Scaling the left field wall on April 15, 2015 to rob the Tampa Bay Rays of a homerun was voted as the play of the year by Pillar’s Toronto Blue Jays fans. Less than two months later, Pillar hit two home runs in the same game off Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals. [SDJW staff report]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Kevin Pillar Read More »
Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
One routine involved adding a number to any word containing the sound of a number, so, for example, “wonderful” became “twoderful” and “anyone for tennis?” became “any two for elevennis?” Another shtick was reading books aloud, making special sound effects to indicate punctuation. [SDJW staff report]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Victor Borge Read More »
International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
Exodus starts by stating that after Joseph and his generation died, and their descendants multiplied exceedingly, “a new king arose who did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). This phrase has many interpretations. It could mean: “who did not fulfill Joseph’s decrees” (Targum Onkelos); he behaved as if he didn’t know Joseph (Babylonian Talmud, Sotah 11a); and he didn’t know him personally (Gersonides). Which makes the most sense? Should we say, “This is obscure”? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Questions about the Biblical Weekly Portion Shemot Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Our Movement offers a big tent with room for many diverse perspectives and backgrounds, rooted in tradition and inclusive of people with diverse backgrounds and needs. [Rabbi Jacob Blumenthal]
Conservative Judaism’s Leader Relates Movement’s Core Values Read More »
Jewish Religion, Press Release
Imagine this: you, nestled in His embrace, unshackled from earthly limits. Now, wouldn’t Hashem naturally want to protect and provide for you? That’s the essence of Bitachon – a deep assurance that, fueled by your trust, Hashem’s blessings will manifest, regardless of any perceived “worthiness.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parasha Shemot: Trust in God, Have Compassion for Others Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Approximately 673 years ago, the Sarajevo Haggadah was given as a wedding present, not in Bosnia but in Spain, where it remained until 1492, when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled those Jews who would not convert to Catholicism. The ancient and beautifully illustrated narration of the Passover seder was a treasure that the Jewish family carried with it over the generations, first to Italy and later to Sarajevo, Bosnia. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Book Relates the Odyssey of the Sarajevo Haggadah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The family immigrated to the United States in 1923 and owned candy stores, where, as youngsters, Isaac, his sister Manya, and brother, Stanley, all worked. The stores stocked science fiction magazines and newspapers, perhaps accounting for Isaac becoming a science fiction writer and Stanley a vice president of Long Island Newsday. [SD Jewish World staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Isaac Asimov Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
Many in the world, and especially in the United States, are ignorant of the fact that Israel is one of the most ethnically diverse nations in the world, with only a 30% White/European population. Israel has a population that is 21% Arab. If you have been to Israel then you know that there are Ethiopian Jews, Sephardic, Mizrahi and more groups throughout Israel. [Barrett Holman Leak]
OpEd: Beware Efforts to Divide Jews and African-Americans Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
By Brooke Goldstein NEW YORK — As we welcome 2024, I am honored to share with you a recap of the impactful journey we’ve undertaken at The Lawfare Project over the past year. Amidst unprecedented challenges, our team has remained steadfast in our commitment to upholding justice and defending the legal rights of the Jewish
Fighting Antisemites in the U.S. and Around the World Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Published by Reuters By Rich McKay (Reuters) – Shecky Greene, a comic legend of the old-school Las Vegas lounge acts who rubbed elbows with yesteryear entertainment greats, died on Sunday, his widow told the media. His wife of 41 years, Marie Musso Greene, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that her husband, born Fred Sheldon Greenfield
Las Vegas Standup Comic Shecky Greene Dies at 97 Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Nordot, Obituaries & memorials
The massacre of October 7, 2023 led to a dramatic rise in antisemitism worldwide and an awareness among Israelis of their identity as Jewish people.[Alex Gordon]
Jewish History of Pogroms Repeats Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
At times like this, each one of us becomes an ambassador for Israel. Even if you don’t agree with everything Israel does, any decent person must stand up for Israel’s right to self-defense. [Rabbi Aron Moss]
Q&A about the Israel-Hamas War Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Catcher in the Rye, featuring the adventures of the cynical Holden Caulfield, was greeted enthusiastically by literary reviewers and by high school teachers, but in other parts of the country, it was denounced as smut because of Salinger’s frequent use of such words as “goddamn,” bastard,” “Chrissakes.”[SDJW Staff report]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: J. D. Salinger Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
Jews cannot be blamed if they wonder whether U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is calling us Christ-killers. She posted two anti-Israel Instagram messages during Christmas that links Gazans to Jesus. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Congress Should Expel AOC for Her Antisemitic Commentary Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA