Israel

Jewish Biography: Claude Vigee: the wandering Jewish poet

Claude described himself as a “Jew and an Alsatian, thus doubly Alsatian and doubly Jewish”. He associated the wanderings of the Jewish people with the suffering of the inhabitants of Alsace, a land of discord between France and Germany. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Something neither of us could build alone

This brief story captures the heart of the Jewish value of arevut, shared responsibility. In life, we often imagine that we are accountable only for ourselves, that “our seat” is private. Judaism insists otherwise. What we do affects those around us. Our fates are intertwined. We rise or fall together. [Betzy Lynch]

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

With Support from Adelson Family, Bar-Ilan University Establishes Israel’s First Institute for the Synthesis of Smart Materials

Bar-Ilan University President Prof. Arie Zaban: “Science contains countless dimensions that we have yet to fully grasp—and that is the story we are building here today. The ability to produce multidimensional ‘smart’ materials represents a transformative step forward. [PRESS RELEASE]

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Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

Parshas Yisro – Here Comes the Sunshine

Fast forward fifty years, and our Tu B’Shvat experience is quite different. Here in Eretz Yisrael, not only are the major holidays celebrated throughout the country and across all lines, but even the minor festivals have been transformed into major events. [Rabbi Avraham Bogopulsky]

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

OpEd: Jewish forces are ready to confront the perceived enemy

New York City’s new mayor faces two initiatives aimed at precluding any of his actions that Jewish leaders fear might harm Israel or their fellow Jews in the Big Apple. Predictably, the 34-year-old Mamdani will face a firestorm if he does anything that is perceived as damaging. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

American Jews in the face of Jewish catastrophes

As might be expected after Kristallnacht, for American Jews the fate of European Jews during the Holocaust was of little interest, a secondary issue. No Jewish solidarity was shown by them. Their reaction was “disproportionate,” ignoring the dangers facing the Jewish people in Europe. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the news: Saturday evening, Jan. 31, 2026

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports two Major League Baseball developments with Jewish athletes: Third baseman Alex Bregman has signed a five-year, $175 million pact with the Chicago Cubs, and Alon Leichman, who grew up on Kibbutz Gezer in Israel, will become the head pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, News Media, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holocaust and hostage survivors have much in common

As we hold tight to the stories of those still alive from the Holocaust, we will be holding tight to the stories of the hostages from Oct.7. They will always show resilience and the power of prayer that helped them survive. (Cailin Acosta)

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Jews in the news: Friday, Jan. 30, 2026

Historian Rafael Medoff reports that he and 111 other Holocaust scholars from around the world have signed a letter protesting the “Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention” using the name of Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word ‘genocide,’ without the permission of the Lemkin family. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

It feels like one big global family as Jews from the Americas and Israel meet in Mexico City

 Throughout the visit, we were constantly struck by the powerful sense of connection and peoplehood we experienced. After speaking with the head of the Maccabi program in Guatemala for just five minutes, we had invited one another to visit our homes, and it already felt like we had known each other for far longer. (Heidi Gantwerk)

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jews in the news: Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and President Donald Trump have negotiated a deal to fund the government. Schumer announced that the agreement calls for five bipartisan bills funding most of the government would be approved as is, while the bill allocating funds to the Department of Homeland Security would be approved with a two-week continuing resolution …

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Opinion: Protesters dishonor Holocaust victims as they seek to denigrate Israel

I get chills every time I stand before any haunting symbol for our six million brethren, and the millions of others who died for being who they were. I suppose I felt guilt and shame for having escaped their fate because of timing and location. I was born in a free country five years after the Jewish people’s cruelest nightmare ended. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Bruce Ticker, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA