Jewish History

The Lion’s Trail Through Biblical Israel: First in a Series

  By Jerry Klinger BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Benny Kashriel, the mayor of Ma’ale Adumim, a bedroom community of 30,000 just over the Green Line from Jerusalem, shared with me in November 2022 that Ma’ale Adumim is mentioned in the book of Joshua 18:17. The mayor presented me with a special recognition.  Judy and I […]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Music and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Biographer of Abe Cahan Illuminates a Bygone Era

The newspaper also taught new immigrants about American folkways—dishing out advice on such diverse topics as how baseball is played, how Americans set their tables, and to sneeze into handkerchiefs to avoid spreading germs in crowded tenements. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Pearl Takes Over as JCF’s President and CEO

Jeremy Pearl: “Since the October 7th attacks on Israel, our donors have directed $10,606,324 to 99 organizations supporting needs from crisis management to mental health support.” (SDJW staff)

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Leo Frank

He was an American factory superintendent and lynching victim. He was convicted in 1913 of the murder of a 13-year-old employee, Mary Phagan, in Atlanta, Georgia. Frank’s trial, conviction, and unsuccessful appeals attracted national attention. His kidnapping from prison and lynching became the focus of social, regional, political, and racial concerns, particularly regarding antisemitism. Modern researchers generally agree that Frank was wrongly convicted. [Wikipedia]

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Antisemitism, Jewish History, USA, Wikipedia

A Time for Israel to Decide: Herzl or Rav Kook

Herzl and Rav Kook differ greatly in both their diagnoses of what ails the Jewish people, and their programs for what needs to be done. For Herzl the problem is antisemitism, and the solution is an internationally recognized Jewish state achieved through negotiations. For Rav Kook the problem is Exile and the solution is for Jews to return to the Land of Israel. [Rabbi Philip Graubart]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Biography: Eduard Bernstein, Socialist Reformer

In 1878, Bernstein read Friedrich Engels’ just-published book Anti-Dühring, under the influence of which he became a Marxist and entered into correspondence with the author of the book, who later became his friend. Engels accused the philosopher Eugene Dühring of “Judophobia exaggerated to the point of caricature.” [Alex Gordon]

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

How Will Israel Respond?

In the moment, I’m writing while rockets and drones from Iran have just attacked Israel. The American president’s “Don’t” didn’t deter Iran from unleashing 300 drones, rockets, and missiles against “the little Satan,” Israel. Now is the time for Israel to switch from its defensive posture to an active offense against Iran. There will never be a more opportune time! [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

Community Yom HaShoah Observance Set for JCC on Sunday, May 5

In an era where the lessons of history risk being forgotten or distorted, the theme of this year’s program, “Coming Together in Strength & Unity,” underscores the importance of community solidarity in standing against rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial. Only together can we ensure that the commitment to “Never Again” remains unwavering. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Spain’s Influence on Jewish Music A Highlight of Upcoming Tour to be Led by Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz

After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1495, the two largest migrations were to North Africa and to the Ottoman Empire. It was when I first traveled to Romania and Bulgaria (initially researching klezmer) that I met Jews who traced their heritage back to the Iberian Peninsula. Some of these Jews sang songs in Ladino and others played Sephardic music. [Yale Strom]

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International, Jewish History, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Envy, Jealousy Aroused by Jews Prompted ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ Forgery

The German historian, philologist and jurist Theodor Mommsen, author of The History of Rome and winner of the 1902 Nobel Prize for Literature, however, gave a rational explanation for the satanic design of antisemitism: its main cause was rooted in “envy and primal instincts, […] a barbaric hatred of education, freedom and humanism.” [Alex Gordon]

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