Jewish History

Journalist Documents Little Known Concentration Camp Near Paris

French journalist Anne Sinclair confesses she had long felt guilty about not asking her late paternal grandfather Léonce Schwartz to tell her about his internment at a little-known concentration camp on the outskirts of Paris.  Known by the French as the Royallieu-Compiegne Concentration Camp, and by the Nazi Germans as Frontstalag 122, it was not as well-known as Drancy, the notorious French transit point to the Nazi killing camps in Poland.  However, the prisoners there were treated just as callously.  Starvation, lice, frostbite were common ailments purposely neglected by the Nazis in their effort to humiliate and winnow the French Jewish population [Donald H. Harrison]

Journalist Documents Little Known Concentration Camp Near Paris Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History

Genesis Prize Foundation Honors Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Posthumously

The Genesis Prize Foundation honored the late Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks with the Genesis Lifetime Achievement Award.  The award recognizes Lord Sacks for his extraordinary role in inspiring the next generation of Jews, and his illustrious life-long work as a teacher of Jewish values and an advocate of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. [Genesis Prize Foundation News Release]

Genesis Prize Foundation Honors Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks Posthumously Read More »

International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East

A Cantor Says A Final Goodbye to the Grandfather Who Inspired Him

I flew to London last Wednesday, to say goodbye to my 97-year-old Grandpa. Although I usually see my grandparents half a dozen times a year, the pandemic has made it so that I haven’t been able to see them for two and half years. I entered their new assisted living apartment and went straight to my grandfather’s bed. Without hesitation I began to sing our favorite Yiddish song “Oy vey fein”. Immediately he chimed in and sang with me for about fifteen seconds. [Cantor Hanan Liberman]

A Cantor Says A Final Goodbye to the Grandfather Who Inspired Him Read More »

International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials

Celebrating Diversity in Zichron Yaakov

Located twenty miles south of Haifa, Zichron Yaakov is a charming city of 25,000 people situated on the southern end of the Carmel Mountain range. One of the oldest cities in modern Israel, it was established at the end of 1882 by one hundred pioneers from Romania, members of the Hovevei Tzion – or Lovers of Zion – movement. Hovevei Tzion was one of several organizations that gained traction in Europe in response to the waves of pogroms and openly antisemitic laws that had the cumulative effect of causing approximately 2,000,000 Jews to relocate, a minority of whom made their way to Israel. [Gedaliah Borvick]

Celebrating Diversity in Zichron Yaakov Read More »

Gedaliah Borvick, Jewish History, Middle East

Psychologist Advocates for Recognition of The Ghost Army

Bert Edelstein elevated his hand one foot above the table at which he was sitting.  “My correspondence file is almost this thick,” he commented. He sent letters to the House of Representatives and the Senate.  After the House adopted legislation to recognize the Ghost Army with a Congressional Gold Medal, the focus turned to the U.S. Senate.  Under the rules, for the measure even to be considered in committee, it must have at least 67 co-sponsors — two-thirds of the full Senate.  The count is getting closer and closer. [Donald H. Harrison]

Psychologist Advocates for Recognition of The Ghost Army Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

Jewish Veterans Swap Favorite Stories of Military Times

After raising the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, military veterans at  Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, shared some of the happier stories about their time in the military or just afterwards. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Veterans Swap Favorite Stories of Military Times Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

In Australia, Veterans Day is Remembrance Day

The annual Remembrance Day commemoration on 11th November, not only marks the day when World War One officially ended, commemorating those who served and made the ultimate scarify in a war over a century ago, but is an continuing tribute to all who served in subsequent wars and conflicts in which Australian personal were involved. [Garry Fabian]

In Australia, Veterans Day is Remembrance Day Read More »

International, Jewish History

Commentary: As Kristallnacht anniversary approaches, I still hope hate speech will end

Published by Chicago Tribune I’m a huge sports fan. And while I have a particular penchant for my hometown Chicago teams, I’ll tune in to any big game. For me, sports provide the unscripted drama that supersedes the latest Netflix binge. Watching an underdog college basketball team make a surprise run to the Elite Eight

Commentary: As Kristallnacht anniversary approaches, I still hope hate speech will end Read More »

Jewish History

OpEd: Removal of Adolph Sutro’s Name from a School Was a Travesty

The San Francisco School Board voted 6-1 on January 29 to rename over 40 schools. The Board believes it inappropriate to have schools named for people who have been “engaged in the subjugation and enslavement of human beings, oppressed women, committed acts that led to genocide or who otherwise significantly diminished the opportunities of those amongst us to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” [Jerry Klinger]

OpEd: Removal of Adolph Sutro’s Name from a School Was a Travesty Read More »

Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Christening on Shabbat of Navy Ship Named for Jewish Gay Icon

Although gay icon Harvey Milk was Jewish, the U.S. Navy has announced that on Shabbat, it will “christen” the oiler to be named in his honor.  Following is the press release from the U.S. Department of Defense: “The Navy will christen the John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), during a 9 a.m. PDT ceremony Saturday, Nov. 6 in San Diego, California.”

Christening on Shabbat of Navy Ship Named for Jewish Gay Icon Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

Visit to Holocaust Exhibit Impresses Mother and Daughter

During my daughter Harriet’s recent visit from Portland, Oregon, I suggested we visit the Chula Vista Public Library to see the Holocaust Exhibit arranged by our friend, Sandra Scheller. Harriet teaches Middle School Humanities at the Portland Jewish Academy and one of her classes is learning about the Holocaust. The drive down from University City was under 25 minutes. Both of us found this visit profoundly worthwhile. Sandra met us there and gave us a private docent tour. [Eileen Wingard]

Visit to Holocaust Exhibit Impresses Mother and Daughter Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Middle East, USA