Jewish History

Jewish biography: Émile Waldteufel, waltz king of Paris

In 1865, Waldteufel was appointed pianist to Empress Eugénie and soon received the position of conductor and ball manager at the court of Napoleon III. He was also the conductor of the ball orchestra “Bals de l’Opéra” in Paris (1865). [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Democrats vote on aid to Israel not what GOP paints it to be

While it’s easy to try to look at the Massie vote through a binary lens of being “for” or “against” Israel – precisely how Republicans wanted us to see it – the truth is much more complicated, nuanced, and tells a different story. The real story includes Donald Trump’s reckless and at times incoherent policies toward Israel and Iran, and it’s important to understand these complexities before judging anyone solely because of their vote on the Massie amendment. (Halie Soifer)

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Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Being an invited guest in the German city that my father fled

My father left Germany, but had to leave his mother behind, hoping that he would manage to bring her over to England, but that turned out to be impossible. For the rest of his life my father lived with the sense of guilt and remorse at not having succeeded in rescuing his mother, who perished in Theresienstadt from malnutrition and neglect. (Dorothea Shefer-Vanson)

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Antisemitism, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Come witness the remarkable resilience in Sha’ar HaNegev

After years of war, extended evacuation, separation, and profound grief, there is a new energy in Sha’ar HaNegev focused on rebuilding and reconnecting its 10,000 residents. I came away moved, inspired, and immensely proud that San Diego has been such a critical partner in this work. (Heidi Gantwerk)

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

Gaza genocide didn’t happen; American public duped by Palestinian propaganda

Many American Jews are unwittingly playing a dangerous game. They are much too critical of Israeli policies and Israel’s prime minister, and they are often loud about it. Progressive Jewish politicians take stands against Israel, playing to anti-Israel sentiment among voters including some hyper-critical Jewish ones. “Genocide” is bandied about when no such thing happened in Gaza. [Steve Kramer]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

San Diego’s Global Conference for Israel in November to attract thousands

Thousands of supporters of the land and people of Israel will gather at the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in San Diego from November 12–15, 2026, for the Global Conference for Israel, which has grown from several hundred attendees to the largest annual gathering of Zionists in the United States. [Press Release]

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Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Bill defeated to cut off U.S. aid to Israel

A proposal by lame duck U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) to cut off all aid to Israel failed Wednesday in a 104-314 vote in the House of Representatives, with 10 lawmakers voting “present.” Besides Massie, more than 100 Democrats voted in favor of the measure, whereas all other Republicans voted against it. (SDJW staff)

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Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

PEN America president’s resignation is in service to BDS movement

He argued that by defending Jewish writers against coordinated cultural boycotts, the organization was unethically restricting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which he views as constitutionally protected political speech. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Online antisemitism contends Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi is Jewish or controlled by Jews

Following Argentina’s victory over Algeria, posts targeting Lionel Messi falsely claimed that he is Jewish, controlled by Jews or benefiting from alleged Jewish influence over FIFA and the World Cup. The posts drew on the longstanding antisemitic trope that Jews secretly control institutions and manipulate outcomes from behind the scenes. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Sports & Competitions

Jewish biography: Marc Bloch, social historian

Bloch transferred Durkheim’s anti-dogmatism to historical science, abandoning the description of “great men” in favor of the analysis of collective thinking. Bloch was deeply influenced by Durkheim, who also believed that links between historians and sociologists were more significant than their differences. (Alex Gordon)

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Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

What did Marilyn Monroe read?

Monroe’s trove is a spellbinder with opportunities for many discoveries about intellectual growth, social connections, political views and the literary milieu between author, publisher, and reader. Monroe, an autodidact, self-directed her education aided by purchases, gifts from authors and friends, and World Literature extension courses at UCLA. She visited Powell Library before it was called the Powell Library. Marilyn did not graduate high school, she wanted to “better” herself. [Oliver Pollak]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food