Sometime after his bar mitzvah, Jason felt isolated from his Jewish classmates because they questioned whether someone could be Black and Jewish. [Donald H. Harrison]
Life Journey of a Jewish African-American Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Jewish Mom hack: If you do not celebrate “Halloween,” think of Purim. Costumes at certain places and online go on sale and can be used in the late Winter/Spring of Purim. In 2026 (can you believe we are even mentioning 2026?), Purim lands on Monday, March 2. [Cailin Acosta]
Halloween Costumes Also Serve Well During Purim Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
One of the most moving stories we heard at our Global Conference for Israel was from the Shem Tov family. Omer Shem Tov, who had been held hostage by Hamas for 505 days, explained the harrowing conditions and sadistic methodologies used by the terrorist group. Yet, he also shared how being there with the other hostages, all of whom came from different backgrounds—religious, secular, right-wing, left-wing, and everything in between—made him realize a profound truth: they were 95% the same. Their shared love for Israel and their courage in the face of adversity brought them together in ways they never imagined possible. [Russell F. Robinson]
3,000 Attend JNF-USA Global Conference Read More »
Israel, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Already, our Jewish institutions are seeing increased need. And while national political decisions may be out of our hands, we can control how we show up for one another. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Jewish Resources Available to Weather Government Shutdown Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
He does not support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. He’s repeatedly accused Israel of “genocide,” and failed to unequivocally condemn Hamas for its horrific campaign of terror on October 7. He has threatened to arrest the Israeli Prime Minister should he visit New York, and he supports the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement… (Halie Soifer]
Jews Especially are Weighing Mamdani’s Rhetoric Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
We come before you in not just grief but fear of what tomorrow may bring. Empty cabinets, growls of hunger, howls of children, undernourishment of families, the indignity and degradation of millions of Americans who’ve had the bread snatched out of their bellies in the midst of a nation of unmatched plenty. [Rabbi Mike Rothbaum]
A Prayer for Those Who Suddenly are in Danger of Starving Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Approximately two years ago I was contacted by the Institute for the History of the German Jews, based in Hamburg which, together with the Association for Culture and Media, was embarking on a project to commemorate the Jewish families which had once lived in Hamburg. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Hamburg Group Publishes Book About Jewish Lives Before Nazis Took Over Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
His family hid his Jewish roots from him until he turned 11. In 1931, when antisemitism was rampant in Hungary and Jewish lives were threatened, Krasznahorkai’s grandfather changed their family name from the Jewish-sounding name Korin to the now Hungarian-sounding one. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Nobel Prize Winning Author László Krasznahorkai Learned of Jewish Father at Age 11 Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined Contributors
The call Lech Lecha is not a historic echo, it’s a living command. Are we willing to leave behind the familiar landscapes of complacency, fear, or mediocrity to grow into the greatness we are meant to fulfill? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Lech Lecha: Moving Beyond Our Comfort Zones Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
What are visiting world leaders asked to do when they pay a visit to Beit HaNassi? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Presidential Residences Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
As the beloved author of Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and The Little Liar, Mitch has a unique way of weaving together stories about life, love, and loss. [Sandra Scheller]
Albom Speaks of 2nd Chances at Pt. Loma Nazarene University Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The eight-day program they launched in 2022 with her encouragement involved college students sharing true Holocaust stories with pupils in middle school and high school. Culminating the program for each cohort is transportation and a tour of the Holocaust Museum. [Cailin Acosta]
Actress Julianna Margulies Stars at JFS Inaugural Joan Jacobs Signature Brunch Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Lamplighters Community Theatre treats audiences to a very thought provoking, tense play about an historic visit between Danish physicist Neils Bohr (Steve Murdock) and his young friend and mentee, Werner Heisenberg (Jim Miller). The play explores not only the relationship between the two men, but the interplay of science, politics, history and ethics. [Eva Trieger]
Lamplighters Play Examines Science and Morality Read More »
Eva Trieger, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
It is also important to learn where teen-agers this young get these ideas about Jews and decide to punish the Jewish children for Israel’s perceived policies. [Bruce S. Ticker]
How Would Candidates Respond to Teens Attacking Jewish Children? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA