Obituaries & memorials

Dorothy Levitt – the “Fastest Girl in the world”

In 1905, she established the record for the longest drive achieved by a lady driver by driving a De Dion-Bouton from London to Liverpool and back over two days. The Press nicknamed her the Fastest Girl on Earth, and the Champion Lady Motorist of the World. (Jerry Klinger)

Dorothy Levitt – the “Fastest Girl in the world” Read More »

International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Philadelphia media ignores Jewish counterprotests to Oct. 7 celebration by anti-Israel forces

“The media, including The Inquirer, often cite the large number of deaths in Gaza without mentioning the genocidal Hamas’ refusal to disarm there,” they continued. “Antisemitism in this country and abroad swells while the media ignores the struggle of Israelis to maintain the only democratic Jewish state in the world.” (Bruce S. Ticker)

Philadelphia media ignores Jewish counterprotests to Oct. 7 celebration by anti-Israel forces Read More »

Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Holiday pumpkins have been well appreciated by Sephardic Jews

Pumpkin has a rich and often overlooked history in Sephardic Jewish cuisine. Introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, it was quickly embraced by Jews, who incorporated the versatile vegetable into dishes across the Mediterranean and beyond. (Cailin Acosta)

Holiday pumpkins have been well appreciated by Sephardic Jews Read More »

Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Remembering my Great Uncle Jacob

Let me introduce you to my Great Uncle Jacob. I am alive today, along with thousands of my relatives who now reside in Mexico and the United States, because Hashem chose Uncle Jacob to take us out of Triisk, Ukraine, and bring us to Mexico. As a result, we were all saved from the Nazi invasion of Ukraine in 1941, except for one sibling who chose to stay in Triisk. [Avraham Dimensteim]

Remembering my Great Uncle Jacob Read More »

Business & Finance, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Do Jews believe in angels?

Do Jews believe in angels? The Hebrew word for angel, mal’ach, means “messenger,” and in biblical sources, angels deliver specific information or carry out particular functions. In the Torah, an angel prevents Abraham from slaughtering his son Isaac. An angel appears to Moses in the burning bush and gives direction to the Israelites during the desert sojourn following the liberation from Egypt. Angels are associated with visions and prophecies. [Cailin Acosta]

Do Jews believe in angels? Read More »

animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Jewish community’s diverse reflections concerning Oct. 7, 2023

“Three years after Hamas’s October 7 massacre against Israel, we remember those who were murdered and stand with the survivors and people of Israel who will forever carry with them the indelible scars of that day…” (SDJW roundup)

Jewish community’s diverse reflections concerning Oct. 7, 2023 Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Press Release, San Diego County, USA

Waves of antisemitism hit Hillel of San Diego the day after Oct. 7

Then, the very next day, it became a nightmare for Jewish students right here on campus. At Hillel of San Diego, we stopped all other programming and prioritized student well-being and Israel education and connection. We mourned together. We rallied together. We experienced hate again and again – from classmates, former friends, professors, staff – and it really felt at times like we were alone. (Karen Parry)

Waves of antisemitism hit Hillel of San Diego the day after Oct. 7 Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The changing meaning of a Jewish holiday

In 70 CE, with the destruction of the Second Temple, Shemini Atzeret was previously devoted to the ritual cleansing of the altar. In the present day, it marks the beginning of the rainy season in Israel, so it includes the year’s first prayer for rain. [Cailin Acosta]

The changing meaning of a Jewish holiday Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

Where do you stand after the Oct. 7 massacre?

For decades, American Jewry succumbed to a seductive illusion: that we could champion universalism while abandoning particularism; that if we only aligned ourselves with every fashionable political dogma, the world would grant us a permanent pass. We imagined our progressive credentials and refined assimilation would serve as an impenetrable shield. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)

Where do you stand after the Oct. 7 massacre? Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: September 17, 2026

The Jewish Federation of San Diego this week premiered its Sparks Interactive mobile Holocaust museum to the students, faculty and staff of Canyon Hills High School in the Tierrasanta neighborhood of San Diego. (SDJW staff)

The fight against terrorism and antisemitism: September 17, 2026 Read More »

Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Gloria Steinem was her role model

Steinem inspired me to join the National Organization for Women, march for the Equal Rights Amendment, fight for abortion rights, demand equal pay, understand that rape victims never “ask for it” or deserve it, keep my own last name, not be embarrassed by my 5-foot 10-inch frame, pay my own way, and speak up for justice, human rights and deeply held values. [Marsha Sutton}

Gloria Steinem was her role model Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors