Silberman spent five decades working at the intersection of Jewish community life, youth development, sports, Israel, and camp leadership before stepping into this role. [SDJW staff roundup]
Jewish Recognitions: October 12, 2026 Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In the aftermath of World War II, a train carries children away from the poverty of southern Italy toward the possibility of a better life. For one young boy, the journey brings opportunity, but it also forces him to confront difficult questions about family, love and where he belongs. [Cailin Acosta]
‘The Children’s Train’ probes displacement in post-WWII Italy Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Do Jews believe in angels? The Hebrew word for angel, mal’ach, means “messenger,” and in biblical sources, angels deliver specific information or carry out particular functions. In the Torah, an angel prevents Abraham from slaughtering his son Isaac. An angel appears to Moses in the burning bush and gives direction to the Israelites during the desert sojourn following the liberation from Egypt. Angels are associated with visions and prophecies. [Cailin Acosta]
Do Jews believe in angels? Read More »
animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
I sometimes wonder what might have happened if Cain had simply paused at the door. What if, rather than immediately following the impulse his jealousy created, he had been able to ask himself: What am I feeling right now? What story am I telling myself about what happened? What is this feeling asking me to do? And, perhaps most importantly, is that the person I want to be? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D,]
Bereishit: The Psychology of Becoming Read More »
California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“Three years after Hamas’s October 7 massacre against Israel, we remember those who were murdered and stand with the survivors and people of Israel who will forever carry with them the indelible scars of that day…” (SDJW roundup)
Jewish community’s diverse reflections concerning Oct. 7, 2023 Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
Three years after the October 7 massacre, the final victim killed in the attack at Moshav Yakhini has been brought to rest after his family opened a bedroom that had remained locked since the morning he was murdered. (Press Release)
Elitzur Hajbi, sealed in his room since 2023, given a proper burial Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County
Then, the very next day, it became a nightmare for Jewish students right here on campus. At Hillel of San Diego, we stopped all other programming and prioritized student well-being and Israel education and connection. We mourned together. We rallied together. We experienced hate again and again – from classmates, former friends, professors, staff – and it really felt at times like we were alone. (Karen Parry)
Waves of antisemitism hit Hillel of San Diego the day after Oct. 7 Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
There are moments when history gives you no time to deliberate. You either run toward the danger—or away from it. Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber, ran toward it. (Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg)
Miracle in the air: FlyDubai flight 1073 Read More »
Antisemitism, Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“Free yourself from the concentration camp of your own mind. The key is in your pocket, and the key is courage.” — Dr. Edith Eger
Admirers, family, friends celebrate the life of Edith Eva Eger, Ph.D. Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAShemini Atzeret literally means the “eighth day of assembly,” and the rabbis describe it as a uniquely intimate day, almost as though Hashem says, “Stay with Me a little longer.”
The psychological wisdom of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Rabbi Cagen urged me to read the English translations during the service because I couldn’t follow the Hebrew. I had never thought of doing that. It changed everything. (Joe Gandelman)
The long way home: My journey back to Judaism Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joe Gandelman, Lifestyles, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
However, for Lizzie Borden, of Fall River, Massachusetts, the Fifth Commandment proved troublesome. This young woman did not honor her mother and father. Quite the opposite is true. [Eva Trieger]
‘Lizzie’ is PowPac’s version of celebrated 19th-century crime Read More »
Eva Trieger, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
I can safely say that 60 years plus 3 children plus 9 grandchildren plus 1 great-grandchild equals happiness. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson}
60 + 3 + 9 + 1 = Happiness Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The s’chach, the branches and natural materials that form the roof, must provide more shade than sunlight, but ideally should not completely close us off from the sky. Through its openings, we should be able to see the stars. {Betzy Lynch}
Peering through the openings in the sukkah’s roof Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors