End of Love Season shown Tuesday morning, Feb. 4, at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival is a documentary film directed by Shai Gal in which he interviews his parents Geula and Arik. [Cailin Acosta]
After 55 Years of Marriage, Couple Literally Divides Their Home Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
David Wisnia from Poland was a prisoner at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex; Likewise, Helen Zipora “Zippy” Spitzer from Slovakia was also a prisoner. But neither of them was an ordinary prisoner; by virtue of wits and luck, each of them had been elevated to favored positions in the concentration camps’ heirarchy. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Lovers in Auschwitz’ Provides Hook to Teach Readers about the Holocaust Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, President Donald Trump has enacted several policies that have significantly strengthened the U.S.-Israel alliance. Even before he officially took office, Trump played a crucial role in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This agreement led to the release of numerous hostages, including children, women, and elderly men who had been abducted during the October 2023 attacks. [Miriam Gershenson]
Trump is Israel’s Good Friend– and He Proved It Again While Meeting Netanyahu Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Barrett Holman Leak has dedicated her life to being a bridge builder. With that in mind, it was no surprise that she noticed a gap between the Jewish and African American Jewish communities. Recognizing the need for connection, she decided to organize a shared Shabbat dinner. [Miriam Gershenson]
An associate professor here who questions how authorities will acquire information to deport anti-Israel foreign students may well be right. Therein lies the main rub with President Trump’s executive order to crush antisemitic activity when and where possible. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Identifying Antisemitic Foreign Students May Be Problematic for Trump’s Administration Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Ruth Kaplan is the volunteer I will be writing about for February. She has gone above and beyond helping newly arrived immigrants and refugees. (Mimi Pollack)
Ruth Kaplan: Going One Step Further to Help Immigrants and Refugees Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Rape survivors are questioned about their mental health, their ability to tell reality, their veracity and their recollection of events. Their dignity is diminished and they are accused of nefarious motives for reporting a crime. In The Accusation the blurry, dark hinterlands between “he said” and “she said” are vivid in this entry in the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival. [Barrett Holman Leak]
‘The Accusation’ at SD International Jewish Film Festival Tells Story of a Rape Trial Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
“One day at a time. One day after another” was the motto of Holocaust escapees Eugene Handschuh and his father Oscar. Accordingly, father and son submitted to the brutal schedule the Nazis forced on them until they perceived an opportunity to escape — not once, but twice. [Donald H. Harrison]
Young Readers Get a Taste of the Holocaust in ‘One Day’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined ContributorsAvenue of the Giants shown Monday morning at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival describes the unlikely friendship of Herbet Heller and teenager Abbey. The drama is directed by Finn Taylor. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Avenue of the Giants’ Connects Younger Generation with Older Ones Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The ensemble consisted of seven members, one being a male. Each one had a unique style and “voice” in their way of dancing, interacting with the audience, and the general presence on stage. While each was different, together they created a cohesive experience for the viewers that was incredibly engaging. The performance was full of surprising props that one would not consider instruments such as spoons and bubble wrap as well as traditional instruments such as drums, and a keyboard. [Miriam Gershenson]
Drumatix Performance Features Percussion and Improvisation Read More »
Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Miriam Gershenson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
What spoke loudly throughout the February 2 event was the realization among the American Jewish community that standing strong in the fight against the pervasive antisemitism ravaging American society (including school and university campuses) means standing together with non-Jewish allies. [Barrett Holman Leak]
AJC Calls for Standing Together, Fighting Antisemitism through Alliances Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Holocaust Survivors and staffers for the Jewish Federation of San Diego conspired with Ron Cohn of the Cohn Restaurant Group on Friday, Jan. 31, to surprise Sandy Scheller, curator of the exhibit RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust, now being shown at the La Jolla Library. [Mike Wallenfels]
Curator of ‘RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust’ A Guest of Honor at Surprise Luncheon Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The audience at the Jewish Community Center who attended Breaking Silence: The Story of Janis Ian truly got a special treat, with the singer/ songwriter herself in attendance to answer questions from the crowd. [Sandy Scheller]
As a result of The United States–Israel Free Trade Agreement signed in 1985, there are few tariffs or duties on goods traded between the United States and Israel. But there are still some tariffs in effect between the two countries. This includes United States tariffs on Israeli “meat of bovine animals,” and Israeli tariffs on live fish including tilapia, carp, and trout. What tariffs has Israel imposed on other countries? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Tariffs Read More »
International, Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA