By Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — Memorial Day weekend is a long weekend, and for some, four days long. Parks, buildings, auditoriums, stadiums are named for heroes. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and commemorative postage stamps remind us of sacrifice. If you went to a cemetery this weekend its likely you will see […]
Three Memorial Day Weekend Episodes Read More »
Oliver Pollak, Opinion, USA
At the dedication on Sunday, considerable symbolism was found in a Cohen (believed to be descended from the priests of ancient Judaism) to have built an Ark at a synagogue named after “Betzalel,” which in addition to being the name of Rabbi Trestman’s father also was the name of the person identified in the Book of Exodus as the man who built the Ark of the Covenant, with the help of Oholiab. [Donald H. Harrison]
Eagle Scout Builds an Aron Kodesh for Chabad Congregation Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Here is a Jewish-interest license plate that puzzled Harry Jacobson-Beyer of Louisville, Kentucky, and frankly puzzles us too. A shiva is the seven-day mourning period following the burial of a loved one. If that is what “shiva” on this license plate refers to, then we offer the owner of the car bearing this license plate our condolences. We are used to license plates being more celebratory in nature, but people grieve in their own ways. If on the other hand, the car owner sought to convey some other message, well, he or she is likely to notice now and then some confused Jewish drivers in the rear-view mirror.
It is a playhouse with good yichus. It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Elkins was one of three presenters at a Tikun Leil Shavuot, a Shavuot night study session at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The others were Marcia Tatz Wollner, who spoke about book banning and burning through the ages, and Dr. Seth Krosner, M.D., a critical care surgery specialist, who discussed what Jewish texts have to say about decisions concerning end of life and abortions. [Donald H. Harrison]
Of Robots, Banned Books, Dying, and Abortions Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology
When an acquaintance suggested that she try yoga, Gadd was skeptical at first. “How can that help me?” she asked. “Just come and see,” counseled the acquaintance. Moving her body in specific ways, according to the directions of her yoga instructor, “led to clarity of thought,” she said. Mindfulness helped her “dissipate the stress, the mental shpilkes, something like giving your dog exercise so it can calm down,” Gadd recalled. She found that she left the yoga sessions feeling better, without need for medications. “Deep breathing and so forth can create physiological changes,” she explained. [Donald H. Harrison]
Popular Instructor Says Judaism and Yoga are Complementary Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Jewish Federation of San Diego on Thursday stated that it “applauds the White House for crafting a broad plan to address rising antisemitism that embraces many of our policy priorities, including funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $360 million, full funding for the Jabra-No Hate Act, and ensuring quality
The following is the full text of the Biden administration’s fact sheet on its newly announced National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism: Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is releasing the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism. This strategy includes over 100 new actions the Administration will take to raise awareness of antisemitism and its threat to
Biden Administration Releases National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism Read More »
USA
Five members of the Rożeńek family were pulled from their hiding places in 1944 by armed members of a militia, forced to jump from a second-story window, and riddled with bullets on their way down. One member of the family, who was hiding in an outbuilding, observed the massacre and escaped into obscurity. [Donald H. Harrison]
American Investigative Reporter Probes Cases of Jews Murdered by Poles Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History
Published by DPA Israel has opened a new 70-kilometre hiking trail through the Ramot Menashe reserve, a UNESCO-recognised biosphere near Nazareth, taking hikers through oak forests, villages and archaeological sites. A new day trip option for any visitors of the nearby northern city of Nazareth, the hike starts and ends at the Megiddo Junction bus
Israel Opens New Hiking Trail Near Nazareth Read More »
Israel
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Nakba Day resolution opens with a brazen lie: “…the Nakba is the root cause of the issues that continue to divide Israel and the Palestinian people today.” The Democratic congresswoman’s resolution for May 15 calls for commemorating the 75th anniversary of “Israel’s uprooting, dispossession, and exile
Multiple Nakbas Imposed Upon American Jews Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Kayla Swartzberg San Diego Hebrew Day School’s Head of School Rabbi Simcha Weiser says it best: “Without a Jewish day school, continuity of Jewish life would not be sustainable.” “Now, this clarity is obvious to all.” This past week, the Jewish day school celebrated its 60th anniversary hosting a Diamond Jubilee Gala. With good
Shining Bright at San Diego Hebrew Day School’s Diamond Jubilee Gala Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The Jewish people have a long experience of functioning in absurd situations. The very creation of the State of Israel was an unthinkable event, the realization of an unattainable dream. This is what the struggle between Soviet Jews and the Soviet authorities for the right of repatriation in the
Eugene Ionesco: Rhinoceroses Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — On May 17, San Diegans had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand their tangible impact on saving lives in Israel. Mike Aron, Karen Aron, and fellow members of the local Jewish community gathered at Congregation Adat Yeshurun in La Jolla for the dedication of an ambulance that they
Ambulance Donation Demonstrates ‘Unyielding Bond’ With Israel Read More »
Israel, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County