Buddy Elias (June 2, 1925 – March 16, 2015) was a German-born Swiss actor and president of the Anne Frank Fonds, the foundation dedicated to preserving the memory of his cousin Anne Frank. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Buddy Elias Read More »
Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
They spot the large mosaic sign above the door of the hall with the familiar word “Bienvenidos, Welcome,” among greetings in multiple languages, including the Hebrew: “Baruch Habah” ברוך הבא, Blessed are those who come.” [Claudia Gold]
A vision for the White House ballroom Read More »
Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I will be hosting the program and my guest will be Jerusalem-born Sari Esserman, who will introduce several of the songs and tell us about her early life in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood. Currently a resident of La Jolla, Sari is a respected artist, working in pottery and producing vibrant paintings in oils and pastels. [Eileen Wingard]
JCC presents June 4 musical program in honor of Jerusalem Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Eileen Wingard, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Sarah and Yaron, who were murdered outside of the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., following an AJC ACCESS D.C. Young Diplomats reception on May 21, 2025, were dedicated staffers at the Israeli Embassy and passionate about building a better, more connected, and more peaceful future. (Press Release)
AJC confers award on murdered young Israeli diplomats Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Press Release, USA
Her theorem on differential invariants in the calculus of variations, Nöther’s theorem, has been called “one of the most important mathematical theorems used in modern physics.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Emmy Nöther, mathematician Read More »
Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
When the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union with more than 3 million members, is charged with discriminatory practices in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, voters should take notice. [Marsha Sutton]
Before the Baal Shem Tov, Judaism was often centered on texts, scholarship, and institutions. The Baal Shem Tov shifted the focus toward people. He taught that G-d could be found not only in study halls, but also in conversations, melodies, shared meals, acts of kindness, and human connection. [Betzy Lynch]
The Baal Shem Tov and modern-day visitors from Sha’ar HaNegev Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Tthe premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s new live-action series “Spider-Noir” proves that the two are inextricably linked. Dropping its entire eight-episode first season on Wednesday May 27, 2026, the series arrived as a cinematic triumph that can be watched in standard color or a gorgeous, authentic, high-contrast black-and-white film noir cut that honors the golden age of cinema. (Barrett Holman Leak)
Spider-Noir’s’ deep Jewish and San Diego roots Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Trump’s blatant corruption and abuse of power, enabled by the Supreme Court’s elimination of guardrails on the presidency, have created unprecedented threats to our democracy and freedom. A Democratic win in 2026 is essential to restoring checks and balances, transparency, and accountability in government. [Halie Soifer]
JDCA works to restore Jewish trust in the Democratic party Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
If a Cohen is angry at the congregation — maybe because someone parked too close to his car again, or the kiddush ran out of herring — he’s not allowed to bless. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Parsha Naso Drasha: The power of a face (with a smile) Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined ContributorsPsychologists who study material culture suggest that tchotchkes function as “externalized memory drives.” In a fast-moving world, our brains are notoriously unreliable narrators. We forget the exact smell of the salt air on a vacation from 2012; we forget the specific cadence of a late-night conversation with an old friend. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Tchotchkes: Why we cling to the things with no use Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I have heard scattered reports of suicides by Israeli soldiers and grieving relatives, but until this JTA article was published on Wednesday I was not aware that 22 active-duty IDF soldiers died by suicide, which was the highest number since 2010. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Suicide in Miami; Boycott of Israeli products in Brooklyn Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Business & Finance, Israel, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
During a gala tribute to retiring CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, B’nai B’rith proudly launched the Daniel S. Mariaschin Institute for Leadership and Public Policy. [SDJW staff]
Jewish world news briefs: May 28, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Torah teaches that while actions may look identical outwardly, inwardly they are never the same. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Naso: Compare and despair Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food