USA

‘Mostly Kosher’ is Such a Nice Band, a Mechayeh!

The band has performed at California Adventure for the past eight seasons. In 2017, I happened to walk past the winery where they were playing and stopped in my tracks, thrilled to hear Yiddish and klezmer jams. Ever since, I’ve made it a point to ensure they’re on the schedule. My teens insist this officially makes me a “groupie.” [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025

ZAKA’s CEO, Dubi Weissenstern, commented “Tonight is more than a milestone; it is a living testament to the holy work our volunteers do every day.  Our teams run toward pain so others can find comfort. They bring dignity and light where there is chaos and loss. Our concert honor their courage and the supporters who make it possible.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

California Adventures Celebrates Chanukah with Tchotchkes, Clothing and Food

From November through January, California Adventures transforms into a full-blown celebration of the winter holidays. Not just Christmas, but Diwali, Chanukah, and Navidad as well. The Festival of Holidays brings live performances, specialty food booths, and seasonal drinks. Guests can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass to sample a variety of offerings or buy items à la carte. [Cailin Acosta]

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Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Kosher Beer

Many national, regional, and local craft beers will no longer be acceptable after January 1, including Sierra Nevada and Dos Equis. What is one of the ingredients that is occasionally added to some craft beers that would render the drink unkosher if not certified? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA, Wikipedia

Did Jewry Abandon the Fight for Racial Justice?

Dollinger challenges the standard narrative that Jews were simply “kicked out” of the Civil Rights movement by radical Black activists. Instead, he argues that Jews actively made choices to prioritize their own newfound status and ethnic identity over the continued struggle for racial justice. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, assisted by a delegation that included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner along with Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, said Sunday that progress had been made in negotiations with Ukraine and its European allies on revising President Trump’s 28-point pro-Russian peace plan. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rosenwald School Marker Dedicated in Natchez, Mississippi

Bobby Dennis is the Executive Director of the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. A year and a half ago, I reached out to him about placing a historical interpretive marker in Adams County, Mississippi, to interpret, remember, and honor the struggle for Black American educational opportunity and the Rosenwald Schools in Adams. [Jerry Klinger]

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Jerry Klinger, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Rededicating Ourselves to Judaism in Time for Hanukkah

Although it’s considered a relatively minor holiday in the Jewish calendar, it is widely observed, even by Jews who identify more culturally than religiously. Perhaps that’s because there’s no requirement to attend synagogue for Hanukkah. The irony is delicious: a holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple does not require you to step foot in one. [Betzy Lynch]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Nov. 22, 2025

What Greene will do after her resignation takes effect is a matter of speculation. Earlier this year, she ruled out running in statewide contests for Georgia governor and for the U.S. Senate seat occupied by Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff. Some believe she plans to seek MAGA support to run for the presidency. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Nov. 22, 2025 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Satire: Donald Trump’s Greatest Hits

For the Christmas season Donald Trump has produced an album of his favorite songs sung by his political allies. Since he is certain that it will outsell every album ever released, he plans to substitute gold for vinyl and charge $1000 payable only in $TRUMP cryptocurrency.  Here’s a list of the songs and the singing artists. [Laurie Baron]

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Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

The U.S. Coast Guard appeared to be making a quick turnaround on its previously reported decision to no longer classify swastikas, nooses, and Confederate flags as “hate symbols” but instead to label them as “potentially divisive.” {Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA