Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – US President Joe Biden on Tuesday nominated former treasury secretary Jack Lew as ambassador to Israel, tapping a veteran political player with close ties to the Jewish state at a turbulent time between the allies. Lew, an Orthodox Jew who observes the weekly sabbath, will play a key role […]
Biden Taps Political Veteran Lew as Israel Envoy Read More »
USA
By Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego A New York-based organization that seeks to fight antisemitism while promoting “joyous Judaism” has unveiled three colorful billboards along San Diego roadways. The billboards by nonprofit JewBelong feature both lighthearted and poignant messages designed to provoke thought in San Diego, which has a Jewish population of approximately 100,000.
National Fight Against Antisemitism Brings 3 Colorful Billboards to San Diego Read More »
Chris Jennewein, San Diego County, USA
By Elie Klein With Rosh Hashanah on the horizon, I am filled with excitement for the pomp and piety of the Jewish New Year. From rapturous prayer services to magnificent meals replete with ceremony and symbolism, I adore every element of this elevated and holy day. Though there is a vast collection of classic symbols
On Pomegranates and Human Potential Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This year, we read Torah portions Nitzavim and Vayeilech, on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashana. It asks us where we stand as we enter the new year. The parasha teaches that G-d tells us, “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. You
Parshiyot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Choosing Life Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
There are many enjoyable extrapolations, known as midrashes, on the Biblical story of Noah. Here comes another one, this time to familiarize children between the ages of 4 and 8 with mathematical concepts while delighting them with stories of animals at work and play on the famous Ark. [Donald H. Harrison]
Naamah, the Numbers Whiz on Noah’s Ark Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction
By Jerry Klinger A cemetery stone on a street is a strange site, even in London. It is even stranger considering that there is no body buried beneath. The black and gold stone of honored memory is for a Jewish secret agent, a member of the British Special Operations Executive, SOE, Captain Lionel Lee. Lee
Captain Lionel Lee: Extraordinary Courage and Dedication Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Hurricane Idalia left widespread damage in Florida and the southeastern coast of the United States in its wake. Once it formed, the news coverage fixated on it to the exclusion of other stories. Although this has happened in the past, this time it came as a welcome relief. Forecasters warned
Satire: Hurricane Headlines Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Mark D. Zimmerman Bagels are one of the quintessential Jewish foods. There are references to bagels in Kraków, Poland in the early 1600’s, though they may have first appeared in Germany prior to that. Polish immigrants brought bagels to the United States around the turn of the 20th century. The bagel became so popular
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Bagels Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
“The way of my rabbinate and my personal life is living a life of balance,” Kornberg continued. “What I have been able to do and what I try to do is bring [the religious and secular] worlds together with a sense of balance; you don’t have to live in one or the other. You can have a rich religious Jewish life and still live in the secular ‘real world’ so to speak…” [Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi David Kornberg of Congregation Beth Am: ‘Balance Is My Mantra’ Read More »
Ben Dishman, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
By Jonathan S. Tobin (JNS) You would think that everyone understands that you can’t defend the Jews while supporting something set up to help promote antisemitism. Yet apparently, that basic truth is being ignored by those who ought to know better. The Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) has put itself in just such
California’s Ethnic Studies Mandate Cannot Be Fixed Read More »
California, Israel, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Parshat Ki Tavo 5783 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — Among the many different Mitzvot and insights in Parshat Ki Tavo, right at the beginning of the Parsha we have the Mitzvah of “Viduy Maaser”, also known as the Maaser Confession. We are instructed to announce before God and to vocalize within the
Cultivating Self-Belief Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
The Comic Con Museum currently has an exhibit about one of the most influential men in pop culture history, Stan Lee. The exhibit will run until March 1st, 2024, and focuses mostly on Lee’s career and how he created one of the most famous comic franchises in the world, Marvel. [Rowanne Reifman]
Stan Lee’s Marvel-ous Career Celebrated at Comic-Con Museum Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, San Diego County
(Press Release) California-based Jewish nonprofit leader Scott Brockman has joined the executive team of American Society of the University of Haifa (ASUH), assuming the position of Vice President of Development. Brockman has more than 25 years of experience in the Jewish nonprofit world, leading organizations that have strategically reimagined themselves and grown to expand their
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — It’s summer in Israel and that means hot, sunny, and no chance of rain. So you can be sure that you won’t be caught in a rain shower – but you’ll be hot. What’s “hot” in the Sharon area on the coastal plain where we live? About 33
Escaping Humidity in Jerusalem Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food