strength lies in its combination of poetic moments and solid policy arguments, reflecting Golden’s diverse background as a professor and nonprofit director. These elements are woven together to form a narrative that is both magical and logical, showcasing Golden’s range as a writer. His varied experiences lend credibility and depth to his insights, making the book not just another spiritual guide, but a substantial piece of literature that offers real, implementable solutions. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: J.B. Pritzker

As a Democratic  candidate, Pritzker finished third in a 1998 bid for the congressional seat won by Jan Schakowsky, and 20 years later, he ran successfully for governor of Illinois, spending an estimated $42 million of his own money through the primary and $171.5 million to defeat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner in the general election.  He was easily reelected in 2022. [SDJW staff]

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

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Leaping Into Marriage?

Have you ever met a couple who say, with a smile, that this is their tenth wedding anniversary, but in actuality have been married 40 years.  They are not lying, just bending the truth a little bit.  These are the couples who were married on February 29, which comes around only once in four years — the leap year. [SDJW staff]

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Holocaust, Israel, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Coalition of Jewish Groups Urge Investigation of UC Santa Cruz Department

Citing newly released evidence that faculty at the University of California campus here are using their official faculty positions and resources to promote anti-Israel propaganda, in violation of University policy and California law, 115 non-profit advocacy organizations called on the University of California Regents to investigate. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release

Israel’s Bell Pepper Crop Picked by International Corps of Volunteers

Mojja joined a group of 22 Jewish volunteers from a diverse group of countries including Brazil, France, Uruguay, Spain, U.S, Germany and Argentina. The volunteer experience really brought them together as friends. “Most volunteers knew English but we taught some to whoever didn’t know.” Mojja recalled with a laugh, “Even the Russian and the Ukrainian got along well!” [Shoshana McKinney]

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International, Israel, Shoshana McKinney, Staff and Bylined Contributors