Jewish History

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Norman Podhoretz

In 1960, Podhoretz began a 35-year career as editor-in-chief of Commentary magazine, when initially he was a political liberal. Disillusioned with the left, he became a neoconservative, and during Ronald Reagan’s administration, Podhoretz served as an advisor to the U.S. Information Agency. George W. Bush awarded him the presidential medal of freedom. [SDJA staff report]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Norman Podhoretz Read More »

Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Jewish Biography: Ludwig Börne, Bolshevik from the Frankfurt Ghetto

Ludwig Börne (Yehuda-Leib Baruch), German publicist, was born in 1786 and grew up in the ghetto of Frankfurt. He was in early opposition to the German rulers and was one of the fighters for freedom from German despotism. Börne attributed his desire for freedom to the double oppression he experienced as a Jew and as a German: “Because I was born a slave, I love freedom more than you. Because I was born a slave, I understand freedom better than you.” [Alex Gordon]

Jewish Biography: Ludwig Börne, Bolshevik from the Frankfurt Ghetto Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Solidarity Ride Marked 100 Days Israelis Held Hostage by Hamas

Faulconer, now running for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors, commented, “It is a privilege today to ride with 100 others in strong solidarity with Israel and our Jewish community in San Diego.”  Zimmerman said, “Today is the 100th day since the brutal Hamas attack and for the hostages still in captivity.  They must be all be safely returned now.  We pedal in solidarity with our sister city Sha’ar Hanegev and all of Israel.” Essakow pointed out that the riders were of all faiths, who pray for the safe return of approximately 130 hostages.[SDJW staff report]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Solidarity Ride Marked 100 Days Israelis Held Hostage by Hamas Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Shlomo Carlebach

A songwriter who couldn’t read music, Carlebach composed the popular “Am Yisrael Chai” (The People of Israel Live),  which is now a Jewish standard, and thousands of other songs.  He gained fame as “the singing rabbi” and  he founded the Carlebach Shul in New York City’s Upper West Side.  [SDJW staff report]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Shlomo Carlebach Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Chaim Soutine

Among his friends in Paris was Amedeo Modigliani, who became another famous Jewish artist. They painted portraits of each other. After art dealer Albert Barnes purchased 60 of Soutine’s paintings in 1923, Soutine celebrated by hiring a taxi to drive him from Paris to nice, more than 400 miles away. [SDJA staff]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Chaim Soutine Read More »

Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Families of Hamas Hostages to Speak in La Jolla Jan. 15

“They will share their stories, shedding light on the challenging circumstances they face,” according to an IAC announcement. “Together, let’s raise awareness and advocate for the freedom of our hostages.” [SDJA staff report]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Families of Hamas Hostages to Speak in La Jolla Jan. 15 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: A Potpourri of Jewish News Items

Chabad of La Costa has notified its congregants of a “new mitzvah opportunity.”  In its weekly update, it reports: “there are a number of patients at UCSD La Jolla that have come from Israel to receive transplants here. They need our help.  Bikur Cholim of S. Diego is a community organization helping the sick with care packages, visitation, driving spouses to and from the hospital, etc.  [SDJW staff report]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: A Potpourri of Jewish News Items Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Madrid museum welcomes ruling it can keep painting looted by Nazis

Published by Reuters Ruling Went Against Heirs of Cassirer Family of La Mesa, California By Catarina Demony and Elena Rodriguez MADRID (Reuters) – One of Spain’s top museums welcomed a U.S. court decision allowing it to keep a French impressionist painting looted from a Jewish woman by the Nazis, which the museum said it had

Madrid museum welcomes ruling it can keep painting looted by Nazis Read More »

California, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nordot, USA

How Antisemitism Has Manifested Itself Since Oct. 7

In the three months since the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, U.S. antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed, reaching a total of 3,283 incidents between Oct. 7 and Jan. 7, according to ADL’s (the Anti-Defamation League) preliminary data. This represents a 360-percent increase compared to the same period one year prior, which saw 712 incidents. [ADL Press Release]

How Antisemitism Has Manifested Itself Since Oct. 7 Read More »

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jared Kushner

When Ivanka’s father, Donald Trump, became U.S. President in 2017, Jared became a senior advisor in the White House and director of the Office of American Innovation. He was put in charge of Trump’s initiative in the Middle East, which resulted in the Abraham Accords among Israel, United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco.[SdJW staff]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jared Kushner Read More »

Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA