I don’t know why at first I didn’t notice the similarity between Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of the murdered hostage Hersh Polin, and the matriarch Rachel. [Rabbi Philip Graubart]
The Tears of Two Rachels Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
An exhibit has opened that captures the horror and heartbreak of a day that will forever be etched in the memories of many. The Nova Exhibit, running until October 8, 2024, is a powerful and somber tribute to the Nova festival in Israel, where a day of celebration was shattered by an unspeakable act of violence. [Miriam Gershenson]
Exhibition Captures Horror of Oct. 7 Nova Music Festival Read More »
California, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Author Jeffrey Jaffe in Why Abraham? explores the Jewish people’s “chosen-ness” with questions such as, why would God designate any nation to be special, and specifically what possessed God to select Abraham as patriarch? [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Why Did God Select Abraham to Be Our Patriarch? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
My book-writing journey was not fast, linear, or easy. Its three-year evolution was punctuated with the losses of my father and a brother (two of my favorite people in the world), both of my daughters launching, and many other changes and challenges. [Shayna Kaufmann]
I’m Coming Out … With a Book! Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Fry is known in San Diego as the “pet detective” who has successfully reunited thousands of lost dogs and their owners. [Mimi Pollack]
Mimi’s Ark: Babs Fry, A Hero in the San Diego Dog Community Read More »
Mimi Pollack, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
Songs, psalms, poetry, and prayers recited by clergy and lay leaders of San Diego’s Jewish community were woven through a memorial service on Monday evening, Sept. 2, for six hostages brutally executed by Hamas as they waited defenselessly in tunnels under Rafah, Gaza, for their rescue by the Israel Defense Force. [Donald H. Harrison]
6 Slain Israeli Hostages Memorialized by United San Diego Jewish Community Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Shabbat meal contains significant items, including zemirot, which are medieval songs and ancient biblical psalms. They are a powerful means of preserving and showcasing Jewish culture’s rich and diverse nature. These sacred, secular, serious, and playful lyrics praise God and the Shabbat, transforming the meal into a time of joy and inspiration. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Shabbat meal, its origin, beauty, and intelligence Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
So well did they get along that they decided to become doubles partners in the competition that became the French Open. They ignored boos and rude comments from bigots in the stands as they made their way to the court together. They prevailed all the way to a championship game, at which they lost the first set. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Tennis Story Tells of Gibson and Buxton Overcoming Discrimination Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog is in the process of forming a worldwide Council to develop innovative solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing the Jewish world. [Donald H. Harrison]
Israel’s President Isaac Herzog Wants YOUR Opinion Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In 2021, Shaquille O’Neal posted on social media that his favorite Jewish holiday is which one? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Shaquille O’Neal Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In Eastern Europe before alarm clocks were generally available, a Jewish person known as a “klopper” was appointed to knock on doors early in the morning to help assure people would get to morning prayers on time. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Klop, Klop! Wake Up; It’s Time for Morning Prayers’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Even more impressive than the newly achieved grandeur of the hall were the improved acoustics of the Jacobs Music Center. We were seated in the very last row of the downstairs, under the balcony overhang, over to the extreme right, and every sound, every nuance reached our ears with pure clarity, from the hushed solo violin strokes of Tchaikovsky’s “Canzonetta” to the bold final utterances of Orff’s “O fortuna,” for full chorus and orchestra. [Eileen Wingard]
Transformed Jacobs Music Center Features Highly Improved Acoustics Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Doug and my prayers are with Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg-Polin, Hersh’s parents, and with everyone who knew and loved Hersh. When I met with Jon and Rachel earlier this year, I told them: You are not alone. That remains true as they mourn this terrible loss. [Kamala Harris]
Kamala Harris: Murders of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Others Demonstrate Hamas’ Depravity Read More »
Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The narrative moves to the assassination of President Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre on a Friday night – the same time that many observant Jewish families were at their Shabbat dinners. When Rebecca’s mother lights candles, they unexpectedly flicker – symbolizing the spiritual blow to the nation. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Book Describes Shock and Mourning over Lincoln’s Assassination Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA