James Carville offered advice and criticism to the Democratic Party for their overall poor results (other than winning the presidency) in the last election (“We won the White House against a world-historical buffoon. And we came within 42,000 votes of losing.”). What “Jewish-referenced” comment did Carville offer? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: James Carville Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
California’s newly adopted Ethnic Studies Curriculum has given San Diego County educators the opportunity to combat antisemitism by recognizing and celebrating the many contributions and extensive history of the American Jewish community. Local Boards of Education should formally acknowledge the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month within our San Diego County schools. [Mark Powell]
School Boards Should Formally Acknowledge Jewish American History Month Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
This May, I am delighted to celebrate the 16th annual Jewish American Heritage Month. When I first sponsored the legislation creating JAHM in 2005, our goal was to honor and share the amazing contributions that American Jews have made to our nation. [Debbie Wasserman Schultz]
16th Jewish American Heritage Month Starts May 1 Read More »
Jewish History, USA
An Israeli national disaster occurred at the Lag B’Omer festival on Mount Meron in northern Israel on April 28 when 45 people were killed and 155 were injured when thousands people gathered in the tightly packed confines of a compound surrounding the grave of a Jewish holy man. The tragic incident demands answers for why a hundred thousand mainly Haredi Jews from Israel and abroad would make their way to this isolated site at this special time. [Barry Shaw]
Who was Shimon Bar Yochai? Read More »
Barry Shaw, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
Frank London, jazz trumpeter, band leader, co-founder of the Klezmatics, founder of the Klezmer Brass Allstars and co-founder of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, is one of the most important figures in the Klezmer Renaissance. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, majoring in Afro-American Music, he is also well schooled in World Music. Currently, he serves on the music faculty of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase. [Eileen Wingard]
CD Compiles Music from Jewish and Other Ghettos Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
If it had not been for a nice Yiddishe fellow, Siegfried Marcus, there would not have been the internal combustion engine. Greta Thunberg would be thrilled today. No cars, no CO2 or sulfur emissions to cause global warming and give the antisemites something else to hate the Jews over. [Jerry Klinger]
Some Jewish Race Car Stories You May Not Have Known Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA
Antisemitic incidents remained at a historically high level across the United States in 2020, with a total of 2,024 incidents of assault, harassment and vandalism reported to ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). While antisemitic incidents declined by 4 percent after hitting an all-time high in 2019, last year was still the third-highest year for incidents against American Jews since ADL started tracking such data in 1979. [ADL Press Release]
ADL: 2,024 Antisemitic Incidents in U.S. in 2020 Read More »
Jewish History, USA
Conversations Between Colleagues has a personal, useful and informative festschrift flavor that honors the profession of American Jewish History, which in 50 years grew from a minor field of study in a handful of universities to a burgeoning academic growth field. [Oliver B. Pollak]
Scholars Detail Growth of American Jewish History Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, USA
‘The True Sea’ is a gem of a novel, but like Mark Twain’s ‘Huckleberry Finn’ before it, schools and libraries may ban it because it uses the “N-Word” in portraying relationships between Whites and Blacks in the Florida Keys in the early 20th century. [Donald H. Harrison]
Racism and Literary Censorship Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, USA
NETANYA, Israel — In the April 25, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Over 80% of Israeli adults have now been vaccinated against Covid-19.
–Israeli optical breakthrough allows for early detection of skin cancer.
–Israel marks Earth Day with national clean-up and new sustainability center.
–New Israeli-developed microchips are the fastest ever.
–Israel signs hi-tech agreement with one of the world’s largest carmakers.
–Discovery in Israel of the oldest example of alphabetic writing. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (April 25, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Whether the refugee cap is increased to 125,000 annually, as President Biden originally promised in February, or kept at the 15,000 level set by his predecessor, or ends up somewhere in between — as now seems likely — America’s policy of admitting refugees remains inadequate for meeting the human rights challenges of our era. Perhaps the time has come for a new approach — one based on a proposal first made in 1943-44. [Rafael Medoff]
U.S. Should Revisit Idea of Temporary Havens Read More »
International, Jewish History, USA
I believe Yom Haatzmaut is very representative of my journey of becoming an Israeli citizen and what my plans are now that I’m here. As a convert to Judaism, when I was fifteen, who made my first trip to Israel in 2016 with Taglit/Birthright and then enjoyed seven extensive trips to the country subsequently, my dream of making Aliyah was finally complete this year when I embarked on a Nefesh B’Nefesh charter Aliyah flight. [Ondria Rees]
Celebrating a Truly Independent Yom Haatzmaut Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USAThe Hatikvah melody has been heard more recently when a singer sampled the tune in one of his songs. Which rap or hip hop musician sampled the music of Hatikvah in a rap song? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: ‘Hatikvah’ Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsTo commemorate Yom Hashoah, Ohr Shalom Synagogue screened the premiere of the documentary, We Are the Tree of Life: Carry On. The Zoom screening was introduced by former Ohr Shalom president, Susie Meltzer. Many participants in the film were in the Zoom audience, including Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. [Eileen Wingard]
‘We Are the Tree of Life’ debuts in San Diego Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast