Jewish History

The Eitingon Saga, Part 2: Nahum Eitingon, Soviet Assassin

He was engaged in the organization of espionage and sabotage operations, among which stand out the assassination of the leader of North China and Manchuria Zhang Zolin (1928), the kidnapping of prominent members of the White movement, Generals Alexander Kutepov (1930) and Eugene Miller (1937) in France, and an unsuccessful attempt and then the murder of Lev Trotsky in Mexico (1940). [Alex Gordon]

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

The Mitzvah of Donating Blood

A week ago, I donated another pint of my O negative blood as my eight weeks had passed which made me eligible. I like to post it on my Facebook page to remind me when I donated and all those that I am friends with know I have their backs if they ever need me to save their lives. Or to also remind them to be extra nice to me as I recover and rest and hydrate. Sometimes the effects can last one to two days after. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Rabbi Leads Chanukah ‘Candle Lighting’ aboard Azamara’s Onward

A life-long learner, Ham radio operator, ardent Zionist, Reconstructionist rabbi whose wife Ilene Schneider also is a Reconstructionist rabbi, Gans welcomed between 40 and 50 people to candle lighting ceremonies on the first night of Chanukah on Wednesday, Dec. 25, in the Cabaret Lounge, the ship’s main showroom.  Azamara’s Onward had just completed a Christmas Day transit through the Panama Canal. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Claims Conference to Host Star-Studded Salute to Holocaust Survivors

The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) announced that the 8th annual International Holocaust Survivors Night (IHSN) will be held globally – and virtually – on the fifth night of Chanukah, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, at 11 a.m. Pacific Time. [Press Release]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Press Release

Rabbi Whose Family Were Conversos Now Heads a Colombian Sephardic Congregation

On a recent visit to this port city, I was among a group of four Jews who were escorted by a guide to a five-month-old Sephardic congregation (Sinagoga Sefardi) established by Rabbi Joachim Montoya, a medical doctor who had converted to Judaism after learning that he was descended from a family of Conversos. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

The Eitingon Saga: Part 1, Max Eitingon, Psychoanalyst

By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — Max Eitingon was born on June 26, 1881, in Mogilev, Russia, into the family of a fur trader who successfully continued the family business. In 1893 the Eitingon family left Russia and moved to Germany, to Leipzig, where Max’s father became one of the largest entrepreneurs, nicknamed “Leipzig Rothschild”.

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Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Many Jews Involved in Search for Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)

Many UAP organizations have formed since the December 2017 publication of a groundbreaking New York Times article exposing a UAP program at the Pentagon (co-authored by a Jewish journalist), and I have been fortunate to contribute to some of them. It has been surprising to meet so many fellow Jews who contribute to these same UAP organizations, sharing a passion for the topic as well as observance of the Jewish religion. Jews are indeed an “over-represented minority” in the UAP field. (Kerry Eskenas Schlossberg)

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Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity

It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]

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

The Life Journey of a Mexican Jewish Zionist

We arrived at the airport and went straight to the event where I was to deliver my speech. I was on the bus with my suitcases, and of course, I didn’t know Hebrew. On the way, I wrote part of my speech. When I sat at the head table, I was trembling with nerves, and suddenly, I felt someone hug me warmly. To my surprise, it was Golda Meir, the legendary Prime Minister of Israel. Her embrace deeply moved me. [José Galicot]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Billings, Montana, Set an Example of Brotherly Love after a Rock was Hurled through a Little Jewish Boy’s Window

When the police chief came to investigate, he concluded that it was done by the same group of neo-Nazis who had been harassing African Americans. Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and gays and lesbians. Previously, a swastika signboard had been nailed to the Beth Aaron Synagogue, and Jewish tombstones had been pushed over in the cemetery. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘The Ice Cream Man,’ a Holocaust Short, Screened by Chabad of RSF

A packed crowd attended the San Diego County premiere of The Ice Cream Man hosted by Drs William and Laura Freeman.  Chabad of RSF Rabbi Levi and Rebbetzin Devorah Raskin invited viewers to wonderful delectables followed by ice cream. [Sandy Scheller]

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

Jewish Trivia Quiz: South Korea

The ‍first ‍Jews ‍to ‍settle ‍in ‍Korea ‍included ‍Jewish ‍soldiers ‍who ‍fought ‍there ‍during ‍the ‍Korean ‍War ‍in ‍the ‍early ‍1950’s. ‍A ‍Chabad ‍House ‍was ‍established ‍in ‍2008, ‍and ‍a ‍mikveh ‍was ‍opened ‍in ‍2019. ‍What ‍book ‍that ‍is ‍connected ‍to ‍Judaism ‍or ‍Israel ‍is ‍a ‍best ‍seller ‍in ‍South ‍Korea? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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

Jewish Biography: Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosopher and Logician

At the age of 14, Ludwig left his parents’ home to attend a real gymnasium in Linz, where his fellow student was Adolf Schicklgruber, the future Hitler, who was born six days earlier than Wittgenstein. Although the Wittgenstein family had converted to Christianity, they were considered Jews throughout the neighborhood. Therefore, the appearance of a Jew in the classroom provoked the ill-will of his classmates and the hatred of Hitler. “This Jew we did not particularly trust, […] we doubted his trustworthiness,” Hitler wrote in Mein Kampf. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors