Yisrael Meir Lau (June 1, 1937) is a Holocaust survivor who served as the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1993 to 2003. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Yisrael Meir Lau Read More »
Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Her theorem on differential invariants in the calculus of variations, Nöther’s theorem, has been called “one of the most important mathematical theorems used in modern physics.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Emmy Nöther, mathematician Read More »
Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The film’s protagonist, Niki White, … is a former pianist suffering from hyperacusis. (John E. Finley-Weaver]
‘Tuner’ is movie you’ve got to hear Read More »
Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
When the National Education Association, the nation’s largest teachers union with more than 3 million members, is charged with discriminatory practices in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, voters should take notice. [Marsha Sutton]
Julian Beck (May 31, 1925 – September 14, 1985) was an American actor, stage director, poet, and painter. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Julian Beck Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Before the Baal Shem Tov, Judaism was often centered on texts, scholarship, and institutions. The Baal Shem Tov shifted the focus toward people. He taught that G-d could be found not only in study halls, but also in conversations, melodies, shared meals, acts of kindness, and human connection. [Betzy Lynch]
The Baal Shem Tov and modern-day visitors from Sha’ar HaNegev Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Tthe premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s new live-action series “Spider-Noir” proves that the two are inextricably linked. Dropping its entire eight-episode first season on Wednesday May 27, 2026, the series arrived as a cinematic triumph that can be watched in standard color or a gorgeous, authentic, high-contrast black-and-white film noir cut that honors the golden age of cinema. (Barrett Holman Leak)
Spider-Noir’s’ deep Jewish and San Diego roots Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Julius Axelrod (May 30, 1912 – December 29, 2004) was an American biochemist. He won a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1970 along with Bernard Katz and Ulf von Euler. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Julius Axelrod Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The U.S. Treasury Department is designing a $250 bill that will feature Donald Trump’s face to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Since I’ve grown accustomed to Trump putting his name and picture on everything, all I ask is for truth in advertising for currency and merchandise. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Truth in advertising for presidential products Read More »
Business & Finance, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
With Shavuot over, we are in a bit of a lull in “when is the next celebration or observance.” It is a nice time to just focus on Shabbat weekly and just be present in the moment. [Cailin Acosta]
During the summer lull, perhaps you can take Hebrew or Ladino courses Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
I’ve been focused on protecting First 5 San Diego’s Healthy Development Services program, which over nearly two decades has helped more than 352,000 San Diego children and families. It fills a gap too many families know well: your child needs help, but the delay may not be severe enough to qualify for school-based services or other programs. So families are told to wait. But when you’re talking about a child’s brain development, waiting is not neutral. Waiting can mean falling further behind. [Terra Lawson-Remer]
Supervisor Lawson-Remer hails vote to supplement funding for First 5 services Read More »
Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Trump’s blatant corruption and abuse of power, enabled by the Supreme Court’s elimination of guardrails on the presidency, have created unprecedented threats to our democracy and freedom. A Democratic win in 2026 is essential to restoring checks and balances, transparency, and accountability in government. [Halie Soifer]
JDCA works to restore Jewish trust in the Democratic party Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
If a Cohen is angry at the congregation — maybe because someone parked too close to his car again, or the kiddush ran out of herring — he’s not allowed to bless. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Parsha Naso Drasha: The power of a face (with a smile) Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
(I) could not contemplate any journey without having a book to read. But last week I had to endure that half-hour journey without proper reading matter, a predicament I hope never to have to repeat. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Without a book to read, author mulls eight novels she wrote Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food