Everything changed with the outbreak of Operation Rising Lion, as Iran retaliated with missile attacks into Israel. Suddenly, the educational experience turned into a real-time lesson in Jewish resilience. [Yisroel Weiser]
San Diego Hebrew Day 8th Graders Experience a War in Israel Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Israel is at war and I’m far away from the country, in the peaceful depths of rural France. I was born into the Second World War, and as a baby (and later) I suffered as a result of being evacuated to the country, separated from my parents and the environment to which I was accustomed. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Living and Multiplying in Times of War Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Moses sent spies to Canaan to report on what they saw in the land toward which the Israelites were heading. Ten of the twelve spies brought back reports that frightened the Israelites. Only two, Joshua and Caleb, brought positive accounts. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Why Caleb, not Joshua, Reported to Moses about Canaan Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In Shelach, we encounter a powerful psychological drama: after the spies (meraglim) return with their disheartening report, the Israelites are overwhelmed with fear and negativity. They lash out at Moshe Rabbeinu and Aaron, crying, “If only we had died in Egypt!” Their misery leads them straight to the oldest human defense mechanism, blame. They direct their frustration toward their leaders and stir up conflict (machloket). [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Shelach – Our Outlook Depends on Our ‘Inlook’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Pride Month and Pride celebrations are always a highlight every summer for my family. This year is different. [Cailin Acosta]
Pride Festival versus San Diego’s Jewish Community Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
At Birkenau, we stood in Barrack #C-26, the very place where survivor Rose Schindler once endured the camp’s horrors. We stood with two of her children, Jeff and Roxanne, who read a passage from their parents’ book, Two Who Survived. [Shelley Zimmerman]
Adon Olam is one of the dearest songs sung during synagogue services. It is recited or sung at different times in different countries, usually at the end of the Shabbat and holiday morning service. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
History and Translations of ‘Adon Olam’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
After decades of warning about the dangers of Iran’s nuclear weapons ascendance, Israel’s long-time prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted. While some, including me, had doubts that he would ever fulfill his promises to stop Iran’s growing power, Israel’s substantial victories after the October 7 debacle changed the equation. [Steve Kramer]
OpEd: Israel-Iran War Was Inevitable Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA
President Donald Trump’s apparent willingness to extend a lifeline to Iran’s Ayatollah, despite the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) being on the brink of collapse, represents a grave misjudgment, arguably surpassing even the strategic errors of President Barack Obama’s Iran policy. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
The two versions of Maimonides’ principles, Ani Ma’amin and Yigdal, were composed after Maimonides wrote the principles. Yigdal has many melodies. In 1950, Leonard Bernstein set the hymn to music. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Yigdal and Maimonides’ 13 Principles Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Reports from earlier this month indicate that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the Secretary of the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk during national Pride Month as part of the Administration’s broader efforts to demonize American citizens it does not like. Milk was a veteran, political leader, and a Jewish advocate for the LGBT community. [Press Release]
Rep. Scott Peters Introduces Bill to Protect Name of USNS Harvey Milk Read More »
Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
The punishment that follows is striking: God’s response to Miriam’s spoken outrage and disdain is to afflict her with what we know as leprosy, turning her skin “white as snow”—a chilling, and perhaps ironic direct contrast to the Cushite woman’s dark skin, strongly suggesting that Miriam’s complaint was indeed rooted in prejudice related to appearance or origin. [Barrett Holman Leak]
The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, under the direction of Chorus Director, Arian Khaefi, delivered an impressive reading of Felix Mendelssohn’s Oratorio, Elijah, in the final program of their 2024-25 season at Mandeville Hall on June 8. [Eileen Wingard]
‘Elijah,’ Mendelssohn’s Oratorio, Impressive in La Jolla Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The film is a dark comedy that asks the timely question of how Frank can be marketed to the Gen Z generation. [Cailin Acosta]
Making Gen Z Aware of Anne Frank’s Story Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast