San Diego County

Tribute to a Holocaust Survivor and Education Advocate Edith Palkowitz, z”l

A Holocaust survivor from Budapest, Edith’s legacy is one of courage, resilience, and a deep commitment to preserving history. Her passing marks the end of an era for those who knew her, but her impact on the lives she touched will be felt for generations to come. [Sandy Scheller]

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Holocaust, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Ben Mankiewicz Reminisces About His Father Frank and TCM Cruises

A full house of film aficionados packed the JCC Garfield Theater Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, to hear Turner Classic Movies (TCM) featured speaker, Ben Mankiewicz. As he took the stage, he was met with a standing ovation. [Sandy Scheller]

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San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

‘Lovers in Auschwitz’ Provides Hook to Teach Readers about the Holocaust

David Wisnia from Poland was a prisoner at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex; Likewise, Helen Zipora “Zippy” Spitzer from Slovakia was also a prisoner.  But neither of them was an ordinary prisoner; by virtue of wits and luck, each of them had been elevated to favored positions in the concentration camps’ heirarchy. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Trump is Israel’s Good Friend– and He Proved It Again While Meeting Netanyahu

Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Donald Trump has enacted several policies that have significantly strengthened the U.S.-Israel alliance. Even before he officially took office, Trump played a crucial role in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This agreement led to the release of numerous hostages, including children, women, and elderly men who had been abducted during the October 2023 attacks. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

JFS Accepting Applications for Scholarships of Up to $10,000

Jewish Family Service of San Diego and the Center for Jewish Care at JFS have opened the next round of scholarship applications for Jewish students in the local community pursing higher education — including college, university, graduate or technical school. [Press Release, JFS]

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Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Seacrest Foundation Schedules Next Gala for Saturday evening, July 26

All proceeds from the Gala will support the Seacrest Village Resident Assistance Fund which provides charitable care for residents in need. These critical funds will provide housing, healthcare, and supportive services to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the residents. [Press Release]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County

‘The Accusation’ at SD International Jewish Film Festival Tells Story of a Rape Trial

Rape survivors are questioned about their mental health, their ability to tell reality, their veracity and their recollection of events. Their dignity is diminished and they are accused of nefarious motives for reporting a crime. In The Accusation the blurry, dark hinterlands between “he said” and “she said” are vivid in this entry in the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Avenue of the Giants’ Connects Younger Generation with Older Ones

Avenue of the Giants shown Monday morning at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival describes the unlikely friendship of Herbet Heller and teenager Abbey.  The drama is directed by Finn Taylor.  [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Drumatix Performance Features Percussion and Improvisation

The ensemble consisted of seven members, one being a male. Each one had a unique style and “voice” in their way of dancing, interacting with the audience, and the general presence on stage. While each was different, together they created a cohesive experience for the viewers that was incredibly engaging. The performance was full of surprising props that one would not consider instruments such as spoons and bubble wrap as well as traditional instruments such as drums, and a keyboard. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

AJC Calls for Standing Together, Fighting Antisemitism through Alliances

What spoke loudly throughout the February 2 event was the realization among the American Jewish community that standing strong in the fight against the pervasive antisemitism ravaging American society (including school and university campuses) means standing together with non-Jewish allies. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Curator of ‘RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust’ A Guest of Honor at Surprise Luncheon

Holocaust Survivors and staffers for the Jewish Federation of San Diego conspired with Ron Cohn of the Cohn Restaurant Group on Friday, Jan. 31, to surprise Sandy Scheller, curator of the exhibit RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust, now being shown at the La Jolla Library. [Mike Wallenfels]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food