Steven Spielberg (December 18, 1946) is an American filmmaker. A major figure of the New Hollywood era and pioneer of the modern blockbuster, Spielberg is widely regarded as one of the greatest film directors of all time and is the most commercially successful director in film history. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Steven Spielberg Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
President Joe Biden, at a White House pre-Chanukah party, said, “Next week you’ll light the eight candles on your menorahs. My final Chanukah message to you is this: As president, this is to hold onto that hope. Shine your light. Shine the light of optimism. And above all, keep the faith.” [SDJW staff]
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff Vows to Keep Fighting Antisemitism Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
Former Major League Baseball All-Star Brad Ausmus made more than a few folks a tad verklempt while sharing an especially profound experience at a nearly-packed Anti-Defamation League-sponsored panel discussion Monday night about Jews in baseball. [David Ogul]
Finding Inspiration through Baseball Read More »
Antisemitism, David Ogul, Israel, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The Torah generally reveals little or no information about women. We are told that Jacob had a daughter named Dinah, but there is no more about her than what is mentioned in the drama. It does not tell us that Jacob had other daughters. It only reveals this in Genesis 37:35, where it states, “All his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him (Jacob),” and 46:15, where it states Leah, Jacob’s wife, bore thirty-three children with Jacob among “his sons and daughters.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Comparing Dinah and Joseph Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
How cute. We find Baby Jesus in a new environment: swaddled by a black-and-white keffiyeh, emblem of the Palestinian struggle. Not to rest in a manger but to lie amid a pile of rocks that symbolize the rocks left over from bombed-out buildings in Gaza. Thus, the label “Christ in the Rubble.” [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Manger Display Unacceptably Portrays War in Gaza as a Religious One Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Eugene Levy (December 17, 1946) is a Canadian actor and comedian. Known for portraying flustered and unconventional figures, Levy has won multiple accolades throughout his career including four Primetime Emmy Awards, a Grammy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. [Wikipedia]
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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaU.S. President-Elect Donald Trump told a news conference Monday he had “a really good conversation” with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I think we’re going to be in a good place in the Middle East,” he said. “I think the Middle East will be in a good place. I think actually more difficult is going to be the Russia-Ukraine situation.” [SDJW Staff Report]
Author Topperman grew up in Canada, to which her parents had immigrated, after trying out Sweden. She is the product of a mixed Polish family; her mother’s side is Jewish; her father’s side is Catholic. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Polish-Canadian Returns to Her Parents’ Poland Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Climate change is bleaching and killing off vast amounts of the world’s coral due to rising sea temperatures. Dr. Benyamin Rosental of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and his colleagues have proposed an out of the box potential solution – transplanting stem cells from resilient individuals to revive them. [Press Release]
Transplanting Stem Cells in Sea Anemones Urged to Revive Coral Reefs Read More »
Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share
Which of the following gifts, designed to be hung on the wall, are offered for sale at Overstock.com in their Hanukkah shopping section? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Hanukkah Shopping Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Claudia Cohen (December 16, 1950 – June 15, 2007) was an American gossip columnist, socialite, and television reporter. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Claudia Cohen Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
It was not easy to carry their own burdens, to be themselves. At the time of emancipation, some Jews put on other people’s togas and carried other people’s burdens of “purifying normality.” The temptation to fit in with the majority and join what was considered a civilized way of life was great. [Alex Gordon]
Jews Have Pondered for Eons Whether to Assimilate or Maintain Distinct Jewish Identity Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAIsrael’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that the government has appropriated millions of dollars to double the Jewish population of the Golan Heights, which was seized from Syria in the Six-Day War and which Israel subsequently annexed. [SDJW Staff]
Israel Weighs Beefing Up Defenses, Population in Golan Heights Read More »
California, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA
It was a festive occasion, but unfortunately, I did not find any decorations or events that had a Chanukah theme, so I focused on the Winter excitement. I will be mentioning this to the La Mesa Village Association that our holiday was not represented. Many Jewish residents live in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]
La Mesa’s Annual Holiday in the Village Seems to Ignore Chanukah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food