Noting that New York is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel, President Herzog said that there is now “a mayor-elect who shows utter contempt to the nation state of the Jewish people.” [Press Release]
Israel’s President Sharply Criticizes New York’s Mayor-Elect Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA
While Gehry’s Judaism was not a primary part of his identity, what is one creative design that he noted was inspired by his religious background? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Frank Gehry, z”l Read More »
Business & Finance, California, International, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
More than 200 cultural and public figures have signed a petition urging Israel to release convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti from prison. Among Jews signing the petition are singer Paul Simon and journalist Peter Beinart. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 6, 2025 Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Freckles, my beloved angora-mix rabbit, turned 7 on December 4 — the equivalent of 57 in “rabbit years.” My super-cool 13-year-old twins proudly tell everyone that Freckles is a Jewish rabbit. While certainly not kosher, she was blessed in 2019 by then-Rabbi Josh Dorsch of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. [Cailin Acosta]
Our Shtetl: A Jewish Rabbit? Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
One of the first scenes in the movie (directed by James Vanderbilt) is set in the destroyed stadium, where the prominent American attorney, Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson, states ‘Everything began with the laws proclaimed here.” [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Nuremberg Revisited Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Although not all information at a closed-door meeting was disclosed, U.S. Admiral Frank “Mitch” Bradley on Thursday told select senators and congressmen that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not issue explicit “kill them all” orders prior to the second-strike Sept. 2 on an alleged drug-running boat off the Venezuelan coast. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Rabbis Benj Fried of Temple Emanu-El and Jeremy Gimbel of Congregation Beth Israel are among 24-early career rabbis nationwide whose selections were announced by Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York on Thursday. [Press Release]
Two San Diego Reform Rabbis Named as Amplify Israel Initiative Fellows Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Hashem directs Jacob to return home, and Jacob still fears Esau, the brother with whom he has a long and difficult history. Worried for his family’s safety, he divides them into two camps, and then, curiously, spends the night alone. The Torah soon reveals that Jacob wrestles through the night with a mysterious “Man,” an angel. But the real question is: if he was so worried about his family, why didn’t he stay with them? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Vayishlach: Seize Every Second for Something Good Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Press Release
Moshe teaches us that greatness doesn’t come from good intentions alone- it comes from turning compassion into concrete action. A true leader, and a true member of Klal Yisrael, is someone who shows up, who takes responsibility and asks: “What can I do to help?” Every one of us has daily opportunities to be a “do-er”- to step in, support others, and make a difference. Even small actions, when done with sincerity and courage, can have an everlasting effect. [Ilanit Zakowski]
When Memory Becomes Action Read More »
California, Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“Rootless cosmopolitan” became code for “Jewish,” and dismissals swept the arts, sciences and media. The Ministry of State Security arrested Jewish industrial leaders for sabotage and, in 1953, fabricated “the Doctor’s Plot,” which accused a group of predominately Jewish doctors who treated Kremlin officials of trying to assassinate Stalin and other party leaders. [Wendy Z. Goldman]
Stalin’s Postwar Terror Targeted Soviet Jews in the Name of ‘Anti-Cosmopolitanism’ Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined ContributorsDecember has arrived, and the end of 2025 is upon us. Some of my friends say that if they didn’t follow through with their Rosh Hashanah resolutions, they get a re-do on December 31st. [Cailin Acosta]
A Second Chance Coming for New Year’s Resolutions Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Recently, scientists have had success creating lab-grown milk by inserting certain genes into a yeast or fungus. What is the current thinking about the kosher status of that product? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Laboratory-Created Milk Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In February 1940, Adolf Eichmann proposed to the Soviet leadership to transfer two million Jews, which was the majority of Polish Jewry, to the USSR. This step would have allowed most Polish Jews to be saved from destruction. The Soviet Union responded to this proposal with a refusal. [Alex Gordon]
On the Soviet Union’s Involvement in the Holocaust Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined ContributorsHa’aretz reports that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu filed a 107-page petition on Sunday with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog asking that he be pardoned in three long-running cases charging him with corruption. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA