Jewish History

Pomegranates and Nine Jewish Facts About Them As Rosh Hashanah Approaches

As I am keeping an eye on a neighbor’s pomegranate tree, I wonder each year if they will be ripe and ready before Rosh Hashanah. For many years, we picked buckets full, and for a few years, it’s been just a couple. Every year, I leave a note in their mailbox asking when or if my kids can come and pick from their trees. I always sign the note, from your friendly neighborhood Jew. Giggle.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

700 Days Too Many which Hostages Have Suffered

Rona Epstein [is] the daughter of the current Sha’ar HaNegev mayor Ori Epstein and the niece of the previous mayor, Ofir Libstein (z”l). She is 20 years old, and a lifelong resident of the kibbutz. She led us on a tour of the worst day of her life, with stops at the spots where two of her uncles, her grandmother, her cousin, and her brother died that day. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Sharon Katz: A Life of Music and Service

South African musician Sharon Katz learned about the importance of giving back to others. This is something her mother instilled in her. In addition, growing up during the period of Apartheid, Katz also learned about racism and social inequalities. [Mimi Pollack]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Rembrandt Loved Bible Stories and the Jews Who Populated Them

Written for children 5 through 9, Rembrandt’s Blessing tells the story of the Dutch Master’s love affair with Bible stories and by extension with Amsterdam Jews, whom he had pose for him. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Milena and Margarete’ Recounts Prisoners’ Love Affair in a Nazi Concentration Camp for Women

This is an incisive history of the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp from the perspective of two female prisoners who defied their Nazi captors and became lovers. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Thorn & Petal’: An Interactive Play About San Diego’s First Jewish Settler Louis Rose

In a telephone interview, Redman shared that he felt compelled to share Louis Rose’s story in the wake of October 7th.  He saw value in bringing forth a positive Jewish story as negativity and antisemitism are on the rise. Through some networking with Sean Boyd, first-time playwright, Redman, garnered the support he needed to pen Thorn and Petal. [Eva Trieger]

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Donald H. Harrison, Eva Trieger, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Global Roundup of Recent Displays of Antisemitism

The end of the summer was dominated by allegations of ‘genocide’ and ‘famine’ thrown against Israel and its supporters. These collapse under even causal examination, but have been coupled with relentless campaigns, particular on the far right, to legitimize antisemitism. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: New Orleans

In ‍New ‍Orleans, ‍Touro ‍funded ‍what ‍became ‍Touro ‍Infirmary ‍as ‍well ‍as ‍the ‍Reform ‍congregation ‍Touro ‍Synagogue. ‍While ‍it’s ‍not ‍certain, ‍what ‍is ‍the ‍common ‍belief ‍as ‍to ‍why ‍Judah ‍Touro ‍left ‍Boston ‍and ‍moved ‍to ‍New ‍Orleans? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Biography: Waldemar Haffkine, Discoverer of the Cholera and Plague Vaccines

The main focus of his work was the protection of the human body from infectious diseases using serums and vaccines. By 1892, Haffkine had created the first effective vaccine against cholera, proving its safety for humans on himself. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Leon Lewis Fought American Nazis in Los Angeles

Lewis secretly created a spy network with sympathetic disabled German American World War 1 veterans he knew.  The veterans were horrified by Nazism and how it could turn German Americans into dangerous pariahs in their own country.  They volunteered to penetrate the Bund. [Jerry Klinger]

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Antisemitism, California, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘The Boomer Archaeologist’ is UCSD Prof. Thomas Levy’s Very Readable Personal Memoir and Scientific Findings

Illustrated by Lily Almeida, this paperback chronicles Levy’s remarkable five-decade career as a Levantine archaeologist, weaving a rich narrative that blends autobiography with groundbreaking discoveries in the ancient Near East. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA

Recorded Performances of 12 Great Jewish Violinists to Be Heard

Great Jewish Violinists: the first of this coming season’s “Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library” presentations, will take place Thursday, Sept. 4, 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the library of the Lawrence Family JCC. I will be introducing the twelve artists who will be heard in recorded selections from the violin repertoire. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Historic Marker Celebrates Colorado Governor who Protested WWII Internment of Japanese-Americans

In time, the Roosevelt administration compelled Carr to bend to its orders.  Carr reluctantly complied but never stopped protesting the injustice and gross violation of the Constitution. [Jerry Klinger]

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California, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA