Day 27 of the US/ Israel War with Iran … An IDF soldier was killed on the northern front, the third member of the Israeli military to have fallen in this war. … Israeli media: Negotiation positions of US and Iran are so far from each other that agreement is virtually impossible. {Press Release]
Middle East war update: March 26, 2026 Read More »
Travel and Food
“The continuous immigration of Jews choosing to come to Israel, even under rocket fire and despite the many challenges, is a powerful source of strength for the State of Israel,” said Ofir Sofer, Minister of Aliyah and Integration. [Press Release]
40 North Americans immigrate to Israel despite war with Iran Read More »
International, Israel, Press Release, Travel and Food, USA
When I get to the plagues, we go out to the backyard. I write out the plagues with bags of items for all of them. Plague 1: Water Turned to Blood; I put a glass of water and a glass of pomegranate juice. Plague 2: Frogs, I have a bag of plastic frogs that we throw into the air. Plague 3: Lice, I have bags of white rice we throw at each other. … [Cailin Acosta]
What does a vegan seder look like? Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
At its core, Passover is not about what happened once. It is about what must be recognized again and again. The command at the heart of the holiday is not simply to remember, but to remember as if you yourself had been enslaved. This is not historical education. It is a transformation of perspective. It refuses the distance that allows us to say: that was then; this is now. Instead, it insists: the structure of that experience still concerns you. [Sam Ben-Meir]
Passover and the unfinished work of freedom Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Sam Ben-Meir, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodBipolar disorder is considered a mood disorder that affects emotions, with an up and down challenge of managing situations. Many suffer from extreme highs of mania for periods of time and extreme lows of depression for periods of time. [Cailin Acosta]
Bipolar affliction affects Jewish community Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and FoodDay 20 of the US/ Israel War with Iran … Iranian missile kills a foreign worker in Israel’s center and three Palestinian women near Hebron. …Israel continues to strike both Iran and Hezbollah…{Jewish Federations of North America}
Mideast War report: March 19, 2026 Read More »
Travel and Food
I had the flu. I mean, I really had the flu. It was so severe that the doctor debated sending me to the hospital. I was dehydrated and depleted and completely not cute! Handsome Hubby pleaded against it, saying he would take care of me and he did yeoman’s work, struggling to keep fluids down me, pulling blankets on me when I was cold, taking them off when I was hot. [Karen Galatz, the Matzo Chronicles]
In sickness and in health: What really separates us in an interfaith marriage Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The Torah teaches that although the Divine voice was powerful, it was Moses who truly received it. This is not because he had special ears, but because he cultivated inner humility and spiritual awareness. He made space within himself to listen. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Vayikra: God’s invitation to draw close Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodSt. Patrick’s Day is coming up. It is not a Jewish observance, but there are many Irish Jews in history. Rabbi Isaac Herzog was the first chief rabbi of Ireland from 1921 to 1936. He was Ashkenazi and born in Poland but moved to Ireland. When Abraham Kook, Chief Rabbi of Israel died, Herzog was elected and moved to Jerusalem. [Cailin Acosta]
Irish Jews remembered ahead of St. Patrick’s Day Read More »
Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Complied by Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California Thursday in Michigan there was another attack on a synagogue in the United States. Here in San Diego, synagogues around the county are updating their congregants on the increased security measures and encouraging them not to be afraid to attend Shabbat services this weekend. Below are some
Last night, after a very long and stressful day, I had the honor of leading a Rosh Chodesh session at my synagogue, one of several events happening across our Jewish community last night. There were nearly 50 women there to set intentions for the month ahead, explore themes of renewal and of hope, and to express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Recently, with the generous help of the Travancore Royal Family of Travancore, India, and the State of Travancore, a new Jewish Indian Heritage Trail marker was dedicated in a grand ceremony at the Puthenmalika Palace. [Jerry Klinger]
Celebrating the Jewish history of Travancore, India Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jerry Klinger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
SPR SHLP, we believe, refers to someone who is constantly on the move, ferrying kids to their myriad appointments, carrying bulky bargains home from Costco; and shlepping quantities of fast food to substitute for the family dinner the owner of this license plate didn’t have time to prepare. [SDJW staff]
Effective Thursday, February 26, the Kansas state government passed a law that invalidated the drivers licenses of transgender people in the state overnight and ordered them to surrender their IDs. This law is harmful and unconstitutional; the ACLU filed a lawsuit in Kansas state court, working to overturn it, or at least buy time for transgender residents. [Press Release}
Transgender people ordered to surrender their Kansas drivers’ licenses Read More »
Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA