Pianist Iegor Romanenko from Kharkiv, Ukraine, sat down to give an impromptu recital last Sunday afternoon at the home of Solana Salons’ hostess, Monique Kunewalder. Although arranged just days before, Romanenko’s performance drew fifty guests to listen to this talented refugee musician. [Eileen Wingard]
Ukrainian Pianist Romanenko Delights at Impromptu Recital Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Horrifying statement from a newly elected MK: “Our banner is one of unambiguous war on progress. The status-quo has to be changed, ensuring that Judaism is acknowledged in every corner of the life of the State. Israel will be a country that observes the Sabbath in public, homosexual families will not be given recognition, and women will not serve in the army; their contribution will be to marry and produce a family. We will not be like countries that are for all their citizens. Heaven forfend. The values of Judaism supersede all individual rights. Look, I’m getting tools and budgets, I’m here to work, and we will clean up the public systems. Watch me, I’m patient, this is just the beginning of the beginning.” [Dorothea Sherfer-Vanson]
A Case of Theological Thuggery in Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel –The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation website says about her: “A freedom-loving woman in a world in which women were not free; an intellectual in a world in which only men were considered educated and intelligent; a political leader in a world in which men ruled; a socialist in a world of
Jewish Biography: Rosa Luxemburg, the ‘Red Rose’ Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History
“The exhibit … aims to combat bigotry and hate by investing in greater education and understanding of the history of hate and racism towards the Jewish community and other victims of the Holocaust,” Fletcher continued. “The United States Institute of Peace emphasizes the role that memorialization plays in reconstructing social fabric and relations following conflict. It is important that the initiative is led by those with personal connections to the Holocaust, as well as with the San Diego community, to encourage authentic representation and meaningful engagement.” [Donald H. Harrison]
County Supervisors to Vote Jan. 24 on Funding Holocaust Exhibit Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County
The Bible commentator Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437-1508) suggests that God wanted the Israelites to borrow objects from Egyptians to give the Egyptians an additional reason to pursue the Israelites when they realized they were trying to escape. God, according to Abarbanel, wanted the Egyptians to rush into the water to catch the Israelites, where they would be punished by drowning. They killed Israelite male children and tossed the carcasses in the river. Now they will be thrown. Is this how we want to picture God acting? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Obscure Items in Parasaha Va-ayra (Exodus 6:2-9:35) Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Beginning at 5 p.m. tonight, there will be six presentations in UCSD Library’s Holocaust Living History Workshop series, an education and outreach program cosponsored by the Jewish Studies program that aims to preserve the memories of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. [Press Release]
Six Remaining Holocaust Presentations in UCSD Library Series Read More »
California, Holocaust, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Until Tuesday, our first “Jew-ish” Congressman established himself as a serial liar, a possible criminal suspect and a punchline. Now it is far worse: George Santos is scary, and maybe dangerous. The Washington Post reports a web of connections that begs questions as to what he is capable of, in or out of Congress. It compounds other disturbing elements of the controversy. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Santos, the ‘Jew-ish’ Congressman: How Perilous is He? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Opinion, USA
“Our findings seem to provide the first evidence that there was also an ‘Israeli Silk Road’ used by merchants along the international trading routes. This route branched off from the traditional Silk Route that passed to the north of Israel, crossing the Arava and connecting to the main historical trade routes that crossed the country, as well as to the main ports of Gaza and Ashkelon that served a major gateways to the Mediterranean world.”
Archaeologists Find Evidence of Asian Trade Route Through Israel in 8th Century Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Travel and Food
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Oy gevalt! Evictions, pleading to “let My people go,” magic staffs, plagues, hardened hearts…read all this and enjoy a peaceful Shabbat? By now we’ve learned that whatever happens in our lives always happens for our benefits. Let’s look at the lessons in this week’s Torah reading, the 14th
Parashat Va’eira: Facing Life’s Challenges Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Oliver B. Pollak TETON VILLAGE, Wyoming — I watched The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film on Amazon Prime. There were four of us in the living room, that cut it down to $5 each. I had no intention of writing about it. I got a birthday gift in November, Paul Newman, The Extraordinary Life
Books and Films – Paul Newman, Steven Spielberg, and the Second World War Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Celebrities, Oliver Pollak, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
(JNS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told cabinet ministers that Israel will experience a massive increase in Aliyah (immigration) from Western countries, including the U.S. Netanyahu said that Israel’s future entry into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, combined with Israel’s strengthening economy, will attract more Jewish American immigrants. “Israel’s economy is getting stronger; we will
Netanyahu Predicts Massive Increase in Western Aliyah Read More »
Israel, USA
By Mike Wagenheim (JNS) The U.S. Supreme Court agreed on Friday to hear a case involving religious accommodations in the workplace. An appeal in the case of Groff v. Dejoy was filed by Gerald Groff, an Evangelical postal worker who refused to work on Sundays, his sabbath, going so far as to offer to work
U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Case on Sabbath Observance Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Jerry Klinger National Public Radio reported a story that was frankly, flabbergasting, a big word meaning — you have got to be kidding. An office within the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work says it is removing the term “field” from its curriculum because it may have racist connotations related to slavery.
Woke Intolerance and the Canceling of the Father of the Georgia Peach Industry Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, USA
By Chris Jennewein Times of San Diego LA JOLLA, California — Top lawmakers and Jewish community leaders celebrated the official opening Sunday of a Hillel center adjacent to UC San Diego following 23 years of struggle. The $18.7 million Beverly and Joseph Glickman Hillel Center, built on previously vacant land across La Jolla Village Drive
UCSD Jewish Students ‘Finally Getting Their Due’ as Long-Awaited Hillel Opens Read More »
Chris Jennewein, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education