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
Diane von Fürstenberg (December 31, 1946) is a Belgian fashion designer best known for her wrap dress. She initially rose to prominence in 1969 when she married into the German princely House of Fürstenberg, as the wife of Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Diane von Fustenberg Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Three previously published novels with punny titles all are set around Jewish holidays. Their protagonist is Rabbi Aviva Cohen, who in some respects resembles the author: the fictional Cohen is “a woman rabbi from south New Jersey, and she is short, chubby with unruly curly red hair,” Schneider said. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi Ilene Schneider Writes Murder Mystery Novels Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Chabad of East County celebrated the fifth night of Chanukah at its new location on Navajo Road in the San Carlos section of San Diego on Sunday, Dec. 29. [Cailin Acosta]
Chanukah Celebrations: Latkes in San Carlos, Chinese Food in Santee Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Last week President Biden signed legislation designating the bald eagle the national bird of the United States. Intent on undoing everything President Biden has done, Trump plans to rescind this legislation and pick a national bird that better symbolizes his vision for America. He also doesn’t like the bald eagle because it obviously hasn’t figured out that it can cover baldness with a comb-over. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Flipping the National Bird Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Finally San Diego has a kosher restaurant that actually hits all three metrics for a good restaurant; good food, good service, and good ambiance. I’ve been long hoping for such a find, and La Mesa Pizzaworks is the unicorn we’ve been waiting for. [Sandi Masori]
Food, Service, Ambiance All Excellent at La Mesa Pizzaworks Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
What did President Carter bring to Menachem Begin in his cabin at Camp David, which led Begin to agree to remain and finalize the Camp David Accords? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Jimmy Carter Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
When it comes to the UN, anti-Israel resolutions not only are the most popular agenda items in the General Assembly and the Security Council, but resolutions against Israel often fill the calendars of the UN’s constituent agencies. [Steve Kramer]
OpEd: United Nations and its Agencies Thoroughly Biased against Israel Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA
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 exhibition displays about 25 of Hirsch’s works in pen and wash (he worked using only shades of grey) presenting his unique and insightful way of seeing the world, whether depicting sitting or reclining models, still lifes or fantastical creatures and images. It is difficult to categorize his work, which seems to lie on the cusp between surrealism and German expressionism. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Israel Museum Exhibits Art of Joseph Hirsch, a Cousin Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
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
Sandy Koufax (December 30, 1935), nicknamed “the Left Arm of God”, is an American former baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Sandy Koufax Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Once again, the JCC upheld its tradition of bringing the community together Dec. 25 for an evening of kosher Chinese food and comedy. [Sandra Scheller]
Chanukah Celebrations at the JCC, Chabad in Rancho Santa Fe Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined ContributorsA 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