149 Faculty, Staff Urge Policy Changes to Counter Anti-Jewish Hatred at CSU Campuses

LONG BEACH, California  (Press Release) — The following letter, signed by 149 current and retired faculty and staff, expressed deep concern about anti-Jewish behavior in the 23-campus California State University system.  It was sent on Tuesday, May 28, to Chancellor Mildred Garcia and the California State University Board of Trustees: We, the undersigned, are faculty […]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Israel Tries Out Quick Entry Pass for U.S. and German Visitors

Beginning with a pilot phase on June 1, travelers from the United States and Germany can apply for the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL), which will speed up online confirmations and allow for a simplified, stress-free, entry process through electronic check-in machines when visiting Israel. [Press Release]

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International, Israel, Press Release, Travel and Food, USA

California Woman Gets 3 Years After Threat To Cut The Heads Off Of A Jewish Family In Florida

Published by Tampa Free Press In a troubling display of hate, Melanie Harris, a 59-year-old woman from California, was sentenced Thursday to 32 months in prison for knowingly and intentionally transmitting threatening communications in interstate commerce. Harris of Riverside targeted a Jewish family in South Florida. “Defendant Melanie Harris’s anti-Semitic threats terrorized a Jewish family,”

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Antisemitism, Nordot, USA

Israeli Archaeologists Thrilled by ‘Deeply Moving’ Gold Artifact Discovered in Ancient City of David

Published by The Western Journal From the mix of heritage, history and holiness that lies below the surface of Jerusalem, archeologists have found a small gold ring that dates back about 2,300 years to the era when Greek civilization spread across the Holy Land. “It is an unusual and deeply moving find; not one that

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Israel, Nordot, Science, Medicine, & Education

Parsha Bechukotai: Humanity’s Purpose is to Become Holy

We are taught in this week’s parsha and in others, “to be holy,” that our sole purpose is to become whole and holy, as spiritually refined as possible. We are taught in Bechukotai to dedicate ourselves and be of service to the needs of others. By doing so, we refine and elevate our own inner life, nourish our soul, and bring light to the world around us. We do so by aligning our words and our deeds. We do so by being authentically inclusive and accepting, not simply preaching to others how they are to be. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Learning from Isaac Leib Peretz’s Masterpiece ‘If Not Higher’

I consider Peretz’s story “If Not Higher” the best of his tales. In it, the Hasidim of the town of Nemirov believe their rabbi is so holy that he ascends to heaven each year during the Penitential Prayers, which are recited in synagogues every Friday morning before the New Year holiday Rosh Hashanah. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

LFJCC Will Present 13 Songs by the Late Cantor Sheldon Merel

Hebrew liturgical works by 20th century composers will include, “Hashkiveynu,” and “Avinu Malkenu,” by Max Janowski, “La Kol Z’man,” and “Shalom Rav,” by Ben Steinberg, “Kiddush,” by Kurt Weill, “L’Shana Haba B’Yerushalayim,” by Morton Gold and a setting of the “Kol Nidre,” by Max Helfman.  [Eileen Wingard]

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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Lizzie Black Kander

Courtesy of Wikipedia Elizabeth Black Kander (May 28, 1858 – July 24, 1940) was an American progressive reformer, philanthropist, and author, founder of a settlement house in Milwaukee, where she originated her best-known work, The Settlement Cookbook. Elizabeth Black was born on May 28, 1858, to John and Mary (Perles) Black from Jewish families from England and Bavaria.

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Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA, Wikipedia

Need a Breast Cancer Screening? ‘You Are Not Alone’

Many of us women realize it is time to focus on our health and start to get screenings we did not think we would need. My dear friend, Andrea Schnieder will be sharing her breast cancer story at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, for Chabad of East County. All those in attendance will receive a signed copy of her book You Are Not Alone. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

San Diego Jewish Federation Women’s Report: To Cuba With Love

Still, Jewish life exists in Cuba. At Temple Beth Sholom (a Reform synagogue and community center in Havana), Shabbat services take place whenever there is food for Shabbat dinner, usually from visiting groups like ours. They gather for Shabbat despite not having a rabbi anywhere in Cuba. The congregants have learned to do everything themselves, often even offering special blessings to young couples and others leaving Cuba to make Aliyah. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Nikki Haley Visits Gaza Border, Claims ‘It Isn’t Hamas’ Who Is Entirely to Blame

Published by The Western Journal Former U.S. ambassador and former Republican contender for the presidency Nikki Haley toured southern Israel on Monday, laying some of the blame on Iran and Russia for the Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli citizens by the terrorist group Hamas. Haley was accompanied by Israel’s former permanent representative to the U.N.

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International, Israel, Middle East, Nordot, USA

Richard Sherman, z”l, songwriter behind Disney hits, dead at 95

Published by AFP Los Angeles (AFP) – Richard Sherman, the writer behind songs in classic Disney movies such as “Mary Poppins” and “The Jungle Book” died Saturday at the age of 95, the film and entertainment company said. He died in Beverly Hills from age-related illness, Disney said. Sherman and his brother Robert, who died

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Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nordot, Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast