They spot the large mosaic sign above the door of the hall with the familiar word “Bienvenidos, Welcome,” among greetings in multiple languages, including the Hebrew: “Baruch Habah” ברוך הבא, Blessed are those who come.” [Claudia Gold]
A vision for the White House ballroom Read More »
Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I will be hosting the program and my guest will be Jerusalem-born Sari Esserman, who will introduce several of the songs and tell us about her early life in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood. Currently a resident of La Jolla, Sari is a respected artist, working in pottery and producing vibrant paintings in oils and pastels. [Eileen Wingard]
JCC presents June 4 musical program in honor of Jerusalem Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Eileen Wingard, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Sarah and Yaron, who were murdered outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., following an AJC ACCESS D.C. Young Diplomats reception on May 21, 2025, were dedicated staffers at the Israeli Embassy and passionate about building a better, more connected, and more peaceful future. (Press Release)
AJC confers award on murdered young Israeli diplomats Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Press Release, USA
Yisrael Meir Lau (June 1, 1937) is a Holocaust survivor who served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Yisrael Meir Lau Read More »
Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Her theorem on differential invariants in the calculus of variations, Nöther’s theorem, has been called “one of the most important mathematical theorems used in modern physics.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Emmy Nöther, mathematician Read More »
Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
When the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union with more than 3 million members, is charged with discriminatory practices in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, voters should take notice. [Marsha Sutton]
Before the Baal Shem Tov, Judaism was often centered on texts, scholarship, and institutions. The Baal Shem Tov shifted the focus toward people. He taught that G-d could be found not only in study halls, but also in conversations, melodies, shared meals, acts of kindness, and human connection. [Betzy Lynch]
The Baal Shem Tov and modern-day visitors from Sha’ar HaNegev Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Tthe premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s new live-action series “Spider-Noir” proves that the two are inextricably linked. Dropping its entire eight-episode first season on Wednesday May 27, 2026, the series arrived as a cinematic triumph that can be watched in standard color or a gorgeous, authentic, high-contrast black-and-white film noir cut that honors the golden age of cinema. (Barrett Holman Leak)
Spider-Noir’s’ deep Jewish and San Diego roots Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The U.S. Treasury Department is designing a $250 bill that will feature Donald Trump’s face to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Since I’ve grown accustomed to Trump putting his name and picture on everything, all I ask is for truth in advertising for currency and merchandise. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Truth in advertising for presidential products Read More »
Business & Finance, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
With Shavuot over, we are in a bit of a lull in “when is the next celebration or observance.” It is a nice time to just focus on Shabbat weekly and just be present in the moment. [Cailin Acosta]
During the summer lull, perhaps you can take Hebrew or Ladino courses Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Trump’s blatant corruption and abuse of power, enabled by the Supreme Court’s elimination of guardrails on the presidency, have created unprecedented threats to our democracy and freedom. A Democratic win in 2026 is essential to restoring checks and balances, transparency, and accountability in government. [Halie Soifer]
JDCA works to restore Jewish trust in the Democratic party Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
(I) could not contemplate any journey without having a book to read. But last week I had to endure that half-hour journey without proper reading matter, a predicament I hope never to have to repeat. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Without a book to read, author mulls eight novels she wrote Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodPsychologists who study material culture suggest that tchotchkes function as “externalized memory drives.” In a fast-moving world, our brains are notoriously unreliable narrators. We forget the exact smell of the salt air on a vacation from 2012; we forget the specific cadence of a late-night conversation with an old friend. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Tchotchkes: Why we cling to the things with no use Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
If you are one of the people, like my son, who has never seen either the 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews or the play, which has long been a high-school musical favorite, here’s a quick run-down. [Sandi Masori]
Enjoy ‘The Sound of Music,’ but please don’t break out in song Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food