Judaism

The Matzo Chronicles: I be bookish

To accompany these stacks of books, I’ve got reading glasses, highlighters, and lately, in a charming, stylish touch, reading lamps that I plop on my head to illuminate the pages. On the rare occasion I lift my head to engage in conversation, I blind my husband from the glare of the light. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish biography: Edward Teller, nuclear physicist

On January 31, 1950, with President Truman’s permission, Teller was given carte blanche to develop the hydrogen bomb. It was detonated on one of the Marshall Islands on November 1, 1952 – the mushroom cloud rose to a height of 37 kilometers, and the diameter of the “cap” exceeded 160 kilometers. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at Beth Israel discusses listening, faith, and Jewish leadership

Just days after the attack on Temple Israel in suburban Detroit, guests arriving at Congregation Beth Israel for Talking San Diego’s conversation with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro were met with bag checks, wanding, and a visibly increased police and security presence. [Shor M. Masori]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Irish Jews remembered ahead of St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up. It is not a Jewish observance, but there are many Irish Jews in history. Rabbi Isaac Herzog was the first chief rabbi of Ireland from 1921 to 1936. He was Ashkenazi and born in Poland but moved to Ireland. When Abraham Kook, Chief Rabbi of Israel died, Herzog was elected and moved to Jerusalem. [Cailin Acosta]

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Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Appreciation for the people and institutions of the Jewish community, especially in times of stress

Last night, after a very long and stressful day, I had the honor of leading a Rosh Chodesh session at my synagogue, one of several events happening across our Jewish community last night. There were nearly 50 women there to set intentions for the month ahead, explore themes of renewal and of hope, and to express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Opinion: United Jewish community needs to call for full funding of National Security Grant Program

Clearly, we all must be as well-prepared as Temple Israel was for such an attack, which is why we encourage everyone to call on Congress to increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which provides essential security grants for synagogues and Jewish institutions. [Halie Soifer]

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Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish birthday: Yonatan Netanyahu

Yonatan Netanyahu (March 13, 1946 – July 4, 1976) was an Israeli military officer who commanded Sayeret Matkal during the Entebbe raid. The raid was launched in response to the 1976 hijacking of an international civilian passenger flight from Israel to France by Palestinian and German militants, who took control of the aircraft during a stopover in Greece and diverted it to Libya and then to Uganda, where they received support from Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. [Wikipedia]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Jewish reactions to attack on Michigan synagogue

An armed assailant rammed his truck on Thursday into Temple Israel, a large Reform congregation in the Detroit suburb of West Bloomfield.  He was subsequently killed in a firefight, according to officials. Here are some comments by recognizable Jewish individuals and organizations. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA