A message from the Jewish Democratic Council of America: A vital security program – one that Jewish nonprofits, synagogues, and community centers rely on to protect our institutions from antisemitic threats – has been warped by the Trump administration into a tool to further politicize Jewish safety. [Press Release]
National and International Jewish News Roundup Read More »
International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum complex, comprising 21 museums and the National Zoo, mostly located in Washington, DC, but also including the Hirshhorn Museum in New York City and the Air and Space Museum Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia among others. What other United States museum is currently being considered for inclusion under the Smithsonian umbrella? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Smithsonian Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Gene Simmons (August 25, 1949) also known by his stage persona “The Demon”, is an Israeli-born American musician. He was the bassist and co-lead singer of the hard rock band Kiss, which he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss in 1973. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Gene Simmons Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
In 2012, Rotterdam’s Kunsthal Museum was under renovation when three thieves—siblings Piet and Luuk Berkhof and their friend Ineke—pulled off a daring heist. They escaped with four masterpieces: two Monets, a Picasso, and Woman with Eyes Closed by “Hochberg.” [Cailin Acosta]
Mystery Novel Tells of Art Heist’s Aftermath Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Otto Bauer was an Austrian politician, revolutionary, and publicist, a theorist of Austrian Marxism, and the general secretary of the Social Democratic Party of Austria. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Otto Bauer, Austrian Foreign Minister Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
A plaintive clarinet solo, soon echoed by the viola, began the first movement of Krzysztof Eugeniusz Penderecki’s haunting Quartet for Clarinet and String Trio, the opening work on Summerfest’s August 20 concert at the Conrad. [Eileen Wingard]
Quartet and Quintet Performances Shine at SummerFest Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Torah uses the word “love” when it speaks about God and humans. Love has a larger meaning in the Torah than in the English language. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What Does Love Mean in the Torah? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
For those who grew up in the Sephardic tradition, this board book intended for children aged 4 and under may be a simple primer about Rosh Hashanah. But for those Jews who grew up in the Ashkenazic culture, it is an introduction to the way Sephardic Jews celebrate a familiar holiday. [Donald H. Harrison]
Ladino Words, Customs Highlighted in Board Book for Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Nancy Spero (August 24, 1926 – October 18, 2009) was an American visual artist known for her political and feminist paintings and hand-pulled prints. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Nancy Spero Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Because there is so little downtime, there are almost no true breaks. Instead, what we experience is a shift in energy as we move through the year. This week was one of those shifts. Camp Jaycee marked the close of its 80th summer. The echo of hundreds of children singing camp songs, racing down hallways, splashing in the pool has begun to fade. Camp supplies are sorted and packed away for the future. A fresh coat of paint brightens the walls of the Gotthelf Art Gallery, now hung with new artwork. [Betzy Lynch]
LFJCC Open 4,800 Hours A Year for its Activities and Nearly 1,200 More for Its Partners’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Sometimes the universe has to shake you to your core before you notice the cracks you’ve been ignoring. For me, that moment came this week, not in a war zone or a protest, but in the sterile white of an emergency room, in the form of a kidney failure scare. [Shahar Masori]
OpEd: A Reminder of Life’s Fragility Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors
If he were refereeing the match between David and Goliath, he’d side with Goliath. After all, extrapolating Trump’s reasoning means David instigated the losing fight because he picked on someone bigger with a paltry slingshot. [Laurie Baron]
OpEd: The Dishonest Broker Read More »
International, Israel, Lawrence Baron, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The famed Sesame Street character Grover relates his bedtime routine in this board book intended for children aged 4 and under. [Donald H. Harrison]
Grover of ‘Sesame Street’ Fame Practices Judaism in This Board Book Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Every day, when my father left for the factory in the morning, he and my mother were unsure he would return home. Any connection to Judaism could lead to arrest and prison. Circumcision, in particular. But for my grandfathers, a boy not circumcised was as though not yet born as a Jew. [Yakov Nayerman]