This Summer Solstice was 228 Years in Coming

So, why the early arrival after 228 years has passed? The short answer is our calendar. A typical year has 365 days, however that is not exactly how long the Earth takes to orbit the sun – it is more like 365.24 days. The Gregorian calendar adds a day in February every four years we call “leap day” to account for this extra quarter for the Earth’s orbit. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JFest: ‘Italian Jews Through The Generations’ Sweet, Intimate Event

Did you know that the history of the Italian Jews goes all the way back to the Maccabees? It is, in fact, one of the very oldest diaspora Jewish communities, and while there may only be 27,000 Jews left there, their history and culture is interwoven with the fabric of the country itself. [Sandi Masori]

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International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Found: Six Women of Valor at San Diego’s JFest

It was with great excitement that we packed into Garfield Theatre at Lawrence Family JCC (a performance this Sunday, June 23, will be at the Leichtag Commons in Encinitas) to be brought into the lives of six superlative women who have contributed greatly to our San Diego community. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria opened the program with a short inspiring introduction. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Judy Holliday

Courtesy of Wikipedia Judy Holliday (June 21, 1921 – June 7, 1965) was an American actress, comedian and singer. She began her career as part of a nightclub act before working in Broadway plays and musicals. Her success as Billie Dawn in the 1946 stage production of Born Yesterday led to her being cast in the 1950 film version for which

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

An Israeli-American Perspective: Different Attitudes Toward Time

I remember countless instances when passengers would arrive at the gate a solid hour before boarding, itineraries in hand and a sense of urgency and exhaustion plastered on their faces. In contrast, my Israeli passengers had a different vibe. Israelis have a more relaxed relationship with time. (Shahar Masori)

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International, Israel, Lifestyles, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

U.S.-Built Pier and Causeway to Gaza Victim to Rough Weather

In addition to weather and sea conditions problems, JLOTS has been fraught with logistical problems, security concerns, looting of the cargo coming off the pier by desperate Palestinians. Some U.S. servicemembers have also suffered accidental injuries. [Dorian de Wind, The Moderate Voice]

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Dorian de Wind, Israel, Middle East, Technology, Travel and Food, USA

TICO Performs a Fourth Fifth and a First

Before intermission, we heard Silence, a world premiere by John Michael Luther, based on a poem written by Conductor Amos’ granddaughter, Piper Gillett, when she was 13 years old. The work made a profound impression, especially remarkable that the words were written by one so young, and inspired such an interesting setting by composer Luther. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Satire: The Donalogue

Louisiana’s Republican governor has mandated the posting of the Ten Commandments in the state’s schools.  When questioned whether this violated the constitutional separation of church and state, he replied that that wall was being dismantled and transferred to the border with Mexico.  I wonder if what is posted will be the biblical version or the one Donald Trump issued when he was president.  [Laurie Baron]

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Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Settlement Won for Autistic Student Who Had Swastika Carved onto His Back

The student, who is autistic and nonverbal, did not receive the special education support he was entitled to under federal and state regulations. He was pulled from classes after his mother discovered a swastika carved into his back and realized he was not safe in his school environment. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Technion PhD in Mathematics Now Applying His Skills to Medicine

“My primary interests lie in the intersection between mathematics, computer science, statistics, and medicine,” he explained. “Roughly speaking, I am mainly interested in applying tools that are usually considered to be part of applied mathematics on problems arising from biology and medicine, with the hope of gaining insights carrying medical significance.” [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Ilan Ramon

Courtesy of Wikipedia Ilan Ramon (June 20, 1954 – February 1, 2003) was an Israeli fighter pilot and later the first Israeli astronaut. He served as a Space Shuttle payload specialist on STS-107, the fatal mission of Columbia, in which he and the six other crew members were killed when the spacecraft disintegrated during re-entry. At 48, Ramon was the oldest member of the crew. He

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Israel, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Parsha Behaalotecha: Focus on the Good Things

Moses is like, “Oy vey, can these people just be happy for five minutes?” Exasperated, Moses cries out to Hashem, “Kill me rather, I beg you, and let me see no more of my wretchedness” So, he begs Hashem to make them stop whining. But Hashem’s response is epic: “You want meat? You got it! A whole month of meat until it’s coming out your ears!” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

YIVO Exhibit, ‘Runaway Husbands, Desperate Families’ Resonates

On Monday in lower Manhattan the most fascinating exhibit opened at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. In concert with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, YIVO presented “Runaway Husbands, Desperate Families,” providing a brutally honest historical look at Jewish immigrant men who abandoned their families on Manhattan’s lower Eastside in the early part of the 20th Century. [Amy Neustein, PhD]

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Amy Neustein, Jewish History, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA