There is one Chanukah song by a New York rock band, the LeeVees, which somehow manages to work what unexpected words into the lyrics? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Chanukah Songs Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Comprised of the more advanced seventh- and eighth-grade musicians, the orchestra performed a medley titled “Chanukah Holiday,” weaving together the “Dreidel Song,” “Tum Balalaika”, and “O Chanukah.” [Cailin Acosta]
La Mesa Arts Academy Concert Features a Chanukah Medley Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I’m used to Soviet Jewish communists who were secret enemies of the Soviet regime. But in P. A., I met a true supporter of communism. A little earlier, I had already listened to speeches by some of my French communist colleagues at the institute where I worked. Their words reminded me of articles from the Soviet newspaper Pravda (truth). P. A. turned out to be a harsh critic of France. [Alex Gordon, Ph.D.]
Jews who Embraced Communism Often Sought to Fit in a Non-Jewish World Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Myer Prinstein (December 22, 1878 – March 10, 1925) was a Poland-born American track and field athlete who held the world record for the long jump in 1900 and won four gold medals in three Olympic Games for the long jump and triple jump. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Myer Prinstein Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Herzog commented: “The rise in Jew hatred across the world is a global emergency. The battle against antisemitism, must be everyone’s battle against antisemitism. This is an urgent call to action to prevent the next catastrophe.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 Read More »
Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I love that the Chanukah candles will be at their fullest luminosity on the darkest day of the year. It feels auspicious…like a cosmic reminder that illumination is born from darkness. [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
The Longest Night Meets the Brightest Chanukiah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
You won’t find many of these in travel books, and if you do, they’re usually wedged between the “best hummus in Jaffa” and a review of a hotel that doesn’t deserve its fourth star. What I’m offering here is a bit of a swap: famous attractions traded in for quieter, stranger, or more soulful corners of the country. Think of it as Israel off the record. [Ari Melnik]
Israeli Sightseeing: Off the Beaten Path Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food
Michael Tilson Thomas (December 21, 1944) is an American conductor, pianist, and composer. He is Artistic Director Laureate of the New World Symphony, an American orchestral academy in Miami Beach, Florida, Music Director Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, and Conductor Laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Michael Tilson Thomas Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
In that moment, I heard an ancient Jewish truth echoing forward: wisdom is not speed. Wisdom is presence. Chochmah without binah is incomplete. Intelligence is not merely how fast the mind moves, but how deeply the soul is engaged. [Michael Adam Cohen]
A Powerful 3 Days in Rancho Bernardo with Supportive Friends Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Adam Cohen, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Alain de Botton (December 20, 1969) is a Swiss-born British author and public speaker. His books discuss various contemporary subjects and themes, emphasizing philosophy’s relevance to everyday life. He published Essays in Love (1993), which went on to sell two million copies. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Alain de Botton Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
In Australia, a place many of us instinctively associate with openness and safety, violence shattered that illusion. Another attack. Another reminder that antisemitism is not a relic of history but a living, mutating force, one that resurfaces whenever fear is rewarded and lies go unchallenged. [Shahar Masori]
OpEd: Lighting Candles While the World Burns Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will discuss with U.S. President Donald Trump the danger posed by Iran’s ballistic missile and renewed nuclear programs. At the two leaders’ upcoming meeting at the end of this month, Netanyahu will suggest joint action to eliminate the threat, according to a story in The Times of Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 20, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
French citizen Ivan Beltrami saw a tree planted in his honor at Yad Vashem’s Avenue of the Righteous. He commented in wonder: “I don’t think I really deserve this.” The director of Israel’s Holocaust memorial responded: “All the Righteous say the same thing but why didn’t everyone do ‘this ordinary thing?’” [Donald H. Harrison]
‘This Ordinary Thing,’ Helping Fellow Humans, was Extraordinary During the Holocaust Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The forces of hatred and cruelty are once again being indoctrinated to a young generation, a legacy of antisemitism that seeks to finish what Hitler and the Nazis only started. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
A Modern-Day Chanukah Miracle Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA