A groundbreaking report released Wednesday – the International Day of Persons with Disabilities – from nonprofit organization Matan urges the American Jewish community to take immediate action to close the widening gap in disability inclusion across Jewish communal life. [Press Release]
Inclusion Report: Jewish Institutions Lag Behind Secular Ones Read More »
Lifestyles, Press Release, USA
Moshe teaches us that greatness doesn’t come from good intentions alone- it comes from turning compassion into concrete action. A true leader, and a true member of Klal Yisrael, is someone who shows up, who takes responsibility and asks: “What can I do to help?” Every one of us has daily opportunities to be a “do-er”- to step in, support others, and make a difference. Even small actions, when done with sincerity and courage, can have an everlasting effect. [Ilanit Zakowski]
When Memory Becomes Action Read More »
California, Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Abe Pollan(December 3, 1923 – November 24, 2009) was a real estate developer, professional sports team owner, and philanthropist in the Washington metropolitan area. He owned the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL), the Washington Mystics in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the Baltimore / Washington Bullets / Wizards in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Pollin was the longest-tenured owner of an NBA team, holding the Chicago / Baltimore / Washington franchise for 46 years. He also owned the Capital One Arena, which he financed, as well as the Capital Centre. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Abe Pollan Read More »
Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
A group of German nationals—all of whom were Gentile, mainly ladies of aristocratic background, but some of the gentlemen were, in pre-Hitlerian times, senior civil servants—met on September 10 for afternoon tea in Carmer Strasse. Being wartime, the fare was simple, the conversation defiantly anti-Hitler: “How to Stop the War?” [Paul Rose]
A Plot Against Hitler Exposed by a Nazi Physician Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“Rootless cosmopolitan” became code for “Jewish,” and dismissals swept the arts, sciences and media. The Ministry of State Security arrested Jewish industrial leaders for sabotage and, in 1953, fabricated “the Doctor’s Plot,” which accused a group of predominately Jewish doctors who treated Kremlin officials of trying to assassinate Stalin and other party leaders. [Wendy Z. Goldman]
Stalin’s Postwar Terror Targeted Soviet Jews in the Name of ‘Anti-Cosmopolitanism’ Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Ha’aretz reports that MKs Yuli Edelstein, Ofir Sofer, and Sharren Haskel are the only members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition who are sure votes against making permanent the Haredi community’s exemption from military service. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
December has arrived, and the end of 2025 is upon us. Some of my friends say that if they didn’t follow through with their Rosh Hashanah resolutions, they get a re-do on December 31st. [Cailin Acosta]
A Second Chance Coming for New Year’s Resolutions Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Rena Sofer (December 2, 1968) is an American actress, known for her appearances in daytime television, episodic guest appearances, and made-for-television movies. In 1995, Sofer received a Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal of Lois Cerullo in the soap opera General Hospital. She reprised the role of Lois in October 2023. From 2013 to 2022, she played Quinn Fuller on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rena Sofer Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
IF (Imaginary Friends) cast, from left: Steve Fitzgerald, Mary Friedel, Galadriel Bessette, Tara Romanczyk, Jo Darlene Reardon, Sean Liberan, Ali Impey, Lance Pate (Photo: Megan Goyette)
IF (Imaginary Friends) Come to Life at the Trinity Theatre Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & BroadcastOn Truth Social, Trump called upon Israel to “maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous state.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Middle East, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Once Trump rids us of the scourge of alien terrorists, will he apply the same logic to domestic terrorists? If he does, we can anticipate the following actions and rationales from him. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Rotten Apples Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Recently, scientists have had success creating lab-grown milk by inserting certain genes into a yeast or fungus. What is the current thinking about the kosher status of that product? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Laboratory-Created Milk Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In February 1940, Adolf Eichmann proposed to the Soviet leadership to transfer two million Jews, which was the majority of Polish Jewry, to the USSR. This step would have allowed most Polish Jews to be saved from destruction. The Soviet Union responded to this proposal with a refusal. [Alex Gordon]
On the Soviet Union’s Involvement in the Holocaust Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Bette Midler (December 1, 1945) is an American actress, comedian, singer, and author. Throughout her six-decade career Midler has received numerous accolades, including four Golden Globe Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Kennedy Center Honor, in addition to nominations for two Academy Awards and a British Academy Film Award. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Bette Midler Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia