Judaism

The coming of Shavuot spawns many local celebrations

The seven weeks of counting the Omer are coming to an end soon, and we celebrate with receiving the Torah on Shavuot. Many celebrations include dairy products. Many celebrations include dairy products.  The Israelites didn’t have time that night to kasher their non-dairy foods. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Last letters of Israeli soldiers poignant, witty, and even joyous

The emotional range is extraordinary and serves as a splendid message and lesson for readers. One page may have readers smiling at a soldier’s wit; the next may be almost unbearable because of its honesty. No letter romanticizes war. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parsha Bamidbar: People count as individuals and as part of a group

From a psychological standpoint, recognition is one of the most powerful reinforcers of identity. When we believe that we are truly acknowledged, our internal sense of ourselves becomes more stable, more resilient. When we do not feel or think this way, something begins to erode. We can be physically present yet feel emotionally invisible. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Grossmont College exhibit highlights Holocaust survivors who made their homes in San Diego County

Every survivor’s story is unique, each one a miraculous testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. Holocaust survivors have spent decades rebuilding their lives in the United States — raising families, starting successful businesses, and daring to celebrate life again after unimaginable loss. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A hidden Jewish angle to Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’

In the late 1990s, on the 50th anniversary of his 1949 play, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller confessed to an interviewer that Willy Loman and his family were intended to be Jews. Further, he said, the title character was inspired by one of his uncles and a suicidal colleague of his father’s, both of them salesmen. [Susie Rosenbluth]

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Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Comedian Alex Edelman jokes about different streams of Judaism at JFEST opener

After greeting the audience Edelman, who grew up Orthodox, opened with a groaner. “What’s the difference between a reform Rabbi and Donald Trump?” He asked. The answer, “Donald Trump has Jewish grandchildren.” As the crowd groaned in unison, he noted that yes, it was a bad joke, and yes, everyone would be repeating it.  He wasn’t wrong on either count. [Sandi Masori]

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Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Traveling Holocaust exhibit asks what Americans knew and how they responded

Important questions about morality, responsibility, and public awareness are at the center of the “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit at Grossmont College. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

President Trump calls on Jews to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by observing National Shabbat May 15-16

Prinz’s address is remembered for its contention that in the face of discrimination, “the most urgent, the most disgraceful, the most shameful and the most tragic problem is silence.” [Cailin Acosta]

President Trump calls on Jews to celebrate America’s 250th birthday by observing National Shabbat May 15-16 Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Plaque donated for grave of mass murderer’s teenage Jewish victim

With the help of a remarkable West Haven, Connecticut, genealogist, John Doe’s unmarked burial site was identified.  JASHP’s obligation was clear.  The boy deserved a stone of memory.  No longer, unintentionally, would feet stand on his grave. [Jerry Klinger]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Congressional candidate advocates tightening rules on campus antisemitism

Mandate complete transparency of foreign funding to universities and nonprofits under Section 117 of the Higher Education Act, with severe financial penalties and loss of tax-exempt status for nondisclosure. Congress must close loopholes that allow foreign governments and entities to influence American education. [Stan Caplan]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Biography: Emmerich (Imre) Kálmán, operetta composer

When three Jews in a troubled, hostile-to-their-people Vienna put on a jester’s cap and write an operetta with a happy ending, one might think they were indulging in wishful thinking or trying to drown their fears, to dissolve their worries in the desired joy. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors