2025’s chapter is ending, and 2026’s new chapter is about to start. Did anyone have a good year, or are we looking for more positive and less dramatic, healthy vibes? [Cailin Acosta]
New Year’s Wish and Events Planned for 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
I had the honor of speaking at San Diego City Council following a proclamation recognizing Chanukah earlier this month. During my remarks, I offered a message that seemed to resonate with the councilmembers: our tradition marks the moments when we Jews refuse to disappear. [Michael Rabkin]
Michael Rabkin: ‘We Jews Refuse to Disappear’ Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Simon Guggenheim (December 30, 1867 – November 2, 1941) was an American businessman, politician and philanthropist. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Simon Guggenheim Read More »
Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
That two Jewish leaders – Zelenskyy and Netanyahu – had back-to-back meetings with President Trump, selected Cabinet officials and White House aides, and with U.S. peace envoys Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner were remarkable occasions, sure to be mentioned in Jewish history books of the future. [Donald H. Harrison]
Trump Meets with Netanyahu about Gaza, West Bank, Iran and Other Trouble Spots Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I don’t get the feeling that Putin rained destruction on Ukraine because he seeks to replace outdated facilities and housing with more modern ones. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: Trump’s Trust Read More »
International, Israel, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Among the new immigrants who arrived this year are 297 families, 946 children, 1,476 single men and women, and 548 retirees. The average age of Olim over the last year is 31 years old, with the oldest being 96 years old, and the youngest being a four-month-old baby. The Olim come from all over North America, most notably New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland, Florida, and Illinois. [Press Release]
4,150 Americans Made Aliyah to Israel in 2025 Read More »
Israel, Press Release, USA
So now, the final Jewish trivia question. And this one focuses on the Jewish life of Mark D. Zimmerman himself. Among the many “Jewish” moments in Mark’s life, at least one Jewish event was a bit off-kilter. Which of the following is a true story from Zimmerman’s Jewish life? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Mark D. Zimmerman Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In his free time from love, Daniel made cabinets. The cabinets were all different types – wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, bookshelves. He was a great cabinet designer. The factory’s products were popular. But Daniel didn’t stop there. He designed and manufactured new original cabinets. He loved his work very much, and his work loved him back, as he was constantly receiving new orders and designing ingenious cabinet models for various purposes. [Alex Gordon]
Short Story: The Perfume Cabinet Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Theo Epstein (December 29, 1973) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) executive who currently serves as a senior advisor and part-owner of Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox of MLB and Liverpool F.C. of the English Premier League, among other properties. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Theo Epstein Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
What emerged was not a neatly packaged narrative about resilience, but something far more truthful. A portrait of resilience as it actually lives in the body, in grief, and in responsibility. [Michael Adam Cohen]
Blair Kaplan Venables: Resilience as Inheritance Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Trump identified one area still awaiting resolution as whether Russia or Ukraine would keep the land in the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now occupies. Another is the fate of a Ukrainian nuclear power reactor, which Russian troops captured and now occupy. [Donald H. Harrison]
Marty Mauser, the protagonist of Marty Supreme, is a plucky ping pong imp and shoe salesman, in addition to being a nimble and loquacious malarkey artist. He is also a shockingly-gawdawful, verbal bastard person to his mother, played by Fran Drescher, who left her specific, discount Phyllis Diller voice in the dustbin of screen history where it belongs, much to the contentment of my sensitive ears. [John E. Finley-Weaver]
Film Review: ‘Marty Supreme’ is Supreme Cinema Read More »
Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
In the fictional film ending, the Israelites hear of David and Batsheva’s adultery and murder of her husband, and huge crowds gather to stone Batsheva. David tells God he is entirely to blame (as if he could fool God) and tries to commit suicide to save the woman he loves. God accepts his plea, and he is forgiven. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Beware of Movies about the Bible Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Yehoram Gaon (December 28, 1939) is an Israeli singer, actor, director, comedian, producer, television and radio host, and public figure. He has also authored and edited works books on the culture of Israel. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Yehoram Gaon Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia