Ran Danker (January 7, 1984) is an Israeli–American actor, singer and model. He starred in hit Israeli series such as HaShir Shelanu (2004–2007), The Gordin Cell (2012–2015), Miguel (2018) and more. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Ran Danker Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office has released the top 10 baby names for 2025, based on birth records filed throughout San Diego County. The list reflects both enduring favorites and the county’s rich cultural diversity, highlighting the names parents most often chose for their newborns last year. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Emma’ and ‘Noah’ most popular names for newborns in San Diego County Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
US President Donald Trump covets Greenland for the sake of U.S. national security and for control of Greenland’s natural resources. Stephen Miller, deputy white House chief of staff, told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Monday that “Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland … It wouldn’t be military action against Greenland. Greenland has a population of 30,000 people, Jake. The real question is, by what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland?” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews in the News: Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Iron Beam offers low-cost laser interception of drones, rockets, and missiles, while reducing reliance on costly interceptors. Whereas the Iron Dome defense cost is about $50,000 per successful interception, the Iron Beam cost per interception is negligible. (Nevertheless, the Iron Dome will remain an important weapon in Israel’s arsenal.) [Steve Kramer]
Israel adds inexpensive ‘Iron Beam’ to its defense array Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
Exodus 13:17-18 states: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Interesting interpretations of early Bible stories Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Talia’s cousin recites the Four Questions in Hebrew and English. But Talia has her own Four Questions: Who gets hugs? When do we hug? Where do we hug? And most of all—why is this book called the Hug-gadah? [Cailin Acosta]
Children’s book review: Talia waits through the seder for a hug Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Ruth Gikow (January 6, 1915 – April 2, 1982) was an American visual artist known primarily for her work as a genre painter. Her paintings often depict human figures interacting with an urban environment. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Ruth Gikow Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores pleaded innocent in the New York federal court of Judge Alvin Hellerstein to charges of drug and arms trafficking. Attorney Barry Pollack represented Maduro at the arraignment. The next court date was set for March 17. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political briefing: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Imagine opening a book that doesn’t just sit on your shelf gathering dust—it walks with you through the chaos of everyday life, whispering (and sometimes shouting) that holiness isn’t reserved for mountaintops or monasteries. It’s right here, in the messy, miraculous grind of being human. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Rabbi Heschel as interpreted by an ex-con turned rabbi Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I sat down with British actress, podcaster, and philanthropist Eve Richards in Beverly Hills where she moved through the world like a conductor guiding a symphony. Every gesture, every word, every project is deliberate, intentional, and charged with meaning. [Michael Adam Cohen]
Eve Richards: Living with intention Read More »
Michael Adam Cohen, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The word “demonization” has earned a place in political science dictionaries. Unfavorable politicians and country leaders are demonized. The troubles and failures that have befallen countries are attributed to one person, the head of state or the head of government. [Alex Gordon]
Politics in Israel have devolved into ‘Netanyahu, for or against him?’ Read More »
Alex Gordon, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Erika Morini (January 5, 1904 – October 31 or November 1, 1995) was an Austrian and American violinist.
Morini was born in Vienna, and received her first instruction from her father, Oscar Morini (originally spelled Oser or Ojser, family name Moritz), who was the director of his own music school in Vienna, and from Rosa Hochmann. She completed her studies at the Vienna Conservatory under Otakar Ševčík, who was also the teacher of Jan Kubelik. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Erika Morini Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The Times of Israel translated Rodríguez’s quotes this way: “The governments of the world are simply shocked that it is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela which is the victim and subject of an attack of this nature, which has, without a doubt, a Zionist tint.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish political briefing: Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I wrote following the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, our kids are watching, and current events transpire more quickly than we can sufficiently explain them to our children. In this case, having seen images of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela on television, my tween boys concluded it’s like “Conquer the World,” which is a game on Roblox. [Halie Soifer]
What’s going on? Our children want to know! Read More »
International, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA