By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Jewish and Israeli history is replete with both tragic and joyful events, and in fact the life of a Jew living in Israel is something of a roller-coaster existence, taking us from the depths of sorrow one day to the sublime heights of joy the next, whether it’s […]
An emotional roller coaster during Israel’s holidays Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — As I started out this column, my intent was to make a statement for the “ownership” of the term Holocaust. As long as I can remember, I always had a visceral reaction when this term was used by others to describe a potential disaster. To me, anything would pale in
‘Holocaust’ and ‘Shoah’ meanings and emotions Read More »
Jewish History
Deb Bowen and Cassie Brown, A Walk With Esther; Never Forget Publishing, 2015, $10. Order via http://www.abookbyme.com/Pages/default.aspx By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Many years ago, while I was serving a congregation in Rock Island, Illinois, I was privileged to work with a number of Jewish and Christian professionals in designing one of the
Children interview Survivors, write their stories Read More »
Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — As I reviewed Parashat Sh’mini, images from the Shoah (the Holocaust) flashed in my mind. Parashat Sh’mini begins with instructions about the sacrifices Israelites made in the Mishkan in the desert and later the Temple in Jerusalem: “Fire came forth from before the Lord and consumed the burnt
Why we go from mourning to celebration Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California– Lou Dunst, the renowned and beloved survivor of four Nazi death camps and two aborted gas chamber murders, remembers many things. Of his innumerable escapes from certain death, he simply asserts: “Ha-Shem [God] made another miracle.” On one occasion, there was an unfathomable malfunction in the delivery of the Zyklon
Survivor believes he was saved to ‘tell the story’ Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — I don’t often go in for listicles, but this one time I felt I would delve into the online meme, just to see where it might lead. Here, based on a lifetime of living in the midst of the Jewish mindset in the 20th and 21st centuries, are
18 reasons he’s chai on Judaism Read More »
Jewish Religion, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)– In the Jerusalem Hills, there stands the single largest memorial to the Holocaust in the world known as Martyrs’ Forest, which is comprised of six million trees planted in memory of those six million Jews who perished. A unique ceremony, the only one its kind held on Holocaust Remembrance Day
The rabbi and bishop teamed up as rescuers Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastLincoln and the Jews: A History by Jonathan D. Sarna and Benjamin Shapell, St. Martin Press, New York; ISBN 978-1-250-05935-6 ©2015, $40.00, p. 227, plus appendices and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Abraham Lincoln died on Saturday, April 15, 1865. Most Northerners and many Southerners, particularly those who understood the ramifications of having a new,
‘Lincoln and the Jews,’ scholarly and displayable Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish History, USABy Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Rabbi Baruch Rock, the newly appointed head of Judaic Studies at the San Diego Jewish Academy and the current rabbi of Congregation Orot Hacarmel, was the first featured reader at the March 31 Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices evening in the Astor Judaica Library. This was an evening devoted to the
Jewish educators recite their poetry at the Astor Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish ReligionOur thanks to Peter Kubicek, who sent this video to us, commenting it was much like the towns he remembered from his boyhood before the Holocaust.
Jewish travel video: Lipnik, Czech Republic Read More »
International, Jewish History, Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — On Rosh Chodesh (the new month) and on each of the Shalosh Regalim (pilgrimage festivals): Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, we add a special section to the morning service called “Hallel.” “Hallel” means praise. Hallel consists of several Psalms (religious poems) which reflect the celebrations which took place in
Passover message goes beyond the escape to freedom Read More »
Jewish ReligionEditor’s Note: San Diego Jewish World is fortunate to have among its contributors the authors of many books. To acquaint you with them, and their literary output, we will from time to time offer articles by the authors telling of their works. This article is by Donald H. Harrison, who is the editor of this publication.
San Diego Jewish World authors: Donald H. Harrison Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego CountyJERUSALEM (WJC)– Over 80 percent of Israelis think the Holocaust will one day fade from memory, although it still resonates and influences daily life in the Jewish state, a poll conducted by The Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors found. The poll, for which five hundred Jewish- Israeli adults were canvassed, was conducted ahead of Israel’s
Israelis fear lessons of Holocaust will be forgotten Read More »
Jewish History, Middle EastBy Erin Philips SAN DIEGO– You’ve made it through Seder-night dinners and holiday brunches, matzo for breakfast and matzo for dinner. You’re starting to crave baked goods and comfort foods and fresh, easy meals. The kids are kvetching and relatives keep dropping by. With several more days of Passover, what’s a home cook to do? The
Some recipes for those post- seder days Read More »
Jewish Religion