According to Pew Research Center, over 50% of American Jews said ancestry and culture are essential to what being Jewish means to them, while 36% said religion. More than a quarter describe themselves as Jews of no religion. (Press Release)
In recent years, several countries have imposed restrictions or suspensions on arms sales to Israel, including the United Kingdom, which suspended 30 out of 350 export licenses in September 2024 due to concerns over international humanitarian law “violations” (Steve Kramer)
Increasingly western democracies decline to sell arms to Israel Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA
While watching Peacemaker, season 2, I thought about how the portrayal of Nazis in popular media creates a dilemma for the Jewish people. The DC Comics television show was about an obscure anti-hero who found an alternate universe in which the Nazis won World War II and became the prevailing political party in America. The Nazis were the villains of the story. But no Jewish people were portrayed in the show. [Evan R. Goldman]
Jewish dilemma in popular media portrayals of Nazis Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Twas the night before the night before Rosh Hashanah and all through the land, the rabbis were schvitzing, were their services all planned? [Joshua Kail]
The night before Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Rabbi Marc Schneier celebrated his 36th anniversary as founding senior rabbi of The Hampton Synagogue on Sunday evening. He was joined by Israel’s Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Kalman Ber and by his father, Rabbi Arthur Schneier, a child Holocaust survivor from Vienna and the rabbi of Park East Synagogue. (Press Release)
Israel’s Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi visits the Hamptons to dedicate a Torah Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, USA
I caught up with Matt Tierney and Director Cassidy Kaye over Zoom and was able to learn more about their production of Tick, Tick…Boom! The New York cast will be bringing this show to Diversionary for 20 shows beginning September 10th. (Eva Trieger)
Time is running out: Tick, Tick…Boom! coming to Diversionary Read More »
Eva Trieger, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The story ignites when veteran Atlantic City Detective Alex Waldman answers an early-morning homicide call and discovers a Black teenager with a knife protruding from his ribs. The gruesome scene instantly resurrects psychological ghosts and unresolved PTSD Alex has spent twelve years trying to bury. [Amy Neustein]
‘Blurred Vision’: A suspense-filled examination of the working of cults Read More »
Amy Neustein, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
There is no single Jewish way to experience September 11. Some will pray. Some will attend a communal gathering. Some will read names or stories. Some will prefer quiet reflection. Some may find the anniversary difficult enough that they need to step away from the news and give themselves space. All of these can be legitimate ways of remembering. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
September 11: From darkness to light, a Jewish way Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Sophia can diagnose echo chambers and still miss the oldest hatred in the room. She can ask people to listen and still not hear what it means when a Jewish man erases his name to sell certainty to a crowd. She can talk about systems and still treat Jews as a complication rather than as people who can be hunted. (Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel)
By Alex Gordon in Haifa, Israel After the implementation of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Jewish population of the USSR increased by approximately two million people. The annexation of Western Ukraine, Western Belarus, the Baltic States, Bessarabia, and Northern Bukovina resulted in the total Jewish population of the USSR reaching five million people. As a result
Jewish biography: Yakov Parnas Read More »
Travel and Food
“The rise of antisemitism is undeniable, and our communities must be protected. AB 2664 gives communities an important tool to push back against harassment and intimidation and protect the sanctity of our houses of worship.” (Press Release)
Legislature establishes 100-foot safety zones around houses of worship Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, Press Release
Mary is a Catholic and stated “I wear a crucifix and love it.” As for the Star of David she doesn’t “want to offend anyone but I want to gift it to someone who will appreciate it.” (Oliver B. Pollak)
The homeless Star of David Read More »
Jewish Religion, Judaism, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The first, Thursday afternoon, September 3, at 2 p.m. will showcase the music of Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn, the Jewish-born grandchildren of Moses Mendelssohn, one of the greatest Jewish theologians and philosophers of his time. (Eileen Wingard)
JCC to sponsor lectures on classical Jewish composers Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This is one way Hasidic tradition helps us understand hashgachah pratit – Divine Providence: the possibility that the seemingly small and disconnected details of our lives may be part of something larger. [Betzy Lynch]
Many lives are connected by invisible threads Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share