“The key factor that makes programs like The Catalyst successful is the cohort-based model,” says Wendy McCreary, Community Program Manager at the Jewish Federation of San Diego. “It allows colleagues from across the country to share best practices, learn together, and support each other.” [Press Release]
How Catalyst Fellows Are Transforming Jewish Service Read More »
International, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
The government is in thrall to uncaring politicians whose main concern seems to be to channel funds to their supporters and pursue a policy that involves imposing their ideas of territorial expansion on us all, no matter what the cost. In essence, this comes at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of the general populace, soldiers and civilians alike, both in Israel and in Gaza. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Living as a Split Personality Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Opening the concert was Starburst, a short, glistening work by Jessie Montgomery, the festival’s composer-in-residence. Next on the program was the Concerto for Violin and Piano, a rarely programmed composition by 14-year-old Felix Mendelssohn, and concluding the evening was Brahms’ glorious Serenade in D major for Orchestra in its original nonet version. [Eileen Wingard]
Final Summerfest 2025 Concert Featured Works by Montgomery, Mendelssohn and Brahms Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Man Ray (August 27, 1890 – November 18, 1976) was an American visual artist who spent most of his career in Paris. He was a significant contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements, although his ties to each were informal. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Man Ray Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has filed a 26-page complaint with Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell alleging that the 117,000-member Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) has created and fostered a hostile and discriminatory environment toward Jewish members in violation of their civil rights. [Press Release]
ZOA: Massachusetts Teachers Association Discriminates Against Jews Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Mamdani attended Shabbat services in Park Slope in Brooklyn last February, visited the offices of the UJA Federation for a town hall co-hosted with the Jewish Community Relations Council last May, and participated in two candidate forums at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in Manhattan the following month. [Bruce S. Ticker]
“Once people commit to the Promise, they are inspired to participate, discuss with their families, and make specific plans. Legacy gifts prompt conversations about passing on values, heritage, and culture to future generations….” [Press Release]
The report gathers insights from experts on the ground about the situation in eight countries in the European Union—Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden—as well as the United Kingdom. [Press Release]
Jewish University Students in Europe Face Harassment and Worse Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education
Shlomo Bentin (August 26, 1946 – July 13, 2012) was an Israeli neuropsychologist and recipient of the 2012 Israel Prize in psychology. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Shlomo Bentin Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Set in Tel Aviv between 1938 and the mid-1940s, the story follows the tragic romance between Shoshana Borochov (Irina Starshenbaum) — daughter of one of the founders of socialist Zionism — and British police officer Tom Wilkin (Douglas Booth). [Cailin Acosta]
‘Shoshana’ is a Love Story Set in Pre-Independence Israel Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The fifth weekly biblical portion in Deuteronomy is Shoftim, “Judges.” The rabbis who were descendants of the ancient Pharisees saw this portion supporting the views of the Pharisees and not those of the Sadducees. The ancient Sadducees ceased to exist after the second temple was destroyed in 70 CE, and were later followed by Karaites. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The History of Rabbinical Laws Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Wow! We really started off our new San Diego Center for Jewish Culture season with a Blockbuster! Jeffrey Seller, Producer of the most iconic Broadway show, the legendary Hamilton, and Producer of other groundbreaking shows such as Rent, Avenue Q, and In the Heights, really swept our audience off their feet! Winner of 22 Tony Awards, Producer of two Pulitzer Prize winning shows and drawing audiences exceeding 43 million around the globe, Jeffrey shared his personal stories with laughter, candor and humility in a one-on-one conversation with the talented and insightful Barry Edelstein, artistic Director of the Old Globe. [Liz Nederlander Coden]
LFJCC Board Chair Highlights Past and Future Programs Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
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