Jewish History

Jewish historic connection to Jerusalem undeniable

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — So now the Palestinians are saying that the concept of any historical connection between the Jews and Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount in particular, is pure myth, and they are trying to get UNESCO to adopt a resolution to that effect. I wonder what would happen if they […]

Jewish historic connection to Jerusalem undeniable Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Mislabeled epitaph found to be 1,700-year-old Jewish obituary

A third century epitaph for a Jewish woman living in Egypt has recently been translated, after its discovery in a Utah library. The limestone tablet had been labeled as a Coptic artifact for years until it was translated by Lincoln H. Blumell, an associate professor at Brigham Young University, who published his findings this month.

Mislabeled epitaph found to be 1,700-year-old Jewish obituary Read More »

International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

After 40 years: World’s 3rd-largest synagogue returns to Jews

The city fathers of Pilsen, Czech Republic, have agreed to close the museum and concert hall that have operated in the city’s famous synagogue, and to restore the structure to the Jewish community. The decision follows more than ten years of lobbying efforts by representatives of the dwindling Jewish community. The Great Synagogue is known

After 40 years: World’s 3rd-largest synagogue returns to Jews Read More »

International, Jewish History

Nehemiah, a builder with political savvy

Nehemiah: Statesman and Sage by Dov S. Zakheim, Maggid Books., New Milfored, CT, ©2016, ISBN 978-1-59264-369-1, p. 246, $27.95 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California –  In 586 BCE, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, capital of the Judean monarchy, standing on Mt. Scopus, the present home of the Hebrew University, watched as his

Nehemiah, a builder with political savvy Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Documents tell wartime tale of Jews in Shanghai

The Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum hopes that documents about Jewish refugees’ life experience in Shanghai during World War II will eventually be listed in China’s national legacy archives. The museum said it will continue enriching and improving its collection of historical materials and make them part of the national legacy archives, and then global archives.

Documents tell wartime tale of Jews in Shanghai Read More »

International, Jewish History

What he did for Israel, no Jew could have done

By Jerry Klinger It‘s an unusual statement, “He did what no Jew could do.”  Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel coined it. She coined it to recognize the special service of Rev. John Stanley Grauel to Israel. Rev. Grauel served as a secret Haganah Agent on the famed Holocaust Refugee ship the Exodus.  Yet, Meir’s

What he did for Israel, no Jew could have done Read More »

International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

Bar mitzvah boy puts gifts toward ambulance purchase

JERUSALEM (Press Release) – In a twist on tradition, a 13-year-old boy has decided to donate all of the presents from his Bar Mitzvah in an effort to share in the dream of his namesake. Yisrael David “Srulie” Beer, the son of United Hatzalah Founder and President Eli Beer, is endeavoring to purchase both a much-needed ambulance

Bar mitzvah boy puts gifts toward ambulance purchase Read More »

Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Brains of Jewish Holocaust victims found in Berlin institute

During renovations at the Max Planck Psychiatric Institute in Munich, dozens of brains and brain parts of Jewish victims of the Holocaust were discovered, according to Army Radio this morning (Wednesday). In the wake of the discovery, a committee has been established in order to ascertain in greater detail the story of the samples. The

Brains of Jewish Holocaust victims found in Berlin institute Read More »

International, Jewish History

Letters take readers inside the Holocaust

Every Day Lasts A Year: A Jewish Family’s Correspondence From Poland edited by Christopher R. Browning, Richard S. Hollander and Nechama Tec;  Cambridge University Press; © 2014; ISBN 9781107-668768; 290 pages including index. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Richard Hollander, one of the editors of this work, is the son of Joseph Hollander,

Letters take readers inside the Holocaust Read More »

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

Major exhibition to focus on San Diego Jews

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – A nine-month-long, 10,000 square foot exhibition about the Jews of San Diego, including the community’s history, achievements and troubles since 1850, is now in the design stage with an opening planned in March 2017 at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. Joellyn Zollman, a professor who

Major exhibition to focus on San Diego Jews Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education