© Oliver B. Pollak FRANKFURT, Germany — Flying in a jet for three hours or more, reading above the clouds, I encounter new and old ideas. I mark my books, take notes and write at 33,000 feet. Completely unmoored from landform and architecture, floating or hurtling at 560 to 615 miles per hour, is exhilarating. Karen
Traveling in our Parents’ Footsteps Read More »
International, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, Travel and FoodNEW YORK (Press Release) – In a letter to the Vatican, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) has expressed profound concerns regarding the Pope’s announcement recognizing Cardinal August Hlond, the Polish Primate during World War II, as having “heroic virtues” – a stage towards being made a saint. Moving forward with the canonization process “will be
Church move to honor Hlond ‘concerns’ AJC Read More »
International, Jewish History, USABy Jerry Klinger KETCHUM, Idah0 — The other day, Emily Sue, a dear friend from Spokane, wrote to me she was headed to visit her kin at their family’s Sheep Ranch in Howe, Idaho. She was planning on a side trip to the annual Trailing of the Sheep festival in Ketchum, Idaho. I had never
Sun Valley’s Jews and anti- Semites Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USA
LA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — Joseph “Chickie” Glickman, a philanthropist who was days away from his 103rd birthday, died at his home in La Jolla on Monday, May 21. Private funeral services were scheduled, with family members planning to observe shiva on Wednesday at a private residence The youngest of nine children, Glickman was raised in Minneapolis,
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Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — One of the traditions of Shavuot is the all night Torah study session known as the Tikkun Leil Shavuot, meaning Rectification (or Repair) for Shavuot Night. What are the roots of this custom? A. The practice of the Tikkun Leil Shavuot was put forth by Rabbi Isaac Luria
Jewish trivia quiz: Tikkun Leil Shavuot Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
© Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — My academic introduction to Jewish cemeteries dates back to a paper delivered by Iowa State University anthropology professor David Gradwohl at the Missouri Valley History Conference in Omaha in the late 1970s. Ritual burial and respect for the dead are integral to the Jewish faith. Grave stones are
Every day is Memorial Day at Tel Shalom Read More »
Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Pastor Robert Jeffress of Dallas spoke these words at the opening ceremony of the United States embassy in Jerusalem: “We come before you, the God of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob, thanking you for bringing us to this momentous occasion in the life of your people and in the history
Evangelical Christians and the U.S. Embassy in Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
BALTIMORE, Maryland (Press Release) –Shoshana Cardin, a trailblazing leader of the American Jewish community, died May 18 in her home in Baltimore. She was 91 years old. “Shoshana Cardin was a natural leader of the Jewish people at a critical time in our history,” said American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris. Cardin had served as
Jewish communal leader Shoshana Cardin mourned Read More »
International, Obituaries & memorials, USABy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista recently told me of a conversation he had with a young woman working behind the counter of an ice cream shop. Noting her unhappy expression, he told her that she should be very proud of the work
Cheesecake cups and ‘yetzers’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food
(c) Oliver B. Pollak LAFAYETTE, California — In the late 1960s Reform seminaries accepted women as students. The first was ordained in 1972. Like law school and medical school female presence was small and unusual. This distinct and growing cohort, a result of the Second wave feminism, became the norm and in some instances the majority
Rabbi Judy Shanks retires from Lafayette pulpit Read More »
Jewish Religion, Oliver Pollak, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Isaac Artenstein’s newest documentary, To The Ends of the Earth: A Portrait of Jewish San Diego, which is on sale at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park, tapped present and past Jewish leaders of San Diego to narrate the story of 168 years of Jewish settlement
Documentary on San Diego Jewry very well done Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego CountySAN DIEGO (SDJW)– The exhibition, “Celebrate San Diego: The History and Heritage of San Diego’s Jewish Community,” will close on Sunday, June 3, at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. As a send off, the History Center is holding a reception from 6 to 8 p.m.,Thursday, May 31, at which the exhibition’s curator,
Jews of San Diego exhibition closes June 3 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, San Diego Calendar
BALTIMORE, Maryland (Press Release) — On June 24, the Jewish Museum of Maryland (JMM), in Baltimore, will open Inescapable: The Life and Legacy of Harry Houdini, an original exhibit exploring the life and legacy of the world’s most famous magician. Featuring dozens of artifacts, photos and archival records, many on loan from public and private collections,
Jewish Museum of Maryland to open Houdini exhibit Read More »
Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABt Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Ahh, Shavuot is soon upon us. With its extended synagogue services, special readings including the story of Ruth and the 10 Commandments among others, Tikkun Leil Shavuot –the practice of staying up all night studying Torah — and of course all of those traditional delectable dairy dishes
How to THINk THIN for Shavuot Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Travel and Food