Jewish reactions were mixed over Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris — to be expected as he had some strong backers and strong opponents among the Jewish people. [SDJW staff]
Jewish Reactions to Donald Trump’s Presidential Victory Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, Press Release, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jews, both on and off the ballot, were winners and losers Tuesday, Nov. 5, with former President Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. [Donald Harrison]
How Jews Fared in the 2024 General Elections Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“Jews in Opera” will feature the recorded voices of 15 outstanding Jewish opera singers at 2 p.m., Thursday, Nov.14, in the Astor Judaic Library of the Lawrence Family JCC. Many of the recordings are from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library. I will be hosting the program, and my in-person guest will be the distinguished Ukrainian-born mezzo soprano, Susanna Poretsky. [Eileen Wingard]
Voices of Jewish Opera Stars to be Savored at the JCC on Nov. 14 Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan and Columbia Law School professor Katherine Franke, both supporters of the Palestinian cause, experienced their own how-does-it-feel moments. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Anti-Arab Slur, Legal Dispute Mar Jewish Response to Antisemitism Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Election day is here and I decided to share the following prayer I read from myjewishlearning.com: [Cailin Acosta]
A Prayer for Election Day Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
This Jewish love story is woven into an account of Napoleon’s unsuccessful war in Egypt and Ottoman Palestine in the final years of the 18th century. Descriptions of the battles and the wanton cruelty of both sides in the war pitting mainly French Christian troops against indigenous and Turkish Muslim defenders remind current-day readers of the murderous barbarism attendant to Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel on October 7, 2023. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Jewish Tale Woven Through Napoleon’s Campaign in Egypt and Eretz Israel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Two hours after Lola Kantor was born, her mother died of complications in childbirth. Lola was given her mother’s first name, but, of course, she had no memory of her. [Donald H. Harrison]
Daughter Pictures Life of Mother Who Died Two Hours After Giving Her Birth Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Numerous questions arise when we delve into the biblical portion concerning Abraham in Lekh Lekha, Genesis 12:1-17:27. One such question is the apparent mistake in narrating Abraham’s story, which begins when he is 75. His early life is briefly noted in only six sentences in 11:27-32. Shouldn’t the entire story of Abraham, including these early years, be presented together, with 11:27-32 forming part of chapter 12? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What don’t we know about Abraham? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This year, our commitment to civility is critically essential. Jewish tradition emphasizes kavod habriyot—honoring the dignity of each human being, which means listening to one another respectfully, even when we disagree. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]
Rabbi Calls for a Commitment to Civility as Election 2024 Concludes Read More »
Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
After the fire was contained, the stay-in-place order was lifted, and everyone was able to go home– we learned a student’s apartment had severe smoke damage and she needed a place to stay. We called on our amazing community and a remarkable community family hosted this student for Shabbat and the weekend– ensuring she felt nurtured and cared for. Well-being was our priority. [Karen Parry]
Hillel Responds with Compassion to Fire and Shooting Near SDSU Campus Read More »
Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Cecile Fleetwood is a longtime member of Temple Emanu-El who teaches jewelry making and sells her own creations, including dreidel, hamantaschen, and hamza earrings She also makes pottery pieces that were fired in a kiln. [Cailin Acosta]
Novel Judaica Highlights Artisans Festival at Temple Emanu-El Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Among the most popular bagel flavors is the everything bagel, typically covered with the combination of seeds and spices, including sesame seeds, poppy seeds, flaked sea salt, garlic flakes, and onion flakes. Everything bagel coating can now be found in many other food products, including which of the following? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Bagels Read More »
Business & Finance, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Nazis pounded on the door and confiscated the treasured violin, throwing it onto a flatbed truck, breaking its string, and then putting it in storage in a cellar, where dust filled its body and extreme weather warped and cracked it. In the years after the Nazis’ defeat, the cellar was found, and the violin located. A luthier lovingly repaired it. [Donald H. Harrison]
Violin is the Centerpiece of a Holocaust Story Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Leonid Pasternak, a painter and professor at the Moscow College of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, a master of portraiture and book illustrations, went down in history in the shadow of his son Boris, a poet and Nobel Prize winner in literature, whom he loved and with whom he diverged in his attitude toward common ancestry. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Leonid Pasternak, Father of Boris, Wrestled with his Jewishness Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors