According to Einstein, the world is governed by the laws of reason and comprehended by reason. He “did not believe in a God who was concerned with the welfare and moral behavior of human beings.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Albert Einstein, Cosmotheist Read More »
Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In 1875, his dream of opening Hebrew Union College to train rabbis was realized, with Wise serving as its president. In 1883, non-kosher food was served at what became known derisively as the “Trefa Banquet” for the first graduating class, which Wise declined to condemn. This incident led to the formation of the Conservative movement, which positioned itself as more liberal than Orthodox Judaism, but conserving some traditions. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Isaac Mayer Wise Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
“We are players in a game we don’t understand. Most of our own thinking is below awareness. “Our biases frequently cause us to want the wrong things. Our perceptions and memories are slippery, especially about our own mental states. Our free will is bounded. We have much less control over ourselves than we thought.” (Press Release)
Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman Dies at 90 Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Assembly Bill (AB) 2867 was introduced following a recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that has allowed a Spanish museum to retain possession of a famous Impressionist masterpiece stolen by the Nazis. [Press Release]
Legislation Would Aid Victims of Nazi Art Thefts Read More »
California, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music and Visual Arts, Press Release
Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – Joe Lieberman, who made history as the first Jewish vice presidential candidate for a major US party and lately returned to the spotlight as a leader of a push for a third candidate in the 2024 election, died Wednesday, US media reports said. Lieberman died in New York City
Joe Lieberman, first Jewish candidate to seek US vice presidency, dies Read More »
Jewish History, Nordot, Obituaries & memorials, USA
As we near the end of Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to reflect on the remarkable contributions of Jewish women to our community. For nearly 90 years, Jewish Federation of San Diego has been a beacon of hope, a force for good, and a pillar of support for the Jewish community – both locally and across the globe. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Master tailor Martin Greenfield gained a national reputation over the generations with his brand of fitted suits and men’s clothing worn by U.S. presidents and Hollywood celebrities alike. He died on March 20 at age 95. [JNS.org]
Martin Greenfield, Holocaust Survivor Who Became Tailor to Presidents, Dies at 95 Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, JNS, Obituaries & memorials, USA
Published by Euronews (English) “The echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate.” Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg said these words at a ceremony to honour the USC Shoah Foundation – a non-profit organisation he founded 30 years ago, which documents interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust. The 77-year-old director of Schindler’s List
Steven Spielberg: ‘The echoes of history are unmistakable in our current climate’ Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Shortly after the Holocaust, during which Frankl survived four concentration camps, he wrote Man’s Search for Meaning. It became an international best seller after it was published in English. The Library of Congress and the Book of the Month Club on the basis of a 1991 survey said it was one of the ten most influential books in the United States. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Viktor Frankl Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday
Reflecting on the Dreyfus affair, on the aggression of the anti-Dreyfusards, Blum puzzledly asked: “What drove them to do this? What drove them? Even today, 35 years later, when I reflect on the past with a mature, cold rationality, it seems to me that I still do not have some of the elements of an answer to this question.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Leon Blum, Natural Socialist Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) says that she is “outraged” that a global assistance program recently approved by the House of Representative “excludes funding for UNRWA, which is delivering irreplaceable, life-saving aid to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. Palestinian children are starving and need relief and cutting off U.S. support for UNRWA will worsen their suffering.” [SDJW staff]
Our Shtetl San Diego County: Congresswoman Jacobs ‘Outraged’ By Aid Cutoff to UNRWA Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
I was a battalion physician in Sinai during the Yom Kippur War. Those who fought and survived the 1973 Yom Kippur War hoped that the bitter lessons of that war had been learned and that Israel would never experience a similar catastrophe. Tragically, one day after the 50th anniversary of that war, history repeated itself with the devastating Hamas attack of October 7. The similarities between these events are chillingly striking. [Itzhak Brook, M.D.]
Yom Kippur War Vet Compares Its Causes to Those of War in Gaza Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The day, March 25, was selected because March 25, 1863, was the date when the first Medal of Honor was presented. It was awarded to Private Jacob Parrott for “extraordinary heroism in April, 1862, while serving in action with Company G, 21st Ohio Infantry, during the Andrew’s Raid in Georgia,” an event also known as “The Great Locomotive Chase.” [Dorian de Wind, The Moderate Voice]
Remembering and Honoring 18 Jewish Medal of Honor Recipients Read More »
Antisemitism, Dorian de Wind, Holocaust, Jewish History, The Moderate Voice, USA
My motto is never again, never forget, and never forgive. While some have criticized me for never forgiving the Nazis for what they did to my family, it is precisely this hatred that makes me the fighting Rabbi I am. I refuse to forgive. This is what motivates me to speak out against injustice wherever it may be found. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg]
OpEd: Purim and the Holocaust Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors