Jewish History

Jewish Biography: Semyon Frank, Religious Philosopher

In the collection Landmarks (1909), which became an important event in the history of Russian philosophical thought, Frank published an article The Ethics of Nihilism, where he criticized the “nihilistic moralism” characteristic of the Russian radical intelligentsia and opposed it with a call for “creative, culture-building religious humanism.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Wikipedia

American Jewish Group Supports New Zealand Memorial to Airmen Imprisoned at Buchenwald

Upon arriving at Buchenwald, the Allied prisoners were not placed in the main camp.  They were destined for special treatment.  The Nazi Commandant sent them to the “Little Camp,” the Jewish Camp.  They slept on the ground for days, no food, clothing – rags like Jewish prisoners. [Jerry Klinger]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: On Being a Democrat and a Supporter of Israel

American support of Israel should not be about rubber-stamping the agenda of Netanyahu, just as American patriotism should not be equated with blind devotion to Trump. With strong disapproval of both leaders among a majority of Jewish Americans and Democrats, we need to broaden the definition of what it means to stand with Israel outside the narrow lens of what serves Netanyahu and Trump’s political agendas.  [Halie Soifer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: Jewish Values Demand Moral Clarity–Not Equivalence–in Gaza

Recently, the Times of San Diego published an opinion piece, (which was republished by San Diego Jewish World) titled “As a Father, Jew and Councilmember, I’m Appalled by Brutality in Gaza” by Sean Elo-Rivera.

While I respect the sincerity behind that essay and the concern it reflects for the lives of all children, it represents a troubling trend in our public discourse: invoking Jewish identity as a moral credential to justify arguments built on ahistorical comparisons and dangerous false moral equivalence. [Mitch Danzig, Times of San Diego]

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Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, San Diego County, USA

Alaskan Synagogue Depends on Volunteers

Two Torahs saved from the Holocaust were obtained, one from the Czech Republic; the other from Hungary.  A congregant whose hobby is woodworking built the Holy Ark within which to keep them. Another congregant created a rustic chuppah.  Jewish books were donated to the congregational library.  Temple Sukkat Shalom (Shelter of Peace) is small, yet compact. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Illinois City Makes IHRA Definition of Antisemitism an Ordinance

This landmark legislation positions Highland Park as the first city in Illinois to enshrine this definition through an ordinance rather than a resolution. The ordinance requires the city manager to incorporate the IHRA working definition and its eleven contemporary examples when implementing employment and anti-discrimination policies. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Jewish History, Press Release, USA

Remembering Jan Genossar, Holocaust Survivor and Physics Professor, on the Centennial of His Birth

Having experienced the fear of persecution by executioners, he became the epitome of courage and bravery. Having learned what absolute evil was, he became an absolutely good man. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

My Top 5 Takeaways from Traveling Back to Israel Post-October 7

There are few times in my life where I have been rendered speechless, where reflecting on a profound experience I’ve had cannot do my feelings justice. My recent visit to Israel, the first time back post-October 7, was one of them. [Kayla Globerson]

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Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Australian Critics of Israel Failed to Condemn Oct. 7, Other Antisemitic Incidents around the World

Back to Oct. 7, did Robertson not “want my kids telling me what were you doing when this mass murder and genocide was going on”? Did Mullins think “the world’s gone mad” when terrorists burned, raped and murdered 1,200 Israelis? [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sicily

The ‍congregation ‍is ‍primarily ‍made ‍up ‍of ‍Bnei ‍Anusim, ‍descendants ‍of ‍the ‍Jews ‍who ‍converted ‍500 ‍years ‍earlier. ‍But ‍Rabbi ‍Ventura ‍is ‍fighting ‍against ‍what ‍group ‍that ‍opposes ‍his ‍efforts ‍to ‍restore ‍the ‍Jewish ‍Community ‍of ‍Catania [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Israel Update by the Jewish Federation of San Diego

The past few weeks have brought a blanket of traditional and social media coverage about Israel and the worsening situation in Gaza, much of it misinformed at best and in many cases blatantly biased against Israel.   Since allegations of widespread hunger in Gaza rose to international prominence, Israel has been flooding the region with aid, and the impact of that aid is now beginning to be felt. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, USA