By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The Jewish people have a long experience of functioning in absurd situations. The very creation of the State of Israel was an unthinkable event, the realization of an unattainable dream. This is what the struggle between Soviet Jews and the Soviet authorities for the right of repatriation in the
Eugene Ionesco: Rhinoceroses Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Dr. Avigail Rock’s book (1971-2019) “Great Biblical Commentators,” is a very informative, eye-opening, thought-provoking introduction to 24 of the many rabbis and scholars who commented on the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. All of the many who did so could not be listed in the 426 easy-to-read
An Introduction to Jewish Biblical Commentators Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Soul Doctor: Journey of a Rockstar Rabbi is a filmed stage show about the friendship and mutual support between Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and African-American singer Nina Simone. Starring Josh Young as Carlebach and Nya as Simone, the musical will be shown in more than 600 theatres across the country at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, including selected AMC’s and Regal Theatres in San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]
Sadie Weiner — beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to members of the San Diego Jewish community — passed away on May 15 in Perth, Australia. She was 96 and lived independently until the final few weeks of her life. She was born Sadie Navias on August 9, 1926, in Johannesburg, South Africa, before living in
In Memoriam: Sadie Weiner, 96 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials
MGSDII operates parallel programs, with different professors, at San Diego State University, Cal State University San Marcos, and the University of San Diego. One year, an Israeli professor taught at Cal Western Law School. Cumulatively, the universities in San Diego County host the largest ongoing Israel Studies program in the United States, having attracted through the 2022-2023 academic year 43 visiting professors from Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Program Builds Connections Between Israeli Academics and Local Universities Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Author Esther David tells of the history and cuisines of five Jewish communities in India –the Bene Israel, centered in Mumbai; the Cochin Jews on India’s southwestern coast around Kochi; the Baghdadi Jews on India’s northeastern coast around Kolkata (close to Bangladesh); the Bene Ephraim of Andhra Pradesh on India’s central eastern coast around Machilpatnam; and the Beni Menashe of Manipur and Mizoram on the northeastern arm of India bordering Myanmar (Burma). [Donald H. Harrison]
The Jewish Foods of India in Five Distinct Sub-Cultures Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — It’s not often that a d’var Torah I write begins with the words of Rabbi Steven S. Wise, but this week’s parasha Bamidbar, read the week before Shavuot, is one of those times. In 1905 he said, “Help and respect can come to a people only through self-help
Parashat Bamidbar: Help and Respect Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Jerry Klinger BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Every Julius Rosenwald marker has a backstory. The Rosenwald marker story in Boynton Beach had a shocking twist. The Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation (JASHP) recently donated and dedicated with its partners, the Boynton Beach Historical Society and the Boynton Beach Historic Resources Preservation Board, its newest
The Rosenwald Schools in Palm Beach County: Keeping Open the Door of Freedom Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
This large format book for elementary school-aged children is about Luis de Torres, who was the interpreter for Christopher Columbus on his 1492 voyage of discovery. Some of the story is true, as best as historians can tell; more of the story comes from the rich imagination of authorTami Lehman-Wilzig. Overall, it should be considered a work of historical fiction, rather than history. [Donald H. Harrison]
An Imaginative Tale About the First Jew to Set Foot in the New World Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History
Spielberg established the Shoah Foundation, which is headquarters in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, after making the impactful Holocaust movie Schindler’s List. UC San Diego’s former head librarian Brian Schottlaender, consulting with History Prof. Deborah Hertz, decided during the 2006-2007 academic year to lease the database and to make it available for free to anyone on campus. [Donald H. Harrison]
Workshop Highlights Holocaust Experiences and Research Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
In Jewish tradition, the fate of the world depends upon 36 upstanding people known as the Lamed Vavniks. As a matter of interest, there are 36 leaders and officers of the Jewish Teen Foundation (JTF) in San Diego County. They will be awarding philanthropic funds that they have raised to various nonprofit organization at a 4 p.m. ceremony Sunday May 21 at Congregation Beth Am in the Carmel Valley neighborhood of San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Jewish Eye: San Diego Teen Philanthropists; Mayorkas, Sanders Under Fire Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USABy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Nechemta, a message of comfort, hope, and peace often heard at the close of a rabbi’s sermon, is something we can always benefit from hearing, but particularly with increased antisemitism that we are facing daily, it strikes me as an even more cherished message. In this week’s
Parshiot Behar – Bechukotai: A Message of Comfort, Hope, and Peace Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBarry Schneider, a past commander of the Jewish War Veterans, and Combat Antisemitism Movement Adam Beren were among speakers at the Oklahoma State House on Monday when Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a declaration declaring that every May henceforth will be designated Jewish American Heritage Month in Oklahoma. In Virginia, meanwhile, Gov. Glenn Youngkin also declared May to be Jewish American Heritage Month in his state and also signed a declaration adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. [Donald H. Harrison]
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Are you ready to swing into action at Congregation Beth Israel’s Annual fundraiser? Cheer on our very own dancing stars as they take to the dance floor with professional dance partners to bring you a night of high-energy dance performances on Saturday, June 3, from 6-10 p.m. Kick-off the evening
Dancing With the Stars: Congregation Beth Israel’s Annual Fundraiser Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County