Judaism

Parsha Mikeitz: Light Needs Someone to Ignite It

Chanukah commemorates two intertwined events: the military victory of the Maccabees in 165 B.C.E. and the miracle of the cruse of oil that burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple. The Sages emphasized the miracle of the oil over the battlefield triumph, teaching that the essence of the holiday is pirsuma d’nisa, publicizing the miracle. Candle lighting and Hallel are therefore central mitzvot, announcing that Hashem is present in history and that His light endures. {Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Claims Conference Webcast Focus: Resilience of Holocaust Survivors

Greg Schneider, Executive Vice President of the Claims Conference, told viewers the program had been recorded before the tragic events in Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, and added: “With horror and heartbreak, we mourn with the Jewish community of Australia.” The speaker then pivoted to the evening’s central message of perseverance: “When faced with tragedy, the Jewish people always choose life,” a lesson the speaker said the world learns “especially from Holocaust survivors.” [Shor M. Masori]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Chanukah Receives Exposure in La Mesa Village’s Annual Celebration

I was pleasantly surprised to discover a booth sponsored by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) in front of Swami’s Café. Staffed by AJC board members and youth leaders, the booth offered hands-on education about Chanukah, including lessons on how to play dreidel. Regional Director Sara Brown shared that La Mesa Vice Mayor Lauren Cazares personally invited AJC to participate and even stopped by the booth to celebrate with them. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Heather Marianna: True to the Spirit of Chanukkah

Chanukkah teaches us that authenticity is not negotiable. The miracle did not come from excess, but from purity. That principle lives at the heart of Marianna’s work with Beauty Kitchen. In an industry often driven by trends and shortcuts, she made the difficult decision to turn down a massive opportunity because the formulation did not align with her non-toxic standards. [Michael Adam Cohen]

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Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) reported on Wednesday that it and the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism sent a team that arrived in Sydney on Tuesday that included “Israeli experts in trauma response, mass-casualty events, and community recovery, with extensive experience supporting communities following extreme incidents and in developing long-term resilience strategies. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing:  Tuesday, Dec. 16

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Tuesday that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of the slain Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner will be charged with their murder.  He said, “Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 15, 2025

Actor/ Director Rob Reiner. 78, and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were stabbed to death on Sunday in their Brentwood, California home.  Police booked his son Nick Reiner, 32, on suspicion of murder. Nick, who has struggled with drug addiction, was held without the possibility of bail. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Law Enforcement Officials Pledge Protection for S.D. Chanukah Events

I say once again: Jews around the world, and right here in San Diego, have the absolute right to feel safe and to be safe. We should not have to hide our joy, move our celebrations indoors, or “tone it down” to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: The Blood on Canberra’s Hands: Why Australia Must Be Held Accountable for the Bondi Massacre

And yet, as the world watches in horror, one question burns brighter than any menorah: How could this happen in a nation that prides itself on solidarity, fairness, and freedom? The answer is devastatingly clear—the Australian government, under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, bears direct responsibility. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Chanukah Massacre in Australia, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

Two gunmen with automatic weapons opened fire, killing at least 11 people and wounding at least 29 others at a celebration of the first night of Chanukah at the beach in the Bondi neighborhood of Sydney, Australia. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

The Symbolism and Challenges of the Eight Candles of Hanukkah

Did you know that Hanukkah candles are not intended to be used for practical benefit? Jewish tradition suggests that their light exists solely for pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle. For this reason, we have been taught that we do not read, work, or otherwise make use of their light. Meditation, however, is permitted when it is understood not as using the light, but as witnessing it. Sitting near the candles in quiet reflection, gratitude, or spiritual awareness allows us to honor the miracle without appropriating the light for our own needs. We do not take from the flame; we allow it to remind us of faith, resilience, and sacred presence. (Betzy Lynch)

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors