Many synagogues held candlelight vigils in honor of the six million Jews who perished, including the 1.5 million children who inspired the locally-based Butterfly Project. [Cailin Acosta]
Thoughts of butterflies and upcoming Jewish events Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Many people attributed the rise in antisemitic activity to a lack of education about the Nazi period. They questioned what West German students were learning about their country’s recent past. [Daniela R. P. Weiner]
It is a phrase uttered with a smile, a wink, and the clinking of glasses. Yet, to dismiss this as harmless folklore is to ignore the blood-soaked soil from which such language grew and the moral rot it continues to nourish in the modern era. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Spain must ban its celebratory medieval toast ‘kill Jews’ Read More »
International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Any durable agreement must end with Hezbollah dismantled as a military threat. This is not simply Israel’s demand — it is the Lebanese people’s as well. [Press Release]
Democratic Majority for Israel lauds 10-day ceasefire with Lebanon Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Press Release
This measure reflects the enduring historical and cultural ties of the Jewish People to their ancestral homeland and reinforces the importance of the use of accurate place names in government affairs, education, media, and public conversation. [Press Release]
Tennessee legislature sends ‘Judea and Samaria’ directive to governor Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
You spoke in a way that disconnected you? Learn to speak differently.
You carried yourself with unexamined certainty? Practice humility.
You became disconnected? Relearn how to re-enter. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parshiot Tazria-Metzora: Path to spiritual renewal Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
For years, Israel operated with restraint – responding, containing, managing. But over time, restraint was too often read as weakness. And when that happens, the calculus doesn’t just shift – it demands to be rewritten. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]
Israel’s changed paradigm Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Roni Breite spotted this one in Fallbrook. “Ruach” is the Hebrew word for spirit. “LV” is anyone’s guess. The driver’s initials? Las Vegas? Love?
American Jewish Committee welcomes Tuesday’s direct talks between Israel and Lebanon as an important and constructive step toward reducing tensions and advancing stability along their shared border. (Press Release)
AJC commends U.S., Israel and Lebanon for peace talks Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Press Release, USA
We have strong reason to be concerned about Israel’s military response to Oct. 7. Thousands of civilians were killed in bombing in large part because Hamas built its operations where the people of Gaza live, attend school and receive medical care, so civilian deaths were all but guaranteed. However, it very much appears that Israel went way too far with its attacks, and in the current war American planes killed an estimated 160 schoolgirls, presumably by mistake. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Blame for civilian deaths shared by all belligerents in Middle East war Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday announced the athletes and media personnel who will be inducted later this year as the class of 2026, joining over 500 sports figures who have been so honored since 1979. [Press Release]
This year’s inductees into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Sports & Competitions, USA
The board of Shaarei Tfiloh begged Dad to allow the synagogue to move uptown, but Dad said it was wrong; it was immoral and disrespectful. By the early 1960s, after many Jews fled to the suburbs, there were only about 500 congregants on the High Holidays, down from 1500. Dad’s salary was severely reduced, but he still refused to move. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
My Dad, Nathan Drazin, was a Hero Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAIt’s that time of year again with the many Yom observances. Jewish Federation of San Diego has a few coming up that are always meaningful. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Tis the time of the Yoms Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
During the ceremony, the “Jewish Rescuer Citation” was presented to four rescuers who operated in the Netherlands, Poland and France. The citation—a joint program of the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers during the Holocaust—has recognized 667 heroes since its inception in 2011. The awards were presented to the rescuers’ family members by Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith World Center; Katz; and Gerbi. [Press Release]
Jewish rescuers recognized during Yom HaShoah ceremony in Jerusalem Read More »
Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release