The biblical portion Ekev begins in Deuteronomy 7:12, saying, “The Lord your God will protect you with the covenant and mercy that He swore to your fathers because you obey these laws and do them.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Religious Significance of Habits Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
San Diego Gives is just weeks away, and we need you to help us reach our most ambitious goal yet—supporting over 15,000 Jews right here in San Diego who are facing poverty, homelessness, and urgent crises. It’s a hard reality, but that’s precisely why Kindness Initiative exists. [Press Release]
Kindness Initiative Sets $50,000 Fundraising Goal Read More »
Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County
Clearly, this Philadelphia-raised fellow, who did his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, had been Alaskan-ized during the 30 years since he arrived in Sitka to represent the Tlingit people. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chabadnik is the Chief Judge of the Sitka Tribal Court Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
This book written for children 4 to 8 years of age portrays what happens to old people when their grasp on the present merges with their memories of the past. Without using the words, it is an introduction to “senility” and to “Alzheimer’s Disease.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Book Provides Gentle Introduction to Alzheimer’s Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“… We call on all universities and colleges with Hillels on campus to follow Harvard’s lead and cover security costs for their Hillels, especially given the threats to Jewish students across North America. No student should have to choose between their safety and fully participating in campus or religious life.” [Press Release]
Hillel, Secure Community Network Urge Universities to Pay for Jewish Security Measures Read More »
Antisemitism, Lifestyles, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Today, virtually every synagogue in the United States is fortified by the same security infrastructure I once found unthinkable: armed guards, metal detectors, and bulletproof glass. The same precautions that once shocked me in Paris are now part and parcel of Jewish life across America. [Jonathan Greenblatt]
From Warning to Reality: How America Became What Europe Feared Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The volunteers for August are a couple who feel fortunate to have found each other later in life, June Rubin and Gary Gleckman. [Mimi Pollack]
A Couple That Gives Back Together Read More »
Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food
Life in rural France has many advantages. The countryside is beautiful and pretty empty, with peaceful villages here and there, often many miles apart from one another. The few people one encounters are usually friendly, and certainly polite. The weather is generally pleasant, albeit on the cool side. So why am I longing to be back in Israel? [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Choosing Between Peaceful Rural France and Chaotic Urban Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
How thrilled I was this week to receive my sister, violinist Zina Schiff’s latest CD, Alan Hovhaness, part of NAXOS’s American Classics, and to read on page 4 of the liner notes, “This release is dedicated to my first violin teacher, my sister Eileen, who encouraged me to explore and promote American music.”[Eileen Wingard]
Yet, even in this moment of rising engagement, many in our community still feel disconnected and unsure of their place in Jewish life. This is without a doubt a moment of opportunity to extend the feeling of belonging to the more than 100,000 Jews that call San Diego home. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Local JPride Festival Attracted North of 1,000 Celebrants Read More »
Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Lifestyles, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Tisha B’Av is approaching and is observed for the first nine days of the new month of Av. During the nine days, there are several additional observances, which are meant to demonstrate sadness and internalize the sense of loss due to the destruction of the Holy Temples. [Cailin Acosta]
Tisha B’Av Approaches Saturday Evening, August 2 Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego Calendar, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
A protracted trial, or a stringent plea agreement for that matter, would have landed him in prison for years. The swarm of press stories would have inevitably damaged the name of the Jewish community, using Epstein as the emblem of a Jewish sex trafficker. [Amy Neustein, Ph.D.]
Did Epstein Think He Was Saving the Jewish Community from a Shanda? Read More »
Amy Neustein, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Among those superheroes are the ones who donate blood at the San Diego Blood Bank, which was held inside the Hyatt Hotel, two hotels down from the Convention Center. I became eligible to donate at the beginning of July, but I was waiting to schedule an appointment during Comic Con since the available “swag” is limited edition. This year’s shirt is promoting the Marvel Comics film Fantastic 4, which is in theatres this summer. [Cailin Acosta]
Doing a Mitzvah at Comic-Con Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The dedication of the 12th marker in the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project, Loch Sheldrake, was unveiled with regalement, nostalgia and historical significance July 17, 2025. North of 100 people attended. [Jerry Klinger]
Jewish History in the Catskills Memorialized Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA