Staff and Bylined Contributors

History of American Jewish Historical Societies Plumbs Differences Between Amateurs and Professional Historians

It is an exciting history of the alliances of American lay and scholarly commitment to their history in the wake of the Holocaust. They sought to save the past for the future. Volunteers and professionals faced similar hurdles, establishing a presence, membership, leadership, volunteers, location, visibility, funding, establishing archives, crafting exciting programs and exhibits that bridged diverse interests, education, and producing, newsletters, journals and websites. [Oliver Pollak]

History of American Jewish Historical Societies Plumbs Differences Between Amateurs and Professional Historians Read More »

California, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Lion’s Trail Through Biblical Israel: First in a Series

  By Jerry Klinger BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Benny Kashriel, the mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, a bedroom community of 30,000 just over the Green Line from Jerusalem, shared with me in November 2022 that Ma’ale Adumim is mentioned in the book of Joshua 18:17. The mayor presented me with a special recognition.  Judy and I

The Lion’s Trail Through Biblical Israel: First in a Series Read More »

Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Israel’s National Library and Me

We unloaded our books onto the counter. They looked lovely there, the covers all being based on my own watercolor paintings. Unfazed, the librarian handed me an empty form and told me to start filling it out. I began to embark on the task, expecting to have to make an effort to get my books into the annals of posterity. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Israel’s National Library and Me Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A hundred pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York’s Columbia University

Published by AFP New York (AFP) – Police arrested more than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters at New York’s Columbia University Thursday, a day after the president of the prestigious school was grilled in Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus.  “NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, the students and the

A hundred pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at New York’s Columbia University Read More »

Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Biographer of Abe Cahan Illuminates a Bygone Era

The newspaper also taught new immigrants about American folkways—dishing out advice on such diverse topics as how baseball is played, how Americans set their tables, and to sneeze into handkerchiefs to avoid spreading germs in crowded tenements. [Donald H. Harrison]

Biographer of Abe Cahan Illuminates a Bygone Era Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Pearl Takes Over as JCF’s President and CEO

Jeremy Pearl: “Since the October 7th attacks on Israel, our donors have directed $10,606,324 to 99 organizations supporting needs from crisis management to mental health support.” (SDJW staff)

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Pearl Takes Over as JCF’s President and CEO Read More »

Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Democracies Have Inherent Self-Destructive Tendencies According to Academicians

Arrow received the Nobel Prize in economics in 1972 for proving the impossibility of simultaneously meeting the requirements of reasonableness and equality and the impossibility of establishing the ranking of social priorities. According to the Gödel-Arrow theorem, any electoral system is flawed. [Alex Gordon, PhD]

Democracies Have Inherent Self-Destructive Tendencies According to Academicians Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Fifths’ of Schostakovich and Beethoven Presented by TICO

the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) tackled Schostakovich’s 5th Symphony at their April 14 and 16 concerts at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. If that were not challenging enough, Conductor David Amos, paired it with Beethoven’s 5th Piano Concerto, the “Emperor,” performed by Pianist Ines Irawati. [Eileen Wingard]

‘Fifths’ of Schostakovich and Beethoven Presented by TICO Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Tree of Life is Sculpted in Ma’ale Adumim, Israel

At first glance, the Tree is a giant, massive, dead olive tree.  But, like the Jewish people, when you get closer to it, scan the upper truncated Tree arms, and coming out of them is life, renewed, fresh shoots of green leaves.  Atop the highest of the tree arms, on the highest branch of green leaves, is a Dove.  The Dove is the most heartfelt symbol of peace all recognize and desire in this contentious land. [Jerry Klinger]

A Tree of Life is Sculpted in Ma’ale Adumim, Israel Read More »

Israel, Jerry Klinger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Elaine Bromka Portrays First Ladies Johnson, Nixon, and Ford in ‘Tea for Three’

Much of the content for this one-woman show came from Bromka’s extensive research. She armed herself with the 800+ page diary of Lady Bird, autobiography and diaries of Betty Ford, and writings of White House press secretaries. The multi-talented actress told me that “librarians are my heroines/heroes.” [Eva Trieger]

Elaine Bromka Portrays First Ladies Johnson, Nixon, and Ford in ‘Tea for Three’ Read More »

Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

ADL: Antisemitism on the Rise in San Diego County

In the San Diego region, ADL recorded an unprecedented total of 108 local incidents of assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2023, a 200% increase from 2022. This dramatic spike in antisemitic acts includes 58 incidents occurring after October 7th, comprising 54% of total incidents. This reflects a global trend as Jewish communities worldwide face heightened tensions and hatred in response to the Oct 7 massacre and ongoing conflict – on campuses, in the public square and at anti-Israel demonstrations. [Fabienne Perlov]

ADL: Antisemitism on the Rise in San Diego County Read More »

Antisemitism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA