Shabbat Chayei Sarah 5784 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — Our great matriarch, Sarah Imeinu, had an exceedingly challenging life. The trials and tribulations she faced are evident when one reads the basic text of the Torah: First, she had to leave to a far off unknown land. Then she endured a famine.
Living a Life of Faith Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
Hundreds of San Diegans who viewed a “Bring Them Home” webinar to rescue the estimated 240 hostages abducted from Israel to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, were urged on Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, to take five steps to help bring about the hostages’ release from the Hamas terror organization. [Donald H. Harrison]
San Diego County Vigil Held Online for Hostages Taken by Hamas Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Press Release) – The Shabbat Project – an international movement that brings together Jews from all walks of life and all levels of observance to keep one Shabbat, celebrated in a spirit of global Jewish unity– took place on Nov. 3-4, 2023, in more than 100 countries and 1,500 cities, with more
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – Kindness Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing vital support to Jewish households in San Diego County, proudly announces the appointment of Sabrina Kerbel as its new Executive Director. With a strong commitment to helping families navigate life’s challenges, Kerbel is poised to lead the organization in its mission to
Kindness Initiative Appoints Sabrina Kerbel as New Executive Director Read More »
San Diego County
PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania (Press Release) — Five years ago, a white supremacist murdered 11 Jews at prayer at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. It was the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. The killings — one of a series of violent racist attacks committed by an increasingly aggressive white supremacist movement shocked the
Film on Pittsburgh Synagogue Attack to Air on San Diego Public TV Nov. 13 and 16 Read More »
San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Event organizers remarkably balanced an evening of much needed joy and community, while remaining present to and not diminishing the heaviness and heartbreak of the ongoing war in Israel. People swayed with their arms around each other during Havdalah and as we sang Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem. [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
Federation Fundraiser Mixes Sorrow and Joy Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann
Like my father, I was presented as a traitor to the homeland and an enemy of the USSR. Although my immigration to Israel was legal, I was honored with the title of “traitor to the homeland.” My father was labeled a “traitor to the homeland” in 1949, although he loved the USSR and socialism. I was labeled a “traitor to the fatherland” 30 years later. In that country, any Jew could be a traitor – one who loved the homeland, as my father did, and one who did not love it, as I did. [Alex Gordon]
The Melody of Zionism Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History
NEW YORK (Press Release) — Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds and its affiliates announced today that they have secured more than $1 billion in bond investments from investors since October 7, fortifying Israel’s economy during wartime. With this ongoing groundswell of investment in the Jewish state, Israel Bonds has also doubled its annual global bond
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — As Israel’s war with Hamas rages on, uniting as a community in support of Israel is more important than ever. Recently, over 80 San Diego young professionals joined together in solidarity for Israel at Jewish National Fund-USA’s JNFuture Fall Soirée at the Ultimate Skybox at DiamondView Tower to support the
San Diego Philanthropists Come Together in Solidarity for Israel Read More »
Israel, San Diego County
By Mara Hochberg-Miller SAN DIEGO — There are no words. I have been struggling with what to say because I have no words. And what can I say, that hasn’t been said already, or better? Finally, I decided I must write for me. And for the off chance that someone outside of my echo chamber
The Israel-Hamas War: Why Are You So Silent Now? Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Sarah lived to be 127 while Abraham lived to be 175. Chayei Sarah, can be translated as “The Lifetime of Sarah.” From the Talmud we learn, “the righteous are called living even after death.” Perhaps this is why the prominence of Sarah’s life is highlighted in the
Parashat Chayei Sarah: The Benefits of Aging Young Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — The headline that Mike Johnson hoped for on Friday: “Democrats betray Israel.” Instead he got this New York Times headline: “House Passes Bill Tying Israel Aid to Spending Cuts With Nothing for Ukraine.” More to the point, let’s try: “Putin wins first round against Ukraine with help from GOP
Putin’s New Man in Washington Games Israel Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Mark D. Zimmerman Actor Matthew Perry died tragically at the age of 54. Perry was best known for playing Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends. Bing was not one of the Jewish characters on the show–among the six friends, Ross, Monica and Rachel were Jewish. Which Friends episode featured Chandler Bing with a Jewish
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Matthew Perry RIP Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — For the first time since Covid descended upon us, I took a long flight to outside the United States. My lingering paranoia about contracting Covid prompted me to wear a mask, even though most of the passengers seemed oblivious to the continuing rise of Covid cases and brazenly inhaled
Satire: Catching a Cold in the Post-Covid Era Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire