Travel and Food

Alaskan Synagogue Depends on Volunteers

Two Torahs saved from the Holocaust were obtained, one from the Czech Republic; the other from Hungary.  A congregant whose hobby is woodworking built the Holy Ark within which to keep them. Another congregant created a rustic chuppah.  Jewish books were donated to the congregational library.  Temple Sukkat Shalom (Shelter of Peace) is small, yet compact. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

My Top 5 Takeaways from Traveling Back to Israel Post-October 7

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]

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Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Tu B’Av, Jewish Day of Love, is Upon Us

The minor holiday of love (15th day of Av), Tu B’Av, starts Friday night and continues until Saturday night. Originally, a post-biblical day of joy, it used to be a day of matchmaking for unmarried women. Unmarried women would wear white and dance in the vineyards in search of a husband. (Cailin Acosta)

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

OpEd: Hamas Causes and Weaponizes Human Suffering

Much of the world has focused on the suffering in Gaza—suffering that is undeniably real. But we must speak the truth about its cause: Hamas has weaponized human misery. It hides military assets in schools, mosques, and hospitals. It blocks or steals humanitarian aid, often reselling it to civilians at exorbitant prices to fund their operations. [Andy Schaer]

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Travel and Food

Youth from Zoos in Jerusalem and San Diego Share Knowledge, Adventures

This gathering was a
celebration of the long-running youth exchange program program between the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem (commonly called the Jerusalem Zoo) and the San Diego Zoo. [Yiftach Levy]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Choosing Between Peaceful Rural France and Chaotic Urban Israel

Life in rural France has many advantages. The countryside is beautiful and pretty empty, with peaceful villages here and there, often many miles apart from one another. The few people one encounters are usually friendly, and certainly polite. The weather is generally pleasant, albeit on the cool side. So why am I longing to be back in Israel? [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Congregations to Offer ‘Introduction to Judaism’ Classes

I always find something new when I attend an introduction to Judaism course that maybe I have forgotten about or am learning about for the first time. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Rep. Scott Peters Calls for Immediate Delivery of Aid to Gaza

“It is long past time to end the Gaza conflict, with the return of all hostages and the end of military operations. But an active war zone is no excuse for not doing everything possible to prevent the unnecessary suffering confronting Palestinians who are caught in the crossfire between Israel and Hamas. [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Travel and Food, USA