By Edwin Black DETROIT, Michigan — Of the many local and regional Holocaust memorials and museums scattered across America, one stands out among the best: The Holocaust Memorial Center in suburban Detroit. For me, the legacy and future of the institution is personal. Correctly billed as America’s “first Holocaust museum,” the Detroit enterprise was conceived
A survey by the European Jewish Association suggests few Jews in Europe will attend synagogue for this year”s Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur holidays as security fears grow and with harassment by Muslims on the rise. According to the study, which spanned 700 Jewish communities from England to the Ukraine, 70% of European Jews said
Poll: European Jews afraid to attend holiday services Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionLA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — The Holocaust Living History Workshop has announced three upcoming presentations to be delivered at the Geisel Library on the UCSD campus. Here is a short synopsis of each: The Power of One: The Holocaust in Bulgaria – with Aaron Cohen On March 1, 1941, Bulgaria officially joined the Axis
Three programs on the Holocaust planned at UCSD Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego Calendar
Nine Essential Things I’ve Learned About Life by Harold S. Kushner; Anchor Books (c) 2015; IBSN 9780804-173452; 171 pages, $15. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Harold Kushner, famous since he wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People, has a personal ritual which I found fascinating. “Before I sit down to write,
Kushner offers mixture of theology, practical advice Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionAs evening begins in the Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta, the sun descends into the Caribbean Sea, captivating residents with its picturesque tableau. In an area noted for its sunsets, the sun is now rising on two recent Jewish congregations made up entirely of converts. They are Shirat Hayyam in Santa Marta, and Javura
With the Caribbean as their ritual bath, Colombian converts flow to Judaism Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionNEUBRANDENBURG, Germany (WJC)– The trial of a former medical orderly at the Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau resumed on Monday in Neubrandenburg, north of Berlin, with a call on the judge to recuse himself. Hubert Zafke as SS officer during World War II Hubert Zafke, 95, is accused of having been an accessory to the murder of 3,681 people between August and
Trial of Auschwitz medic stalls amid legal wrangling Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Arkady Mamaysky TARRYTOWN, New York — Jews constitute only 0.2% of world’s population of 7.4 billion people. And yet anti-Semitism and hatred of the Jews is widespread and continues for centuries despite our honest efforts and dedication to be good citizens of the countries in which we live. So why to continue to be
Some reasons for remaining Jewish Read More »
Arkady Mamaysky, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionLOS ANGELES — Charmian Carr will always be 16 going on 17 for fans of “The Sound of Music.” In the 1965 movie adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, she played the rebellious Liesl von Trapp, eldest daughter of a privileged Austrian clan of seven children living under the strictures of their militaristic father,
‘Sound of Music’ actress Charmian Carr, who played Liesl von Trapp, dies at 73 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & BroadcastA gold coin with a profile of the Roman Emperor Nero has been discovered near Mount Zion in Jerusalem. The coin dates to 56 CE, and says, “NERO CAESAR AVC IMP.” These coins are extremely rare, and are mostly found in private collections. Nero’s likeness testifies to the Roman presence in this area during that
Gold coin from Roman Caesar discovered in Jerusalem Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastItalian former President and senator Carlo Azeglio Ciampi speaks to reporters after consulting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale palace in Rome February 23, 2007. [Photo/Agencies] ROME – Former Italian president, prime minister and central bank governor Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who played a key role in guiding the country into the European single
Former Italian president, prime minister Ciampi dies Read More »
International, Obituaries & memorialsBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — “But what will they say?” Better yet ask, “What will you answer to yourself?” You shall not see the ox or the sheep of your brother wandering and disregard them. You will surely return them to your brother. If your brother is not near or you do not
Weekly Torah portion: Ki Tetzei Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — One of the most conspicuous signs of a Jewish home is the Mezuza on the doorpost. While sometimes people think that the essence of the mitzvah is affixing the decorative case on the doorpost, the important part of the Mezuza is what’s inside: a small scroll with the
Parapets around our roofs and our hearts Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — Who was the only Jewish person featured on a Canadian postage stamp? Don’t know – here’s a hint. She was an Olympic Games multi-medal winner. Still don’t know – another hint. She was named Canada’s woman athlete of the half-century. Give up – then read on. Fanny “Bobbie”
Canada’s Female Athlete of the Half-Century is Jewish Read More »
International, Jewish History, Sports & CompetitionsTel Aviv (dpa) – The world’s oldest man, who turned 113th on Thursday, plans to mark his birthday by celebrating his bar mitzvah in the Israeli city of Haifa about a century later than most people, his daughter told dpa. About 100 family members are expected to attend his belated bar mitzvah, which is expected
World’s oldest man plans to mark birthday in Israel with bar mitzvah Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East