For a Jewish writer, mythologization becomes a defense mechanism against a hostile reality. It helps him overcome the tragedy of reality. (Alex Gordon)
Readers will be familiar with references to Bible, Fasting, Halvah, Hebrew, Jews, Judaism, Kasha, Kreplach, Passover, Pita, Vareniki, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market. (Oliver B. Pollak)
How did I not see this book before about cuisine in world history? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
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
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
Louise’s parents want to shield her from knowledge of the antisemitism that brought an end to more than two millennia-long Jewish settlement in Iraq, once known as Babylon. [Donald H. Harrison]
History of Jews in Iraq cloaked in fantasy Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
A siddur does not merely tell Jews what words to say. Its primary purpose is to help congregants understand what they are saying and why: the meaning of what the siddur contains, their biblical and historical sources, and why ancestors suggested they read them. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Koren Publishers’ new siddur: An appraisal Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology
Humor appears alongside heartbreak, as it does in real life. Inspiration is earned rather than asserted. Resilience is shown in the slow, often invisible work of continuing to show up—for patients, for families, for one’s own life—after the worst has already happened. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Long-time chaplain draws inspiration from the dying Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Marlee Matlin (August 24, 1965) is an American actress, author, and advocate. Having been deaf since 18 months of age, she is known for her acting and for her activism on behalf of deaf individuals in Hollywood and other industries. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Marlee Matlin Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
He spent his entire adult life on the move. He constantly stayed in hotels and boarding houses. He was doomed to wander. He was a nomad who made significant contributions to the history of foreign countries. He was a cosmopolitan in a world where nationalism was raging. But Jews do not always manage to be cosmopolitans. Antisemitism has a great penetrating ability. (Alex Gordon)
Jewish biography: Savielly Tartakower, rootless chess grandmaster Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe Book of Samuel, which follows Judges, describes the emergence of kingship. Samuel begins in this atmosphere but does something much more complicated than simply saying, “Israel needs a king.” The book introduces Samuel, a prophet and judge; then Saul, Israel’s first king; and then David, Israel’s great kingThe crucial question becomes: Can human political power be exercised responsibly under God’s authority? That is precisely the question that interests Rabbi Silber. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Rabbi reviews another rabbi’s analysis of the biblical books of Samuel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Anti-Defamation League of San Diego announces “Confronting Extremism: Oren Segal in Conversation with Father Brent Kruger” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, in Carmel Valley. [Cailin Acosta]
Jews, Catholics to dialogue on counter measures to hate Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Shaul Tchernichovsky (August 20, 1875 – October 14, 1943) was a Russian-born Hebrew poet. He is considered one of the great Hebrew poets, identified with nature poetry, and a poet greatly influenced by the culture of ancient Greece. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Shaul Tchernichovsky Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Iceland had a population of about 115,000 in 1935. By the end of the decade Reykjavik’s population of about 28,000 included three “Jewish” musicians from Germany and Austria. (Oliver B. Pollak)
3 musicians find refuge from Nazi persecution in Iceland: A review of a review Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
What I liked most about Maus was that Vladek isn’t shown as a perfect hero. He is smart and resourceful, and he does whatever he can to survive, but he can also be cheap, stubborn, and difficult. Sometimes I didn’t really like him. That actually made the story feel more real to me. Surviving the Holocaust didn’t turn him into a perfect person. [CeCe Acosta]
Student book review: Maus by Art Spiegelman Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors