Some congregations have Jewish name ceremonies who have either converted or were not given one at birth. I let my daughter pick her own Jewish name when she was six years old. She chose Esther… [Cailin Acosta]
2nd day of Shavuot honors the biblical Ruth, a Jew by choice Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
My mom loved to be silly and was able to find humor in most situations. After she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in January 2022, she asked, “How did these cancer cells get to all these other parts of my body? Are they, like, campers hiking around and setting up campsites roasting marshmallows around a fire? Wouldn’t that be a funny sketch?” [Amanda Miller]
Jewish daughter pays tribute to her late ‘Show Biz’ mom Terry Miller Read More »
Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By strengthening the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, bolstering protections for Jewish students, and increasing accountability for online platforms, this bill equips law enforcement, educators, and communities with the tools they need to respond. (Press Release)
ADL lauds the just-introduced Jewish American Security Act Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA
The volume contains Maimonides’ Introduction to Mishne Torah, Sefer Hamadda and Sefer Ahava, in Hebrew and English, with Ravad’s glosses on Maimonides’ text. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Maimonides and his critics engage in a halakhic discussion in this Steinsaltz edition Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
As I read the message the memory of the composer, Verdina Shlonsky, and her articles about French composers she had known in Paris, came flooding back. I recalled her as a kind, elderly lady who lived in a small apartment on the top floor of an old Tel Aviv building with virtually no furniture other than a piano and a couch. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
An echo from the past Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology
We have long believed that security cannot be an afterthought for any community of faith — and today is a devastating reminder that this reality extends to every house of worship in our city and across the country. That is why we are in Washington fighting for resources that protect communities like the one attacked today. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Five people are dead, including suspected teenage shooters Cain Clark and Caleb Vazquez in the wake of an attack on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Two of the other three victims were not immediately identified, but one was security guard Amin Abdullah whom law enforcement officials said may have prevented a much larger death toll. [Donald H. Harrison]
5 die in aftermath of gunfire at Islamic Center of San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contributions Jewish Americans have made to our state and nation, while also reflecting on the values that have sustained our community across generations – our commitment to justice, learning, service, and repairing the world,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. [Press Release]
Rabbi Devorah Marcus, 13 others, honored at California Capitol Read More »
California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
The fun and spectacle of the show were tempered a bit by proprietors Erin and Gary Lewis’ announcement that due to their funding being cancelled by the City of San Diego as part of the sweeping cuts to the arts and culture budget, they need to raise $100,000 or the next show, Rock of Ages won’t be staged. [Sandi Masori]
Seussical the Musical is ‘pleasure-ical’ but arts funding is not Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The extra security at the event made it clear why many academics and administrators might refuse such an elephantine gift: the dangers of conflict and protest on our campuses could far outweigh the benefit of an academic panel discussion. [Eran A. Mukamel]
UCSD panel on antisemitism provided valuable information Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The main scientific achievement of Lina Stern was the discovery and detailed study of the blood-brain barrier, the hemato-encephalic barrier—a protective mechanism that regulates the exchange of substances between the blood and the brain. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Lina Stern, Soviet trailblazer in biochemistry Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Long before phrases like “immersive engagement” and “experiential Judaism” became common communal language, Jewish camp was already doing that work. Camp created environments where Judaism was not confined to a classroom or a single hour each week. Judaism became woven into the rhythm of daily life through songs, Shabbat under the stars, Hebrew cheers, Israeli dancing, storytelling, friendship, color wars, mentorship, and shared memories that would last a lifetime. [Betzy Lynch]
The importance of Jewish camping Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Coverage of Israel often portrayed it as a destabilizing force rather than a necessary refuge for a shattered people. By the 1970s and 1980s, legitimate policy critique sometimes slid into rhetoric about excessive Jewish power and dual loyalty. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
New York Times and antisemitism: the Jewish enemy within Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, News Media, Shanda File, USA
When I told my friend, who owns a smart lock, about the product, his ears perked up immediately. He mentioned that this was his biggest issue with his smart lock in India, and if a retrofit existed, he would jump at the chance to get one. [Shor M. Masori]
Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Israel, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA