By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — When handed lemons some people complain, others make lemonade and one or two create Chateau Lafite Rothschild. In the late 1700’s when the ghetto gate slammed shut at night, the Jews of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, were locked into an urban prison. The inhabitants of that horribly crowded ghetto
From the Jewish library: Two Rothschild biographies Read More »
Jewish History
After the Holocaust the Bells Still Ring by Joseph Polak, © 2015 Urim Publications, 141 pages, ISBN 978-965-524-162-4, $19.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—When Rabbi Joseph Polak and his mother were liberated from Bergen-Belsen, he was not yet three years old. He says that he has no actual memory of his early childhood in
The Holocaust lives inside him Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryAudacity by Melanie Crowder, Penguin Group Philomel Books, (c) 20015, 385 pages including glossary, family interview, and selected bibliography, $17.99 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — I suppose, if one stuck strictly to the historical facts, Clara Lemlich’s life could be summarized in a few paragraphs. She grew up in an Orthodox home in
Clara Lemlich’s life, in poetry, is thrilling reading Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — 2014 was a year of unprecedented explosions of anti-Semitic and anti-Israel hatred. The ten worst this year shows how pervasive anti-Semitism has become around the world. The ten examples selected by the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) are tragically indicative of burgeoning threats and challenges to the Jewish people not encountered since
2014’s ten worst anti- Semitic outrages Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Isaac Yetiv, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — In the 19th century, Wilhelm Marr , known as “the father of modern antisemitism,” coined the word “antisemitismus.” But the pathological hatred of Jews has a long history. In the antiquity, the Pharaoh who ‘didn’t know Joseph” decreed to kill all the Jewish newborn males; and Haman
Countering the anti- Semites Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –The Talmud tells us that after the Greeks were defeated and expelled from the Land of Israel, the Maccabees entered the Temple and removed all of the pagan idols that had been placed there. They cleaned the Temple and rededicated it to the worship of God. The Talmud adds that
Reflecting on the Maccabees victory Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy David Strom SAN DIEGO — A few months before the surrender of Nazi Germany two unlikely associates were sitting and cordially drinking liquor together in Switzerland. One was Nazi General Karl Wolff the right hand to SS chief Heinrich Himmler and the other the top US spy in charge of gathering wartime intelligence on
‘Nazis Next Door’ tell of U.S. coverups Read More »
Jewish History
MIAMI, Florida (Press Release)–Continuing the tradition of lighting the Chanukah Menorah by prominent public officials, presidential hopeful Jeb Bush who announced an exploratory committee on Tuesday, Dec. 17, invited Jason Lyons to light the Menorah on the first night of Chanukah. Lyons chaired the US-Israel Security Alliance Congressional Tribute last month on Capitol Hill. Former Florida
Jeb Bush hosts Chanukah celebration Read More »
Jewish History, USA
HAIFA, Israel (Press Release) — In two articles recently published in leading journals (Ugarit Forschungen and Semitica), Prof. Gershon Galil of the University of Haifa (Department of Biblical Studies) presented important information about the period of David’s reign, based on new archaeological and epigraphic data unearthed in northwestern Syria and southern Turkey. Prof. Galil points
In David’s time, Israel and Palistin were allies Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California–Hanukkah, the little holiday that could, begins with the lighting of the first candle against the darkness this Tuesday, December 16. Year after year, the assessments begin and the questions accumulate: Is Hanukkah the Jewish Christmas? Which one came first and how are they related? (Of course, the real inquiry
Why Chanukah is important to Christmas Read More »
Jewish History
AUSCHWITZ, Poland (WJC)–More than 100 Auschwitz survivors from at least 17 countries will travel to Poland to participate in the observance of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi German concentration and extermination camp Auschwitz on 27 January 2015, on the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The official event will be organized
Auschwitz prepares for 70th anniversary of liberation Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — The following is the text of a joint statement issued December 8 by the United States of America and France. “Today, France and the United States have signed an agreement in Washington to establish a compensation fund for those Holocaust victims deported from France who had not been able to
France, U.S. formally agree on Shoah payments Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USABy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — I wasn’t searching specifically for this story, and I did not know the reporter’s byline until recently, but while surfing the internet last week for some news about France, I stumbled, happily, upon Cindy Mindell’s nice touch-your-heart story about the power of “thank you” and the redemption of
Jewish ‘thank you’ story resonates across time Read More »
International, Jewish History, USANEW YORK (Press Release)– Shurat HaDin, a civil rights organization based in Israel, has filed a whistleblower action against the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In its 38 page complaint, the group provides substantial evidence that PCUSA violated its non-profit tax-exempt status for engaging in a range of prohibited activities
Tax status challenge to Presbyterian Church USA Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, USA