News Sources

Israeli Sightseeing: Off the Beaten Path

You won’t find many of these in travel books, and if you do, they’re usually wedged between the “best hummus in Jaffa” and a review of a hotel that doesn’t deserve its fourth star. What I’m offering here is a bit of a swap: famous attractions traded in for quieter, stranger, or more soulful corners of the country. Think of it as Israel off the record. [Ari Melnik]

Israeli Sightseeing: Off the Beaten Path Read More »

Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Michael Tilson Thomas

Michael Tilson Thomas (December 21, 1944) is an American conductor, pianist, and composer. He is Artistic Director Laureate of the New World Symphony, an American orchestral academy in Miami Beach, Florida, Music Director Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, and Conductor Laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra. [Wikipedia]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Michael Tilson Thomas Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

A Powerful 3 Days in Rancho Bernardo with Supportive Friends

In that moment, I heard an ancient Jewish truth echoing forward: wisdom is not speed. Wisdom is presence. Chochmah without binah is incomplete. Intelligence is not merely how fast the mind moves, but how deeply the soul is engaged. [Michael Adam Cohen]

A Powerful 3 Days in Rancho Bernardo with Supportive Friends Read More »

Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Lighting Candles While the World Burns

In Australia, a place many of us instinctively associate with openness and safety, violence shattered that illusion. Another attack. Another reminder that antisemitism is not a relic of history but a living, mutating force, one that resurfaces whenever fear is rewarded and lies go unchallenged. [Shahar Masori]

OpEd: Lighting Candles While the World Burns Read More »

International, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 20, 2025

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss with U.S. President Donald Trump the danger posed by Iran’s ballistic missile and renewed nuclear programs. At the two leaders’ upcoming meeting at the end of this month, Netanyahu will suggest joint action to eliminate the threat, according to a story in The Times of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 20, 2025 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘This Ordinary Thing,’ Helping Fellow Humans, was Extraordinary During the Holocaust

French citizen Ivan Beltrami saw a tree planted in his honor at Yad Vashem’s Avenue of the Righteous.  He commented in wonder: “I don’t think I really deserve this.”  The director of Israel’s Holocaust memorial responded: “All the Righteous say the same thing but why didn’t everyone do ‘this ordinary thing?’” [Donald H. Harrison]

‘This Ordinary Thing,’ Helping Fellow Humans, was Extraordinary During the Holocaust Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: The Light We Build Ourselves

[O]ver half of American Jews report feeling worried about their personal safety. Perhaps most chilling: 14 percent have developed plans to flee the country if antisemitism continues to worsen. The incidents pile up. The data paints the picture. The isolation intensifies. And unfortunately, Jewish history means this moment feels both urgent and familiar. [Jonathan Greenblatt]

OpEd: The Light We Build Ourselves Read More »

Antisemitism, International, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Political Briefing:  Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Australia’s Prime Minister attended a ceremony in Sydney’s Great Synagogue memorializing the 15 people slain in the attack on the first night of Chanukah.  All 15 have now been identified as Matilda, 10, and adults Edith Brutman, Dan Elkayam, Boris Gutman, Sofia Gurman, Alex Kleytman, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Peter Meagher, Reuven Morrison, Marika Pogany, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Adam Smyth, Tania Tretiak, Boris Tetleroyd, and Tibor Weitzen. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish Political Briefing:  Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Prayers and Cheerful Greetings Should Not Be Confined to This Time of Year

I was surprised the other day when I was attending a doctor’s appointment with a friend and told the checkout staff ‘happy holidays’ as we left. They stared at me and said, “Thank you, you were the first patient to say that to us all day.” I looked at my watch, and it was after 4 p.m. [Cailin Acosta]

Prayers and Cheerful Greetings Should Not Be Confined to This Time of Year Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Parsha Mikeitz: Light Needs Someone to Ignite It

Chanukah commemorates two intertwined events: the military victory of the Maccabees in 165 B.C.E. and the miracle of the cruse of oil that burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple. The Sages emphasized the miracle of the oil over the battlefield triumph, teaching that the essence of the holiday is pirsuma d’nisa, publicizing the miracle. Candle lighting and Hallel are therefore central mitzvot, announcing that Hashem is present in history and that His light endures. {Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Parsha Mikeitz: Light Needs Someone to Ignite It Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors