Judaism

Contemporary Torah, Parsha Tsav: We Are Each Called

While I have always known I was born B’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God), as a child and through college, I saw many rabbis, but did not see anyone on the bima who looked like me. No one female. Definitely no Black female rabbis. Eventually, I learned there were some women rabbis, and in 2009, one African American woman rabbi was ordained in the Reform tradition. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

San Diegan Recites His Own Personal Exodus — from Russia!

I don’t consider myself religious, but in our family, celebrating Passover is one of the most important events of the year. Every year, we gather around a festive table to repeat the formulaic sequence of storytelling and symbolism (after all, “Seder” means “order”). [Yakov Naverman]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Harry Lerner, 93, Publisher of Children’s Books

Lerner leaves behind an enormous legacy in the children’s book publishing industry as the founder of one of the nation’s largest independent publishers. His taste, business sense, loyalty, and of course tenacity have touched the lives of young readers, authors, illustrators, family, and friends across the world. [Press Release]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Parsha Tzav: Tending to the Eternal Flame Within

Shabbos HaGadol isn’t just another Shabbos—it’s the Shabbos heartbeat of Pesach’s sacredness, the spark that sets our redemption in motion. It’s called “the Great Shabbos” because it holds within it the power of Shabbos and Yom Tov of Pesach, blending them into something extraordinary. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Pathetique Symphony Dedicated to the Memory of Lee Amos, the Wife of TICO’s Founding Conductor David Amos

Particularly moving were the passionate melodies in the first violins, the section Lee once led, when the orchestra was first formed, over half a century ago, in the old 54th Street JCC. She was the competent concert master of the fledgling ensemble and she also soloed with them during their early years. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hungarian Jewish Family’s Distinguished Genealogy Traced Back 300 Years

Author Linda Ambrus Broenniman knew her parents had immigrated after World War II from Hungary and she thought they were both raised Catholic. She didn’t know that her father, Julian Ambrus, was brought up Jewish, nor that her mother, Clara, risked her life to save Jews during the Holocaust. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Travel: Yale Strom Recalls First Visit to Jewish Prague. Now, He’s Scheduled to Lead an Ayelet Tour There

One of the most popular travel destinations in Europe is the Czech Republic. In its beautiful capital city, Prague, the most visited tourist attraction is the former Jewish ghetto in the old city. It was in this Jewish ghetto that Rabbi Jehudah Loew ben Bezalel (The Maharal) wrote the story “The Golem”, which inspired Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” [Yale Strom]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Holocaust Survivor Edith Eger Wins 2nd Writing Award

Holocaust survivor and author Dr. Edith Eger won her second Christopher Award for the book “The Ballerina of Auschwitz.” (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Author Tells Harrowing Story of 3-Year-Old Israeli Hostage

Liz, the great-aunt of Abigail, Michael, and Amalia, had released a book titled Saving Abigail, which recounts the harrowing and miraculous story of her family’s experience on October 7, 2023—the day of the brutal Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Albert Kreimerman, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Community to Gather April 27 for Holocaust Commemoration

In solemn remembrance of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and in honor of those who survived, Jewish Federation of San Diego, the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, and Jewish Community Foundation San Diego will host the annual Yom HaShoah: Community Holocaust Commemoration on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 1 p.m, at the Lawrence Family JCC | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS in La Jolla. [Press Release]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Press Release, San Diego County