Jewish History

Philip Freeman, Volunteer Firewatcher: Recognizing Jewish Heroism and Honor

By Jerry Klinger Philip Freeman was too old to enlist in the regular British Armed Forces during World War II. 67. Yet, he felt compelled to do what he could. Freeman or Friedman, his is spelled both ways in records, lived in very modest housing at 131 Magdalan Road in Exeter. He father was Hyman

Philip Freeman, Volunteer Firewatcher: Recognizing Jewish Heroism and Honor Read More »

International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History

San Francisco Rabbis Protested WWII Japanese-American Incarceration

San Francisco State historian Marc Dollinger said only one Jewish group – the Reform rabbis of San Francisco – publicly objected to the incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II.  The rest of the organized Jewish community acquiesced to the imprisonment of these innocent American citizens, Dollinger said during the 18th annual Mimi Epstein Memorial Lecture at Temple Isaiah on Sunday, Dec. 4, here. [Donald H. Harrison]

San Francisco Rabbis Protested WWII Japanese-American Incarceration Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

November 30 in Jerusalem: Annual Remembrance Day for Jews Expelled From Arab Lands

(JNS) Nov. 30, 2022, is proscribed by Israeli law as the annual remembrance day when 850,000 Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews were driven, expelled, coerced, and “encouraged” to leave their homes across all Arab lands and from Iran.  It will mark the 75th anniversary from when the expulsion pressures began with redoubled earnestness. One day earlier, on Nov.

November 30 in Jerusalem: Annual Remembrance Day for Jews Expelled From Arab Lands Read More »

Israel, Jewish History, Middle East

La Jolla Exhibition to Mark 175 Years of Jewish Life in South Africa

LA JOLLA, Calif. — On Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6:30-9 p.m., South African Jewish American Community (SAJAC) San Diego will hold the gala opening of “The Goldene Medina: Celebrating 175 Years of Jewish Life in South Africa,” a new exhibition in La Jolla. Gourmet bites and refreshments will be served. September 2016 marked the 175th

La Jolla Exhibition to Mark 175 Years of Jewish Life in South Africa Read More »

International, Jewish History, San Diego County

The Red Terror of the Pacifist

By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The assassination in Sarajevo of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Habsburg throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was the most important political assassination of the twentieth century, for it was the trigger for World War I. However, this assassination, committed in 1914, was not the only resounding political assassination in the

The Red Terror of the Pacifist Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion

Israeli Election Primer: The Players, the Stakes, the Issues

An ideologically diverse coalition of parties led by the centrist Prime Minister Yair Lapid opposes Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc. Lapid cobbled together this “change coalition” after the last election in March 2021. It incorporated all of the left and center parties, multiple right-wing parties, and, for the first time in Israeli history, an Arab party. These parties had only one goal in common: end Netanyahu’s 12 years in power. [Nikolai Schweber]

Israeli Election Primer: The Players, the Stakes, the Issues Read More »

Israel, Jewish History

Largest-of-its-Kind ‘Tree of Life’ to be Dedicated in Ma’ale Adumim

(JNS) On Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. at the beautiful, lakeside Shamir Park located in Ma’ale Adumim, a growing city outside of nearby Jerusalem, the district’s newest tourist and interpretive cultural attraction, the “Tree of Life,” will be dedicated by Mayor Benny Kashriel. The public is invited to attend the ceremony and share in the

Largest-of-its-Kind ‘Tree of Life’ to be Dedicated in Ma’ale Adumim Read More »

Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Hitler’s Portrait and a Response to Antisemitism

Some of you may have heard about an incident at Carmel Valley Middle School, where a teacher there had on display, among several pictures of other historical figures, a photo of Adolph Hitler. When confronted by a student who protested, the teacher responded that while Hitler did some bad things he also displayed strong leadership qualities. Parents and community members were rightfully very concerned and expressed that concern to school district leaders. [Heidi Gantwerk]

Hitler’s Portrait and a Response to Antisemitism Read More »

California, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Lecturer to Discuss Holocaust Poetry Oct. 22

UC San Diego Literature Prof. Amelia Glaser, who has specialized in Jewish studies, will lecture on “Babyn Yar in Contemporary Ukrainian Poetry” at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Drive, San Diego.  The lecture focuses on the Nazi execution of 33,771 Jews at a ravine Sept. 29-30, 1941, and the poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko’s memorial poem written 20 years later. [Temple Emanu-El News Release]

Lecturer to Discuss Holocaust Poetry Oct. 22 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History

Pros and Cons of Ken Burns’ Holocaust Documentary

Many readers of San Diego Jewish World know Baron via his political satire columns, but I asked my colleague to put his hat back on as a Holocaust scholar to assess how well Burns’ documentary had covered the subject.[Donald H. Harrison]

Pros and Cons of Ken Burns’ Holocaust Documentary Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA