A Scottish man was arrested after a video of him teaching his dog to make a Nazi salute and respond to the phrase “gas the Jews” sparked outrage among Jewish groups. Markus Meechan, 28, was detained on suspicion of committing a hate crime and spent a night in jail, the Daily Mail said Monday. The […]
Scottish man arrested for teaching dog a Nazi salute Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryThe decision by London new Muslim Mayor Sadiq Khan, to attend a Holocaust commemoration event as his first public engagement was met with anger by some Twitter users, who responded with virulently anti-Israel comments and even Holocaust denial, Haaretz reported Monday. After the event, Khan tweeted, “So important to reflect, remember and educate about the
London Mayor targeted by anti-Semitism Read More »
International, Jewish History
Looking to distinguish itself from the rest of Iraq and deepen ties with the Kurdish diaspora, the autonomous region of Kurdistan is courting religious minorities, including Jews. Some 300,000 Jews are descended from refugees who fled the region after the establishment of Israel in 1948. Today, most of them live in Israel, though a small
Kurds urge Jews to return to Iraq Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastA copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales once owned by Anne and Margot Frank, their names inscribed atop the title page, sold at auction Thursday for $62,500 (including the buyer’s premium). The New York City–based Swann Auction Galleries said that “the sale represents the first major offering of Anne Frank material at auction in over two
Where Anne Frank’s ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’ Will Go Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish HistoryIsrael’s population has risen to 8,522,000 according to figures published by the Central Bureau of Statistics ahead of Independence Day starting Wednesday evening. The population has grown more than tenfold since Israel was established in 1948 when the country had 806,000 residents. Since last Independence Day the population has grown by 2.2% and the Central
Israel’s population surpasses 8.5 million Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastThe Pumpkin, an Israeli fort in south Lebanon, first entered Matti Friedman’s mind in the winter of 1997. It was the voice of the radio news announcer that imprinted it there, with the announcement, delivered on a wet Jerusalem day, that his friend, Mordechai, had been gravely wounded in combat with Hezbollah guerrillas. A week
From Lebanon, a sparkling, thoughtful war memoir Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastIt’s time the world — and Jews themselves — identify the People of the Book as indigenous people. At least, that’s the opinion of indigenous rights activist Ryan Bellerose of Alberta, Canada. He recently returned from his second trip to the Holy Land where he filmed a video supporting the concept for the Israeli advocacy
First Canadian: Jews are Israel’s indigenous people Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastLondon’s newly elected Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, on Sunday paid respect to the millions of Jews slain in the Holocaust as his first public engagement in office, The Associated Press reported. Khan received a hero’s welcome from London’s Jewish community at the end of the Yom Hashoah ceremony, which brought together thousands from London’s Jewish
London’s new mayor pays respect to Holocaust victims Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryThe National Security Council Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a travel advisory against Israelis visiting Tunisia on Monday, ahead of an expected Lag B’Omer festivities to be held May 25-26 in Ghriba, on the island of Djerba. “There is a severe travel warning for Tunisia (high concrete threat),” the Bureau said. “Terrorist elements, especially those affiliated with
Israel warns against Lag B’Omer travel to Tunisia Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
Most Israeli Jews support increased Jewish pluralism in Israel, and are in favor of the right to freedom of marriage, a survey released on Sunday found. The poll, published by The Jewish People Policy Institute, found that more than 60 percent of Israeli Jews back the legalization of civil marriages in the country. Over 80%
Most Israeli Jews support Jewish pluralism Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Raphael Poch JERUSALEM– Each year over 300,000 people from across the country descend upon the small town of Meron for a yearly pilgrimage on the 33rd day of the Omer, known as the holiday of La’g Ba’omer. The sheer amount of visitors to the town’s holy site, the grave of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai,
First response team prepares for Lag B’Omer pilgrimage Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Two years ago my congregation embarked on a grand experiment. Instead of “charging” for synagogue membership we changed to a free will donation system we call T’rumah. T’rumah has been a success, although a qualified success. Many of our members chose to increase or maintain their previous membership gift
T’rumah–or free will donations–support synagogue Read More »
Jewish ReligionAn ancient Spanish town which changed its name from an anti-Semitic name to a pro-Jewish one has come under attack from extremist groups who have daubed signposts and buildings with offensive symbols and messages protesting the switch, The Associated Press reported on Thursday. In late 2015, the ancient Spanish town of Castrillo Matajudios, which translates
Town that changed ‘Kill Jews’ name vandalized Read More »
International, Jewish History
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Born after World War II, Mark James knew that he had a dead older brother for whom he was named, but he said he never asked his parents about him because he didn’t want to cause them emotional distress. The older brother’s first name was Marek, and
SDJA speaker: Nazis tortured and murdered his brother Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County