Judaism

Survivor Ruth G. Sax impresses Comic- Con audience

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Although Ruth Goldschmiedova Sax of Chula Vista conceded that she didn’t grow up with comics, or even know about Superman, whom she subsequently came to admire, she was clearly the hit of a panel on art and the Holocaust that was held Thursday, July 19, at the Comic-Can

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA

The chicken farmer who was tarred and feathered

By Oliver Pollak SAN FRANCISCO — The 25th Annual Laborfest in San Francisco, held in July, is a month long celebration with 55 programs of remembrance, struggle, accomplishment and martyrdom. California Historical Society director Anthea Hartig opened an event at the CHS quoting James Baldwin – “American history is longer, larger, more various, more beautiful, and

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Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, USA

Suicide’s memoir indicts the Gur sect of Hassidim

Doing His Will (Osah Kirtzono) by Esti Weinstein, published in Hebrew by Kinneret, Zmora-Bitan, Dvir, 2016. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson  JERUSALEM –The poor woman who wrote this book (and eventually committed suicide) was born into a specific sect, tantamount to a cult, of ultra-Orthodox Judaism known as the Gur Hassidim As a child and teenager the author

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Middle East

OpEd: ‘Never Again’ should be reserved for Holocaust

By Dov Marhoffer I am a Holocaust concentration camp survivor. I am one of a rapidly dwindling number of eyewitnesses to the Nazi Holocaust, the most systematic genocide of all time. I regularly speak at high schools, universities, and community events, sharing my eyewitness account with newer generations of Americans who have no concept of

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International, Jewish History, USA

Editor’s E-Mail Box: July 13, 2018 (2 items)

Episcopal Church rejects divestment, but other resolutions are hostile to Israel The American Jewish Committee (AJC) has commended the Episcopal Church for once again rejecting divestment directed against Israel, but expresses concern regarding open hostility toward Israel in other resolutions. The Episcopal Church is concluding its 79th triennial General Convention, held in Austin, Texas, at

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, Sports & Competitions, USA

Holocaust Museum exhibit studies the U.S. response

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)— Marking its 25th anniversary year, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has on display a special exhibition, “Americans and the Holocaust,” which examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and the persecution and murder of Jews in Europe during the 1930s and ‘40s. Based on

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International, Jewish History, USA

‘Just Kidding:’ Trump wants Tisha B’Av to be ‘fun again’

By Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Perplexed and more than a little peeved, President Trump was on a tear about the responses he’d been receiving from rabbis and other Jewish leaders he’d invited to a gala White House event the coming weekend of July 21-22. “Almost every RSVP for the kosher extravaganza has been along

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Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Survivors to receive higher German payments

WASHINGTON D.C. (Press Release) — Julius Berman, President of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), announced on Tuesday the outcomes from the organization’s negotiations on behalf of Jewish Holocaust survivors with the German government. “The significant increase for social welfare services secured by our negotiating team will lead to more home care,

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International, Jewish History, USA

‘Jewish Libya:’ background for the next James Michener

Jewish Libya: Memory & Identity in Text & Image, edited by Jacque Roumani, David Meghnagi & Judith Roumani; © 2018, Syracuse University Press, ISBN 9780815-635628; 280 pages plus bibliography, appendices, and index. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Jewish Libya is an anthology about a place that no longer exists.  Since Israel’s successful 1967

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East

Diverse diners bid adieu to beloved restaurant

By Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — Salute, an Italian restaurant in Marina Bay, lost its lease under parlous circumstances and closed. On the last two days they prepared hundreds of free last suppers. It was crowded. The valet parking area was overwhelmed. Our table seated five Jews and one son of a Nazi. All

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, Oliver Pollak, Travel and Food, USA