In this story, Chanukah is a day away when a bearded postman delivers a letter from the chief rabbi who writes that he is coming to Chelm tomorrow to celebrate Purim. [Donald H. Harrison]
A witty story about the ‘wise’ people of Chelm Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
I have wondered about the spiritual significance of October 7 occurring on Simchat Torah. Not because I believe G-d intended this tragedy, but because our calendar now brings these moments together, asking us to hold grief and renewal in the same sacred space. (Betzy Lynch)
Resilience from mass shootings a stop and go process Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In the aftermath of World War II, a train carries children away from the poverty of southern Italy toward the possibility of a better life. For one young boy, the journey brings opportunity, but it also forces him to confront difficult questions about family, love and where he belongs. [Cailin Acosta]
‘The Children’s Train’ probes displacement in post-WWII Italy Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, Navi Pillay, on Saturday said the sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday were unheard of and unacceptable. [SDJW staff roundup]
The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 10, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Let me introduce you to my Great Uncle Jacob. I am alive today, along with thousands of my relatives who now reside in Mexico and the United States, because Hashem chose Uncle Jacob to take us out of Triisk, Ukraine, and bring us to Mexico. As a result, we were all saved from the Nazi invasion of Ukraine in 1941, except for one sibling who chose to stay in Triisk. [Avraham Dimensteim]
Remembering my Great Uncle Jacob Read More »
Business & Finance, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Do Jews believe in angels? The Hebrew word for angel, mal’ach, means “messenger,” and in biblical sources, angels deliver specific information or carry out particular functions. In the Torah, an angel prevents Abraham from slaughtering his son Isaac. An angel appears to Moses in the burning bush and gives direction to the Israelites during the desert sojourn following the liberation from Egypt. Angels are associated with visions and prophecies. [Cailin Acosta]
Do Jews believe in angels? Read More »
animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
B’nai B’rith International is appalled and dismayed by the selection of Navi Pillay for the Nobel Peace Prize. This choice is not only unwarranted but offensive and damaging. It cheapens the world’s leading prize for peacemaking and further reinforces a sense of isolation by Jews facing a surge in global antisemitism. (Press Release)
B’nai B’rith International: Navi Pillay choice for Nobel Peace Prize is appalling Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Press Release
This week, the Trump administration announced it was bringing back public executions by firing squad and plans to livestream it, joining only Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia in allowing executions in the public square. (Halie Soifer)
The sacrifice bunt is sacred. In what other sport is a player cheered for giving up their own turn at bat, absorbing a statistical out, simply to advance their teammate ninety feet closer to home? That is covenant in action: recognizing that collective purpose eclipses personal ambition. Individual stardom produces box-score glory; shared sacrifice wins the pennant. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Why every baseball player should look upon ‘Bereishit’ as a favorite Torah portion Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Friday in Hebron, Kentucky, that he doesn’t know if the Pentagon ultimately will approve the Dec. 3 execution by firing squad for Fort Hood shooter Nidal Malik Hasan who in 2009 killed 13 people and wounded 32 others. (SDJW roundup)
The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 9, 2016 Read More »
Staff and Bylined Contributors, USASheikhdoon Abdullahi Mohamud, 18, was arrested on Tuesday by the FBI after he purchased from the federal law enforcement agency an AK-47 and 200 rounds of ammunition. (SDJW roundup)
The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: Oct. 8, 2026 Read More »
Travel and Food
LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — StandWithUs, the Israeli American Council, and Agudath Israel strongly reject City Councilmember Nithya Raman’s repeated false accusations against Israel in her campaign for Mayor of Los Angeles. Additionally, we are deeply concerned about her lack of moral clarity regarding the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign and Hasan Piker’s
Joint statement of StandWithUs, Israeli American Council, and Agudath Israel Read More »
Travel and Food
Natalya Murakhver of the Upper East Side took her two children from a public school in 2024 and said, “Things have progressed very quickly. The language changes, the caliber of the venom. I think we’re entering a new phase. Back then, I think they were at least trying to pretend it was just about Israel. And now it’s pretty clear to those for whom it wasn’t clear before that anti-Zionism is Jew hate and antisemitism as we know it.” (Bruce S. Ticker)
Anti-Israel forces take over New York City schools Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Chaya Ann Tober is a fourth grader growing up in New York City. Her initials, C.A.T., seem almost destined for her because Chaya is fascinated by cats. She loves her family’s cat, Ollie, and spends time wondering what cats do when people are not around. [Cailin Acosta]
A Jewish kid’s fantasy about a cat Read More »
animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors