Black and Jewish Civil Rights Alliance Recalled in ‘Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round’

For almost 60 years, Glen Echo Amusement Park was the wholesome, beloved playground of White metropolitan Washington, DC. Every summer, tens of thousands enjoyed its Crystal Pool, wooden rollercoaster, Spanish Ballroom, Tunnel of Love and Carousel. However, the African American children living nearby could only watch all the fun from a distance, along the nearby roadway. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Touring Jaffa and Tel Aviv with a Son from Arizona

The commanding Clock Tower, which is a stone’s throw from the light rail stop, was built in in 1900 in “Palestine” by the Ottoman Sultan, Abdul Hamid II. His purpose was to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the sultan’s reign. Six of these clock towers were built in Palestine, among the stupendous total of about 100 throughout the Ottoman Empire. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Resolving Gaza’s ‘Custody Battle’–the Capstone of Trump’s Mideast Peace Negotiations?

Within hours of the jubilant press conference to announce the US “takeover” of Gaza and the potential of turning this war ravaged region into the crown jewel of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia publicly affirmed their support for a Palestinian state as sine qua non to any normalization of relations with Israel. [Amy Neustein, Ph.D]

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Amy Neustein, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Elsa’s Chessboard’ Brings the Royal Board Game to Children’s Attention

This book serves a double purpose: it is a tribute to the author’s Austrian Jewish grandmother and an introduction for children ages 4 to 8 to the exciting world of chess. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parasha Beshalach: Finding Strength and Healing in Times of Challenge

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. EL CAJON, California — In the Torah portion Beshalach which we read this week, a profound verse highlights the relationship between divine guidance and personal well-being. The text presents two nuanced interpretations of Hashem’s role as a healer.  It contains the following verse: “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Satire: Marketable American Gaza Annexation (MAGA)

Given his priorities of avoiding foreign wars and troop deployments abroad, Donald Trump surprised the world when he announced that the United States will “take over” Gaza, relocate its Palestinian residents in Egypt and Jordan, and oversee but not pay for its reconstruction. [Laurie Baron]

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

‘Four Hours a Day’ is Not Enough Time

Four Hours a Day shown Tuesday morning, Feb. 4, at the San Diego International Film Festival is a documentary film directed by Ayelet Dekel in which she interviews mothers and daughters who lived on different kibbutzim in Israel.  The subjects commented on the kibbutz ideology of having their children raised communally in a “children’s home.” [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Tribute to a Holocaust Survivor and Education Advocate Edith Palkowitz, z”l

A Holocaust survivor from Budapest, Edith’s legacy is one of courage, resilience, and a deep commitment to preserving history. Her passing marks the end of an era for those who knew her, but her impact on the lives she touched will be felt for generations to come. [Sandy Scheller]

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Holocaust, Jewish History, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Ben Mankiewicz Reminisces About His Father Frank and TCM Cruises

A full house of film aficionados packed the JCC Garfield Theater Tuesday evening, Feb. 4, to hear Turner Classic Movies (TCM) featured speaker, Ben Mankiewicz. As he took the stage, he was met with a standing ovation. [Sandy Scheller]

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San Diego County, Sandra Scheller, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

‘Lovers in Auschwitz’ Provides Hook to Teach Readers about the Holocaust

David Wisnia from Poland was a prisoner at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex; Likewise, Helen Zipora “Zippy” Spitzer from Slovakia was also a prisoner.  But neither of them was an ordinary prisoner; by virtue of wits and luck, each of them had been elevated to favored positions in the concentration camps’ heirarchy. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors