Judaism

March of the Living’s Local Leaders Tell Motivations, Experiences

People have asked us why we joined Jewish Federation of San Diego’s March of the Living mission—and why we agreed to co-chair the trip. For each of us, the motivation was different. [Sonia Israel, Shari Schenk, and Jeff Schindler]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

San Diego Jewish Community Counts the Omer

The days between Passover and Shavout include counting the Omer. The countdown represents the time between our ancestors’ liberation and the time they accepted the responsibility of becoming Torah-observing Jews. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Aaron, Job, and Holocaust Survivors Wrestled with Spiritual Pain

On Yom HaShoah, we pause to remember the millions whose lives were extinguished in the Holocaust, their voices silenced by unimaginable atrocities. Their suffering, and the silence that often followed, echoes the biblical narratives of Aaron and Job … [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Yom HaShoah Remembrance: Miriam Samuel, My Aunt, z”l

Oh, Marijke, that scene is etched in my mind,
As friends turned to foes, oh, how cruel and unkind.
Neighbors swooped in like vultures in flight,
“Let me take this; I’ll claim it,” they’d bite. … {Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Netflix Documentary Tells of 7 Jewish Siblings who Survived Nazi Germany

‘Unbroken’ is based on the true story of the Weber family that escaped Nazi Germany and immigrated to America. The World War II documentary by Beth Lane explores the areas in Germany where her mother’s family lived and re-traces her family’s stories of survival. This documentary is streamed on Netflix as of April 23 in honor of Yom HaShoah. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Yom HaShoah Remembrance: Leo Samuel, My Father, z”l

Religion shaped our lives every single day,
My father was faithful, guiding in his way.
With Rabbi skills, though he chose business,
His heart stayed true, despite the stress. … [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Yasher Koach to Staffs of These 4 Jewish Organizations

– Jewish Federation of San Diego, Lawrence Family JCC, Israeli American Council and Jewish Community Foundation San Diego have three community gatherings happening all in one week. If you work for the Federation, JCC, IAC or JCFSD or know someone who does, they deserve a hug, yasher koach or, L’Chaim for all the work that goes into coordinating these events. All three of these events are free and open to the public but register for them for attendance purposes. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jewish Biography: Isaak Dunayevsky, Soviet Pop Composer

Isaak Dunayevsky, the USSR’s most famous and highly paid pop composer, twice winner of the Stalin Prize, was the most talented and most influential composer of his genre in the Land of the Soviets. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast