Obituaries & memorials

Memorial Marker for 11 Olympians from Israel Replaced in London, England

Sugarman explained, “Hackney was designated an Olympic Borough. (It was) Part of the Games facilities were in our Borough. We asked for a site in the Olympic Park, but it was designated too political and would upset the Arabs and others. Then we tried the Stratford Westfield shopping Centre, right near the stadium/. It would have been perfect. No.  So we went with this site.” [Jerry Klinger]

Memorial Marker for 11 Olympians from Israel Replaced in London, England Read More »

Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Halloween Costumes Also Serve Well During Purim

Jewish Mom hack: If you do not celebrate “Halloween,” think of Purim. Costumes at certain places and online go on sale and can be used in the late Winter/Spring of Purim. In 2026 (can you believe we are even mentioning 2026?), Purim lands on Monday, March 2. [Cailin Acosta]

Halloween Costumes Also Serve Well During Purim Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish Community Aids Families Affected by Federal Furlough

To qualify, applicants must be federal employees (including contractors) in the San Diego Jewish community who are directly affected by the federal furlough. The loan amount is up to $2,500. The guarantor is waived for this specific program only. [Cailin Acosta]

Jewish Community Aids Families Affected by Federal Furlough Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive VP of the Orthodox Union, Dead at 60

“Rabbi Hauer was an exemplar of what it meant to be a Torah Jew. Torah framed his life, and he used Torah to frame our lives,” said Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the OU, who spoke in both Jerusalem and New York. “I have lost a brother,” Joseph said, describing his close working relationship with Rabbi Hauer as they led the OU together for the past five years. [Press Release]

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive VP of the Orthodox Union, Dead at 60 Read More »

Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, USA

Tifereth Israel Congregants Gather Ahead of Funeral to Mourn Volunteer Extraordinaire Phil Lorang

Formal funeral services will be held Monday at 1 p.m. at El Camino Memorial Park. More than 100 people gathered informally Sunday in the social hall of Tifereth Israel Synagogue to share their memories for more than an hour. Here’s a partial summary of what was said about Phil in a session moderated by Rabbi Hanan Leberman, who described him as “a role model of kindness and chesed.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Tifereth Israel Congregants Gather Ahead of Funeral to Mourn Volunteer Extraordinaire Phil Lorang Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Hispanic Heritage Month Includes Many Jews

Mexico has had a Jewish population since the early Colonial Era. Many individuals could not openly worship as they would be persecuted for practicing Judaism. Mexico eventually adopted freedom of religion and began receiving Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis. [Cailin Acosta]

Hispanic Heritage Month Includes Many Jews Read More »

Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Reactions to a Historic Day in the Saga of the Middle East

After 738 Days, Hostages are Freed.  7+3+8 = 18, Life! Here in alphabetical order are the reactions from a variety of perspectives to Hamas freeing its hostages; the prospect of peace in the Middle East; and the role of U.S. President Donald J. Trump in achieving this blue-ribbon moment. [SDJW staff]

Reactions to a Historic Day in the Saga of the Middle East Read More »

California, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Federation Conducts Training Program for Students to Fight Antisemitism

This program is for Jewish high school students to join a research-backed initiative that empowers them to combat antisemitism by sharing their Jewish identity and what it means to them personally. Students are provided the conversational and social tools necessary to navigate rising antisemitism and build strong relationships between Jewish and non-Jewish students. [Cailin Acosta]

Federation Conducts Training Program for Students to Fight Antisemitism Read More »

Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Gladys Sturman, Jewish Activist & Western States Jewish History Publisher

She served on the boards of the Bureau of Jewish Education, the San Fernando Valley Alliance, Kadima Hebrew Academy, the University of Judaism, the West Valley JCC, and the Catholic-Jewish Women’s Conference. She was also the publisher of the Western States Jewish History Journal. [Rabbi David Vorspan]

Gladys Sturman, Jewish Activist & Western States Jewish History Publisher Read More »

California, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Meaning of the Shofar Blasts

When we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us that G-d created the world, and He is our King. Additionally, when we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us to reflect on our past mistakes and return to G-d. [Cailin Acosta]

The Meaning of the Shofar Blasts Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

Mass Execution at Babi Yar and Subsequent Flooding of Kurenevka Part of Ukraine’s Tragic History

After the war, Kiev was rebuilt, constructed, and grew. Brick factories were built. Kiev became a large construction site. Local brick factories dumped their waste, which was diluted with water, into Babi Yar. The ravine gradually filled with slurry, a mixture of sand, clay, and water. The population of Kiev grew. The residential area of Kurenevka was located near Babi Yar. Babi Yar was 65 meters above Kurenevka. [Alex Gordon]

Mass Execution at Babi Yar and Subsequent Flooding of Kurenevka Part of Ukraine’s Tragic History Read More »

Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors