LA JOLLA, California — It’s unclear exactly which Chabad center in San Diego County inspired this license plate, spotted by Melanie Rubin in the Lawrence Family JCC parking lot. But more than likely, the driver was grabbing a bite at Botanic Burgers for some post-Passover chametz.
Jewish-Interest License Plate: CHABAD1 Read More »
Melanie Rubin, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — French President Emmanuel Macron won reelection in a closely contested contest against Marine Le Pen. Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally Party, has been a controversial figure in French politics for many years, following in the footsteps of her father Jean-Marie Le Pen. She has alarmed
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Marine Le Pen Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
(JNS) An American Jewish Committee survey of U.S. and Israeli Jewish millennials shows that Israel-Diaspora relations remain strong but also indicates points of divergence regarding what role Diaspora Jews should have in influencing Israeli policies, antisemitism in the United States and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The first-ever parallel survey of Jews, ages 25 to 40, was
Solid Base of Support, But Points of Divergence in New Survey of Millennial Jews Read More »
Middle East, USA
By Alex Gordon, Ph.D HAIFA, Israel — Many years ago, I was in the German city of Cologne and went to a station restaurant for lunch. I was surprised when I saw “Chicken Kiev-style” on the menu. I was surprised because I was born and raised in Kiev, and I knew nothing about Chicken Kiev-style.
Confessions of a Foreign Intelligence Agent’s Son Read More »
Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Opinion
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Israel is currently in the midst of a mess. But, like others that Israelis have experienced, it is likely to be temporary. The context is made up of several major holidays, the month of Ramadan, plus Pesach, and several holidays around Easter. Those manage to heighten feelings that we
(To the tune of “Lady Madonna”) By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Stare Decisis, its time has expired. With the three judges Donald Trump hired. Who needs Roe when you are with child? Carry it to term if you’ve been defiled. Six weeks is too much time to tarry. Informers can charge you with
Satire: Stare Decision Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Lazard, a social worker employed by the County of San Diego to determine financial and residential eligibility for cradle-to-21-year-old residents with major disabilities, says he is happiest when he gets to sing, particularly Jewish prayer songs. Through his tutoring of Ruth Sax, he got to know other Jewish residents of Paradise Village, and before long he was asked to officiate at the monthly Shabbat service. He met with Paradise Village’s Chaplain, Harry Bennett, before accepting the volunteer gig. Services are held in the non-denominational chapel, which has a stained-glass window bearing a picture of a dove. [Donald H. Harrison]
Social Worker Serves as a Lay Rabbi for Elderly Residents of Paradise Village Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
My son and I got a chance to see the opening night performance. As with every other show I’ve seen at the Civic Theatre, we ran into people that I knew as soon as we walked in. This time it was Bar Mitzvah planner Lydia Krasner and her husband Ron. I am not a “Renthead,” having never seen the musical in the quarter century between the time it started touring at the La Jolla Playhouse to this final touring performance. It was fortunate that we ran into Lydia and Krasner, because Lydia is really knowledgeable about the show and was able to explain some of the plot points that we found confusing. [Sandi Masori]
New to ‘Rent,’ I Was Glad Someone Was There to Explain Read More »
Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
This tale for tots conflates the light of Shabbat candles with other pleasant and helpful lights that they might encounter. These include a flashlight helping people to find their way; lanterns at an evening picnic; a lighthouse that aids sailors; the moon and stars; fireflies; and a soft nightlight in a child’s room. [Donald H. Harrison]
Book for Toddlers Tells of the Lights of Shabbat Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — From Broken Glass: My Story of Finding Hope in Hitler’s Death Camps to Inspire a New Generation, by Steve Ross, is truly an inspiring story. Interspersed with the author’s vivid recollections of being incarcerated from the age of 8 in a succession of concentration camps are accounts of
Author’s Vivid Accounts Range From Nazi Death Camps to Boston’s Worst Neighborhoods Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Holocaust, International, USA
By Toby Klein Greenwald (JNS) Raise Your Spirits Theatre released, on the morning of April 15, on the eve of Passover, the video (for women only) and audio recording (for everyone) of our latest biblical musical, “REBECCA! Mother of Two Dynasties.” It is a story of great faith, love, courage, and the hope of reconciliation
After Persisting During Pandemic, Israeli Theater Can Now Share the Fruits of its Labor Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Toby Klein Greenwald
By Alan Zeitlin (JNS) First, Harry Haft fought to save his life. Then, he boxed to find the woman he wanted to be his wife. Born Jewish in Poland, Haft was sent to Auschwitz after the Nazi Germans invade in September 1939. There, he met an especially brutal Nazi named Dietrich Schneider—played by an impressive
Ben Foster Fights for His Life in ‘The Survivor’ Read More »
Holocaust, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Jonathan S. Tobin (JNS) When President Joe Biden used the word genocide to describe Russia’s actions in Ukraine, it raised some eyebrows. But it didn’t generate the same kind of pushback some of his other previous unscripted remarks about that conflict, such as his call for regime change in Moscow or his threats to
Calling Russia’s War in Ukraine ‘Genocide:’ Does it Matter? Read More »
Holocaust, International, Opinion
(JNS) Israel will send helmets and vests to Ukraine’s rescue and emergency services, the Office of Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced on Wednesday. During a phone call between Gantz and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, the Israeli defense minister said the protective gear will arrive following a request made to the Israeli Ministry of Defense
Israel to Send Protective Gear to Emergency Service Providers in Ukraine Read More »
International, Middle East