U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump told a news conference Monday he had “a really good conversation” with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I think we’re going to be in a good place in the Middle East,” he said. “I think the Middle East will be in a good place. I think actually more difficult is going to be the Russia-Ukraine situation.” [SDJW Staff Report]
Author Topperman grew up in Canada, to which her parents had immigrated, after trying out Sweden. She is the product of a mixed Polish family; her mother’s side is Jewish; her father’s side is Catholic. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Polish-Canadian Returns to Her Parents’ Poland Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Climate change is bleaching and killing off vast amounts of the world’s coral due to rising sea temperatures. Dr. Benyamin Rosental of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and his colleagues have proposed an out of the box potential solution – transplanting stem cells from resilient individuals to revive them. [Press Release]
Transplanting Stem Cells in Sea Anemones Urged to Revive Coral Reefs Read More »
Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share
Which of the following gifts, designed to be hung on the wall, are offered for sale at Overstock.com in their Hanukkah shopping section? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Hanukkah Shopping Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Claudia Cohen (December 16, 1950 – June 15, 2007) was an American gossip columnist, socialite, and television reporter. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Claudia Cohen Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]
Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAIsrael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the government has appropriated millions of dollars to double the Jewish population of the Golan Heights, which was seized from Syria in the Six-Day War and which Israel subsequently annexed. [SDJW Staff]
Israel Weighs Beefing Up Defenses, Population in Golan Heights Read More »
California, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA
It was a festive occasion, but unfortunately, I did not find any decorations or events that had a Chanukah theme, so I focused on the Winter excitement. I will be mentioning this to the La Mesa Village Association that our holiday was not represented. Many Jewish residents live in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]
La Mesa’s Annual Holiday in the Village Seems to Ignore Chanukah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The December 8 San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s high voltage program under the direction of SDSO Music Director, Raphael Payare, took off with the dazzling opening of Richard Strauss’ tone poem, Don Juan. [Eileen Wingard]
Strauss, Schastakovitch Masterfully Performed by Israeli-Born Pianist Inon Barnatan Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Courtesy of Wikipedia Adam Brody (December 15, 1979) is an American actor. His breakout role was as Seth Cohen on the Fox television series The O.C. (2003–2007). Brody appeared in films including Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Thank You for Smoking (2005), In the Land of Women (2007), and Jennifer’s Body (2009). In the 2010s, Brody had supporting roles in comedies including Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Adam Brody Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaU.S. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) delivered a farewell address in the U.S. Senate, in which he has served for 18 years, which included his current role as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He said tikkun olam and tzedakah collectively have been his North Star of public service. [SDJW staff]
Cardin, in Farewell Senate Speech, Recalls His Campaign for Soviet Jews Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Nathan Ebner (December 14, 1988) is an American former professional football player who was a safety and special teamer in the National Football League (NFL). He was a rugby sevens player for the United States national rugby sevens team. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Nate Ebner Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
This can be a stressful time of the year financially and emotionally for many people. Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” usually sparks a smile of relief and if that person corrects you with the holiday they celebrate, it is okay. Wishing someone a “Happy” something is better than not saying anything in my experience. [Cailin Acosta]
Holiday Greetings! What’s Appropriate to Say? Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodSeventy-seven Congressional Democrats, including nine Jewish members, wrote to Antony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, respectively Secretary of State and Defense Secretary, stating that “administrative action must be taken to ensure Israel upholds the assurances it provided in March 2024 to facilitate, and not directly or indirectly obstruct U.S. humanitarian assistance. We remain committed to a negotiated solution that can bring an end to the fighting, free the remaining hostages, surge humanitarian aid, and lay the groundwork to rebuild Gaza with a legitimate Palestinian governing body.” [SDJW staff compilation]
Uncertainty over the Fates of Gaza and Syria Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA