The National Park Service has agreed to a request from the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) to include mention of Adolph Sutro’s Jewish heritage on a marker at Sutro Heights Park in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, JASHP announced on Wednesday, Nov. 17. [SDJW]
Sutro Heights Park Marker to Honor Sutro’s Jewish Heritage Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USA
Located twenty miles south of Haifa, Zichron Yaakov is a charming city of 25,000 people situated on the southern end of the Carmel Mountain range. One of the oldest cities in modern Israel, it was established at the end of 1882 by one hundred pioneers from Romania, members of the Hovevei Tzion – or Lovers of Zion – movement. Hovevei Tzion was one of several organizations that gained traction in Europe in response to the waves of pogroms and openly antisemitic laws that had the cumulative effect of causing approximately 2,000,000 Jews to relocate, a minority of whom made their way to Israel. [Gedaliah Borvick]
Celebrating Diversity in Zichron Yaakov Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, Jewish History, Middle East
Bert Edelstein elevated his hand one foot above the table at which he was sitting. “My correspondence file is almost this thick,” he commented. He sent letters to the House of Representatives and the Senate. After the House adopted legislation to recognize the Ghost Army with a Congressional Gold Medal, the focus turned to the U.S. Senate. Under the rules, for the measure even to be considered in committee, it must have at least 67 co-sponsors — two-thirds of the full Senate. The count is getting closer and closer. [Donald H. Harrison]
Psychologist Advocates for Recognition of The Ghost Army Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
After raising the flag and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, military veterans at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, shared some of the happier stories about their time in the military or just afterwards. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Veterans Swap Favorite Stories of Military Times Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
The annual Remembrance Day commemoration on 11th November, not only marks the day when World War One officially ended, commemorating those who served and made the ultimate scarify in a war over a century ago, but is an continuing tribute to all who served in subsequent wars and conflicts in which Australian personal were involved. [Garry Fabian]
In Australia, Veterans Day is Remembrance Day Read More »
International, Jewish History
Published by Chicago Tribune I’m a huge sports fan. And while I have a particular penchant for my hometown Chicago teams, I’ll tune in to any big game. For me, sports provide the unscripted drama that supersedes the latest Netflix binge. Watching an underdog college basketball team make a surprise run to the Elite Eight
Commentary: As Kristallnacht anniversary approaches, I still hope hate speech will end Read More »
Jewish History
Seacrest Village Retirement Community dedicated a portable Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark) donated by Jeanne Gold in memory of her late husband Rabbi Aaron S. Gold at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, Nov. 5. [Donald H. Harrison]
Portable Holy Ark Dedicated at Seacrest Village Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
The San Francisco School Board voted 6-1 on January 29 to rename over 40 schools. The Board believes it inappropriate to have schools named for people who have been “engaged in the subjugation and enslavement of human beings, oppressed women, committed acts that led to genocide or who otherwise significantly diminished the opportunities of those amongst us to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” [Jerry Klinger]
OpEd: Removal of Adolph Sutro’s Name from a School Was a Travesty Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Although gay icon Harvey Milk was Jewish, the U.S. Navy has announced that on Shabbat, it will “christen” the oiler to be named in his honor. Following is the press release from the U.S. Department of Defense: “The Navy will christen the John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), during a 9 a.m. PDT ceremony Saturday, Nov. 6 in San Diego, California.”
Christening on Shabbat of Navy Ship Named for Jewish Gay Icon Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
During my daughter Harriet’s recent visit from Portland, Oregon, I suggested we visit the Chula Vista Public Library to see the Holocaust Exhibit arranged by our friend, Sandra Scheller. Harriet teaches Middle School Humanities at the Portland Jewish Academy and one of her classes is learning about the Holocaust. The drive down from University City was under 25 minutes. Both of us found this visit profoundly worthwhile. Sandra met us there and gave us a private docent tour. [Eileen Wingard]
Visit to Holocaust Exhibit Impresses Mother and Daughter Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
By Gedaliah Borvick I recently met with a young couple living on Levi Eshkol Boulevard in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramat Eshkol and asked them if they knew who Levi Eshkol was. “Wasn’t he a war hero or president many years ago?” was their response. I realized that it was high time to dedicate an
Levi Eshkol: Water Superhero Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, Jewish History
This joint memoir, intended for students in grades 3 through 7, tells the story of two young sisters — one hearing and one deaf — who survived World War II notwithstanding their transport as orphans from Bratislava to the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, where, a year later, Renee, the older of the two sisters, was near death from typhus when the camp was liberated by British soldiers. [Donald H. Harrison]
By Jacob Kamaras When California state lawmakers recently announced $2.5 million in funding to support the expansion of Holocaust Museum LA, it marked the latest step toward realizing a cornerstone of the museum’s founding vision. The state support will fund a new learning center pavilion and new programming for younger learners at the museum. It
Holocaust Museum LA’s Expansion Advances Its Founding Vision Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish History, USA
Released in 2021, Ver Vet Blaybn? (Who Will Remain?), a documentary that follows one woman’s journey to understand her grandfather, Yiddish poet Avrom Sutzkever, is resonating with audiences and having success on the 2021–2022 film festival circuit, with screenings booked at upcoming festivals around the globe, including next February’s San Diego International Jewish Film Festival. [Yiddish Book Center]
Documentary Film Traces Life, Works of Yiddish Poet Avrom Sutzkever Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History