By Stanley Tiger SAN DIEGO — “I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I’m sorry.” These words still ring in my heart. As a schoolboy about ten years of age on my way to afternoon Hebrew school, on the other side of the street I saw a young Chassidic boy, about my age, getting pushed to the ground by two […]
Why ‘The Jewish Genius Initiative’ started Read More »
Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — There was nothing physically imposing about Lou Dunst—a cherubic, dignified man with a sweet smile yet deep sorrowful eyes. At times, when he walked slowly by, it seemed that a stiff breeze could knock him down. But then you realized that not even the wind could do such a
In memory of Holocaust survivor Lou Dunst Read More »
Obituaries & memorialsBy Steve Kramer SUSIYA, Israel — The non-governmental organization (NGO) Regavim* concentrates on preserving Israel’s land on both sides of the 1949 Armistice Line. Along with that, Regavim schedules tours throughout the Land of Israel to acquaint Israelis and tourists with our historical homeland. We went on such a tour recently, to Susiya, located in the
Susiya’s Jewish history not open to debate Read More »
Jewish History, Steve Kramer
By Howard Wayne SAN DIEGO — My maternal grandmother immigrated to the United States from the Kingdom of Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in around 1910. She visited her family twice between the world wars, and afterwards sent some money to her father, Joseph Weinstein (or Weinstein Jozcef in Hungarian). As far as we
Persistence, patience triumph in search for ancestors Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — Those of us familiar with the word “shtetl” often conjure up mental images of a small town in Eastern Europe; the world of Tevye fiddling on the edge of his roof. These memories were handed down by our forebears along with faded pictures of grimy houses and dusty
From the Jewish library: ‘Shtetl’ Read More »
Jewish History
SAN DIEGO (SDONA)–After decades of delays, Jonas Salk Elementary School in Mira Mesa will open its doors to students for the first time Tuesday as the San Diego Unified School District begins its new academic year. The $24 million school is named after Dr. Jonas Salk, who invented the first successful polio vaccine and later
School named for Jonas Salk to open Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
Uncovered by Leah Lax; She Writes Press; © 2015; ISBN 978-1631529955; $16.95 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This touchingly written, respectful yet controversial, woman’s odyssey from unhappy, repressed childhood to Hasidism and thence, in middle age, to freedom and the personal security found in lesbianism, is bound to be earnestly debated by readers.
Memoir relates journey from Hasidism to lesbianism Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Parashat Ki Tavo contains a list of blessings and curses. If the Israelites are faithful to the Covenant and obedient to God they will receive the blessings. If they turn away from God and don’t observe the mitzvot they will receive the curses instead. In introducing the blessings
Where can you find true blessings? Read More »
Jewish Religion
Saying Goodbye to Mom By Saul Schwartz WASHINGTON, D.C. — My mother, Geraldine Myra (Young) Schwartz, lived most of her life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before she retired to San Diego with her husband, Norman Schwartz, 20 years ago. This is the story of her last few months and what I learned from about life from her
Geraldine Myra Schwartz, 1933-2015 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rosh Hashanah is almost here! According to Jewish mystical tradition, Elul is a period of spiritual awakening. The name of Elul is an acrostic for: אֲנִי לְדוֹדִי וְדוֹדִי לִי “I belong to my beloved and my beloved belongs to me …” (Song of Songs 6:3). Hence, the time of
When God and humankind are lovers Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — It is interesting that while living in Paris, my parents resisted any French influence and continued their Russian way of life: eating Russian food, reading Russian newspapers and books, having Russian friends, and speaking Russian at home. My first tongue was Russian. In the U.S., they did the same
A musical Russian enclave in Beverly Hills Read More »
Jewish History, Natasha Josefowitz
LA JOLLA, California — Judge Murry Luftig, long-time resident of San Diego, passed away on August 27 at the age of 92. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years, Rita Luftig, and his children, Vicki Pierce, Mitchell Luftig, Andrea Ferber, and Laura Luftig, along with seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Judge Luftig
Judge Murry Luftig, 1923-2015 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyBy Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — There is nothing so Jewish as self-improvement. And all this time, you thought gefilte fish or bagels and lox were the ultimate Jewish experience. No, you see, when it comes to improving yourself, making yourself into an elevated, more refined, more civil person, nothing in psychology has ever
Spiritual self- improving, Jewish style Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The Jews That I Knew: Voices From the Invisible Ghetto by Ed Schwartz; Create Space © 2014, ISBN 979-1500-1507-61; 96 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – From its cover to its conclusion, too few pages later, this is a quirky yet enjoyable book. You might get the idea looking at the cover that
Only a shlemiel would judge this book by its cover Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, USA