Henna is seen to ward off the evil eye and increase fertility. In recent generations, more Jews with Sephardic roots are incorporating this practice into their nuptials. [Cailin Acosta]
Henna Rituals Growing in Popularity Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Substantial work remains to effectively fight antisemitism on campus. However, cutting vital federal research funding or imposing a billion-dollar penalty would instead harm students, disrupt life-saving research, threaten economic growth, and undermine one of the nation’s most respected public university systems. [Press Release]
JPAC Opposes Penalizing UCLA $1 Billion for Failing to Protect Jewish Students Read More »
California, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
This landmark legislation positions Highland Park as the first city in Illinois to enshrine this definition through an ordinance rather than a resolution. The ordinance requires the city manager to incorporate the IHRA working definition and its eleven contemporary examples when implementing employment and anti-discrimination policies. [Press Release]
Illinois City Makes IHRA Definition of Antisemitism an Ordinance Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, Jewish History, Press Release, USA
The biblical portion Ekev begins in Deuteronomy 7:12, saying, “The Lord your God will protect you with the covenant and mercy that He swore to your fathers because you obey these laws and do them.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Religious Significance of Habits Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Having experienced the fear of persecution by executioners, he became the epitome of courage and bravery. Having learned what absolute evil was, he became an absolutely good man. [Alex Gordon]
George Soros (August 12, 1930) is a Hungarian-American investor and philanthropist. As of May 2025, he has a net worth of US$7.2 billion, having donated more than $32 billion to the Open Society Foundations, of which $15 billion has already been distributed, representing 64% of his original fortune. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: George Soros Read More »
Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
San Diego Gives is just weeks away, and we need you to help us reach our most ambitious goal yet—supporting over 15,000 Jews right here in San Diego who are facing poverty, homelessness, and urgent crises. It’s a hard reality, but that’s precisely why Kindness Initiative exists. [Press Release]
Kindness Initiative Sets $50,000 Fundraising Goal Read More »
Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release, San Diego County
Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) announced on Monday, August 11, the approval of a special rehabilitation budget of NIS 750 million to restore and develop communities in northern Israel and the western Negev severely affected by the “Iron Swords” war. [Press Release]
NIS 750 Million Budget Authorized by KKL-JNF to Rebuild War-Torn Communities in Israel Read More »
Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Press Release
There are few times in my life where I have been rendered speechless, where reflecting on a profound experience I’ve had cannot do my feelings justice. My recent visit to Israel, the first time back post-October 7, was one of them. [Kayla Globerson]
My Top 5 Takeaways from Traveling Back to Israel Post-October 7 Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Back to Oct. 7, did Robertson not “want my kids telling me what were you doing when this mass murder and genocide was going on”? Did Mullins think “the world’s gone mad” when terrorists burned, raped and murdered 1,200 Israelis? [Bruce S. Ticker]
The congregation is primarily made up of Bnei Anusim, descendants of the Jews who converted 500 years earlier. But Rabbi Ventura is fighting against what group that opposes his efforts to restore the Jewish Community of Catania [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sicily Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Erwin Chargaff (August 11, 1905 – June 20, 2002) was an Austro-Hungarian-born American biochemist, writer, and professor of biochemistry at Columbia University medical school. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Erwin Chargaff Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
After becoming a doctor of medicine, Adler practiced medicine for some time, but soon fully dedicated himself to politics. As a wealthy man, he organized a medical practice for the poor (1879), soon earning the nickname “doctor of the poor.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Victor Adler, Austrian Social Democrat Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Clearly, this Philadelphia-raised fellow, who did his undergraduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania, had been Alaskan-ized during the 30 years since he arrived in Sitka to represent the Tlingit people. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chabadnik is the Chief Judge of the Sitka Tribal Court Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA