Judaism

Aviva Saad and Ronnie Diamond Older Adult Center dedicated

Now named in honor of Aviva Saad, founding program coordinator of 19 years, and Ronnie Diamond, who worked hard to start and continually fundraise for the Center since it first began as the University City Older Adult Center. The Center that now bears their names will carry forward their legacies of compassion, connection, community and care. [Press Release]

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Jewish History, Lifestyles, Press Release, San Diego County

Israel continues to grow notwithstanding Mideast turbulence

Even amid war, tension, and uncertainty, the country’s population reached more than 10 million, growing by 146,000 people over the past year. People are still choosing to make aliyah (immigration to Israel). Young families are planting roots. Communities, both new and established, are expanding to create thriving populations. Not because we have to, but because it’s the place to be a part of the Jewish people. (Russell Robinson)

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Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

In the wake of Islamic Center tragedy, interfaith suspicions still linger

For our enemies, for those who commit the greatest violence motivated by the deepest hatred, it does not matter if we stand arm in arm or cower alone. We are all on their hit list. If anything, our division makes us easier targets, our silence coming across like acceptance. [Matt Winstel]

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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mamdani commemorates ‘Nakba Day’

Nakba Day is the silliest, most childlike excuse ever created to explain away defeat in war. Most nations and peoples who are vanquished take their losses in a saddened, subdued manner. The less said the better. The Arabs would proclaim it from the highest of their tall, looming minarets, where Muslims make the call to prayer five times a day. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

RJC hails Ed Gallrein’s GOP primary victory over Rep. Thomas Massie, an opponent of Israel

Massie has stood alone among House Republicans in opposing aid to our ally Israel, voting against bipartisan resolutions condemning antisemitism, and, in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack — the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust — Massie voted against emergency assistance for Israel as it fought a war for its very survival. His record is indefensible, and tonight, the Republican primary voters of Kentucky held him accountable. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, USA

Jewish daughter pays tribute to her late ‘Show Biz’ mom Terry Miller

My mom loved to be silly and was able to find humor in most situations. After she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in January 2022, she asked, “How did these cancer cells get to all these other parts of my body? Are they, like, campers hiking around and setting up campsites roasting marshmallows around a fire? Wouldn’t that be a funny sketch?” [Amanda Miller]

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Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

An echo from the past

As I read the message the memory of the composer, Verdina Shlonsky, and her articles about French composers she had known in Paris, came flooding back. I recalled her as a kind, elderly lady who lived in a small apartment on the top floor of an old Tel Aviv building with virtually no furniture other than a piano and a couch. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

Federation’s Heidi Gantwerk traveled to D.C. to lobby for more money for security of religious institutions

We have long believed that security cannot be an afterthought for any community of faith — and today is a devastating reminder that this reality extends to every house of worship in our city and across the country. That is why we are in Washington fighting for resources that protect communities like the one attacked today. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Devorah Marcus, 13 others, honored at California Capitol

“Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary contributions Jewish Americans have made to our state and nation, while also reflecting on the values that have sustained our community across generations – our commitment to justice, learning, service, and repairing the world,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus. [Press Release]

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California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County, USA