By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Kever Shmuel and/or Nebi Samwil is one of the sites that includes within its stories the long and controversial history of this place, as well as ongoing disputes about who did what, and its justification or suitability for moral condemnation. The place is the highest point in the area of […]
The dispute over the Prophet Samuel’s Tomb Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Symphony, like many other orchestras throughout the world, is honoring the centennial birthday of Leonard Bernstein, the great 20th century American conductor, composer, pianist and educator, by including his works in all three Masterworks symphony programs during the month of May, as well as in a
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Two ancient traditions briefly were juxtaposed on Thursday, May 3, as Chabad of East County celebrated the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer at the foot of Kwaaypay (Chief, Headman) Peak at the Kumeyaay Lake Campgrounds in Mission Trails Regional Park. When the indigenous Kumeyaay were a semi-nomadic
Lag B’Omer at Kumeyaay Lake campground Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyThis is the second part in a two-part series To read the first part, click here. By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Natalie Portman lately has developed a penchant for creating headlines about Jews. This past week, she went on record saying, “The Shoah is no more tragic than other genocides,” and
Natalie Portman raises a good issue about the Shoah Read More »
International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USANEW YORK (Press Release) — The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – on Thursday commended President Donald Trump for issuing an executive order establishing The White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative. The executive order signed today at a Rose Garden ceremony creates the White House
OU lauds White House faith initiative Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Sam Litvin TEL AVIV — On April 29th, a woman died in San Diego. She passed away quietly, in her sleep. Many knew this was coming. After all, she was 101. But her passing hit many who knew her hard, for 101 years she had given all who knew her much warmth and joy.
Fanya Bliachman, 101, had an exciting life Read More »
International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Sam LitvinBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — One of the obsessions of ultra-orthodox (Haredi) men is not to be close to women. Even proximity to mothers, wives and daughters is at times restricted. Though public transport in Israel doesn’t allow segregation, some private buses used by Haredim put the women at the back. There’re many reported
Haredim slowly changing Israeli society Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
AMHERST, Massachusetts (Press Release) – The visiting exhibit Through the Yiddish Looking Glass: The Art of Yiddish Children’s Literature is on view at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. The exhibit will be at the Center’s Brechner Gallery through Fall 2018. Through the Yiddish Looking Glass features Yiddish children’s book illustrations, created by artists who
Art of Yiddish children’s books on exhibit Read More »
Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
JERUSALEM (Press Release) — Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, on Wednesday condemned a speech by Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestine Authority, about the Holocaust. Following is the statement from Yad Vashem: In his address on Monday, 30 April 2018, to the Palestinian National Council, the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas,
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Jewish History, Middle East
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The Annual Congressional Tribute event marking Jewish American Heritage Month will take place on Tuesday, May 8, in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, featuring leading members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate. Among the members of Congress scheduled to attend are Senators
Congress to fete Jews of achievement May 8 Read More »
Jewish History, USA
Irreverent Forever: True Tales From a Newspaperman’s Outrageously Rewarding Life by David Arledge Feldman; © 2018, Gray Castle Publishing, ISBN 9781987-713190; 226 pages plus appendix and acknowledgments. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Journalist David Arledge Feldman inherited his father’s sense of humor, but not his Jewish religion. For most of his life,
A journalist’s life in David Feldman’s memoir Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USABy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Here’s yet another finding in the ancient question about how to live longer. Attend synagogue regularly. That’s it. Simple isn’t it? Now before you assume the study backing up this recommendation was funded by a religious organization, think again. After all, this isn’t some medical study backed
Link found between longevity and shul attendance Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Travel and Food
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) –The Jewish Studies Program at San Diego State University has announced that Israeli political scientist, Dr. Luba Levin-Banchik, will be teaching courses in the History and Political Science Departments and will be in residence at SDSU for the 2018/19 academic year. Her residency is supported by a grant from the Murray
Levin- Banchik new Israeli scholar in residence at SDSU Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations hosted an historic event at the Museum of Jewish Heritage recognizing and commemorating the acts of Muslims who welcomed, hosted and protected Jews during the Holocaust. His Excellency, Dr. Mohammad Ibn Abdulkarim Alissa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League headquartered
Muslim World League: ‘True Islam’ opposed Holocaust Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion