The phrase “Can a leopard change its spots?” (Jeremiah 13:23) best captures the global skepticism surrounding Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s interim president since Bashar al-Assad’s ouster in December 2024. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Alawites and Christians Targets of Mass Killings in Syria Read More »
International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Inside was an ethical will written by Staff Sgt. Shachar Fridmann, who was killed in Gaza in action defending the state of Israel. He was only 21 years old. In his own words, “Be Good People. Smile. Strive to make every person you meet smile too. ..”
An Ethical Will from a Fallen IDF Soldier Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Hillel of San Diego is incredibly proud and deeply grateful for the unwavering support and unity demonstrated by the San Diego State University community in response to the recent antisemitic incident at the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity house. [Karen Parry]
SDSU, Hillel Responded Forcefully to Vandalism Targeting Jewish Fraternity Read More »
Antisemitism, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
All the Jewish fundraisers knew they could count on a sizable donation by stopping by the second floor of the mustard-colored apartment building at 4501 Ohio St. in the North Park district of San Diego. This had been the residence of Rabbi Henry and Esther Soille (pronounced Swall) since the early 1960’s. [Avraham Dimenstein]
Researcher Assembles Biographies of the Late Rabbi Henry & Rebbetzin Esther Soille Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Voting in the U.S. for the body known as the “parliament of the Jewish people” has opened Monday (March 10) and continues through May 4. [Press Release]
World Zionist Congress Balloting Starts Today Read More »
Israel, Press Release, USA
Israel is the smallest country in the world with a space agency. The agency’s goals include building satellite systems for research, developing technologies for space research, and promoting international cooperation in space research and exploration. Among the space programs operating under the ISA auspices is what program which goes by a “Jewish-style” acronym? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Space Exploration Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food
The event will kick off at 5 PM with opening remarks by Consul General of Austria Michael Postl followed by a Shabbat family style
dinner. Once dinner is completed, screenings of Ripple Effect, Wild City, and San Diego: America’s Wildest City will be shown followed by Q&A discussions with the attending filmmakers. [Press Release]
March 21 Shabbat Dinner Incorporated into Blue Water Film Festival Read More »
International, Israel, Press Release, San Diego County, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The only philosopher in Soviet Russia who spoke in defense of quantum mechanics and the theory of relativity and proved that the new theories do not contradict Marx’s philosophy, was Semyon Semkovsky, Doctor of Philosophy, Academician of the All-Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Semyon Semkovsky, Ukrainian Philosopher Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Mitch Gaylord (March 10, 1961) is an American gymnast, actor, and 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Mitch Gaylord Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Rachael, returning to her barracks from work sorting possessions of murdered new arrivals at Auschwitz, found in the mud a diamond and sapphire engagement ring. Knowing that the ring would be useless to her, even dangerous if it should be discovered, she nevertheless slipped it into her pocket as a small act of defiance.
[Donald H. Harrison]
A Gem of a Holocaust Novel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Bobby Fischer (March 9, 1943 – January 17, 2008) was an American chess grandmaster and the eleventh World Chess Champion. A chess prodigy, he won his first of a record eight US Championships at the age of 14. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Bobby Fischer Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Before launching a trade war with Canada, Donald Trump drafted a speech justifying it. After my spies in the Oval Office were fired by DOGE, they leaked his statement to me. (Laurie Baron)
Satire: Our Enemy Canada Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
In 3 Summers of Lincoln, The La Jolla Playhouse is exploring a side of Lincoln (Ivan Hernandez) not usually talked about: his initial hesitancy to end slavery because of the political opposition to the idea, and his progression from a rule-abiding lawyer to a passionate proponent of freedom, consequences be damned. Much of this change comes through his friendship with Frederick Douglass (Quentin Earl Darrington) though they only met in person a handful of times. [Sandi Masori]
Camryn Manheim (March 8, 1961) is an American actress who first came to attention with her off-Broadway one-woman show, “Wake Up, I’m Fat”, in 1994. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Camryn Manheim Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia