International

Some Projects Jewish Federation Supports in Sha’ar HaNegev, Israel

Thanks to contributions to our Israel Emergency Fund, hope and resilience continue to take root in Sha’ar HaNegev and across Israel. I want to share how your generosity has been put to work as Israel rebuilds, recovers, and looks toward a stronger future. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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California, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

New Zealand Conductor Leads San Diego Symphony Orchestra in Joyful Concert

Following intermission, conductor Gemma New returned to lead the SDSO in Mendelssohn’s Italian Symphony. The four-movement work was inspired by Mendelssohn’s nine-month visit to Italy at the age of 21. The music is full of sunshine, opening with a happy theme in the violins. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Book Tells of Works and Lives of Latter Day Biblical Prophets

Her book not only informs readers about the Bible, the history and mindset of the times, but also about the effects of all of this then and today. Most of the 286 pages are composed with the primary text in the top half, with an abundance of intriguing, informative details in the notes below. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Ancient Jewish Kings

King Jeroboam of the Kingdom of Israel forced the people to participate in idolatrous practices, King Ahab of Israel built a temple for Baal, and Kings Zimri, Jehu, Shallum, Menahem, Pekah and many more became kings by assassinating their predecessors. What was Athaliah, whose reign followed the assassination of King Ahaziah in the Kingdom of Judah, known for? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Women Who Led Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Profiled in New Book

The narrative is gripping and intense—a true “wild ride.” With so many names and situations to follow, it demands the reader’s full attention, yet it’s nearly impossible to put down. For anyone interested in World War II history, this is a must-read. [Sandra Scheller]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Trump Backs One Palestinian Faction and Then Another

It all spells out a truism that should surprise nobody: Trump is too dangerous to trust to decide the Middle East’s fate or direct the implementation of his program. Millions of Americans can attest to Trump’s abuse of power and his habit of contradicting himself on a wide range of issues. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive VP of the Orthodox Union, Dead at 60

“Rabbi Hauer was an exemplar of what it meant to be a Torah Jew. Torah framed his life, and he used Torah to frame our lives,” said Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the OU, who spoke in both Jerusalem and New York. “I have lost a brother,” Joseph said, describing his close working relationship with Rabbi Hauer as they led the OU together for the past five years. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, USA

Jewish Biography: Yuli Khariton, Soviet Nuclear Physicist

In an atmosphere of utmost secrecy, work was being carried out in Sarov, culminating in the successful testing of the first Soviet atomic (August 29, 1949) and hydrogen (August 12, 1953) bombs. The name and surname of the chief designer and scientific leader of the Nuclear Project, Yuli Khariton, were classified. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Tifereth Israel Congregants Gather Ahead of Funeral to Mourn Volunteer Extraordinaire Phil Lorang

Formal funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Park. More than 100 people gathered informally Sunday in the social hall of Tifereth Israel Synagogue to share their memories for more than an hour. Here’s a partial summary of what was said about Phil in a session moderated by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, who described him as “a role model of kindness and chesed.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘The Stamp Thief’ Documentary Screened at Temple Adat Shalom

As I watched the audience, I noticed that no one moved—everyone was completely captivated. The film evoked every emotion imaginable: sadness, anticipation, and yes, even laughter—something rarely experienced when viewing stories connected to the Holocaust. [Sandra Scheller]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast