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 Contributors
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
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
Alison Brie (December 29, 1982) is an American actress. Her breakthrough came with the role of Trudy Campbell in the drama series Mad Men (2007–2015). [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Alison Brie Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Stan Lee (December 28, 1922 – November 12, 2018) was an American comic book writer, editor, publisher and producer. He rose through the ranks of a family-run business called Timely Comics which later became Marvel Comics. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Stan Lee Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
B’nai B’rith International is troubled—particularly during a holiday season that should unite the world’s religious communities and renew determination to address the actual sources of suffering globally—by a series of comments from Pope Francis that obscure key facts about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas-led terrorists. [B’nai B’rith International Leadership]
OpEd: In Reply to Pope Francis’ Comments about the War in Gaza Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
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
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
Oscar Levant (December 27, 1906 – August 14, 1972) was an American concert pianist, composer, conductor, author, radio game show panelist, television talk show host, comedian, and actor. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Oscar Levant Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The office of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas representatives are lying when they said ceasefire and hostage negotiations are being stalled by Israel imposing new conditions. [SDJW staff]
Netanyahu Blames Hamas in Faltering Hostage and Ceasefire Negotiations Read More »
International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWhy 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
Kitty Dukakis (December 26, 1936) is an American author. She is married to former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Kitty Dukakis Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
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
On a recent visit to this port city, I was among a group of four Jews who were escorted by a guide to a five-month-old Sephardic congregation (Sinagoga Sefardi) established by Rabbi Joachim Montoya, a medical doctor who had converted to Judaism after learning that he was descended from a family of Conversos. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi Whose Family Were Conversos Now Heads a Colombian Sephardic Congregation Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food