Religious Zionists sacrifice their lives in the IDF well beyond their proportion in Israel’s population

Young men and young women — some not so young — responded

full-heartedly to the military call-ups after October 7. Yet although the

religious Zionist community comprises roughly 20–22% of Israel’s population, its sons account for approximately one-third of the fallen in this war — far beyond their demographic share. [Stephen M. Flatow]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Bar-Ilan University to research impact of Oct 7 and aftermath on Israelis

The new center will conduct large-scale research on the diverse populations affected by the war, including former hostages and their families, soldiers, evacuees from Israel’s southern and northern regions, as well as professionals such as medical teams, emergency responders, and journalists. [Press Release]

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Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education

Diplomats from 26 countries tour Auschwitz

The delegation, led by Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon included 21 ambassadors and five deputy permanent representatives to the United Nations from Albania, Australia, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Haiti, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Micronesia, Moldova, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Romania, Rwanda, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu and Zambia. [Press Release]

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Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

International array of composers highlights Jewish Community Symphony’s Feb. 15 program

It featured music by five different composers, British Ralph Vaughn Williams, Russian Peter Illitch Tchaikovsky, German Carl Maria von Weber, American John Williams, and Armenian Aram Khatchaturian. Two of the works, Vaughn Williams’ Overture to The Wasps and Williams’ “Viktor’s Tale,” from the film The Terminal were unfamiliar. (Eileen Wingard)

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Eileen Wingard, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A Jewish archeologist exults over evidence that Jews resided in Kiev since its 10th century founding

“I just found out that a great archeological discovery has been made,” he began. “Don’t ask how I found out about it. It’s a big secret. Our authorities do not like such stories very much. A letter written in the 10th century in Kiev was discovered in the old Cairo synagogue. The letter was written in Hebrew. It mentioned Kiev for the first time in history. …” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Roddy Edmonds to receive a Medal of Honor for protecting Jews in a POW camp

In January 1945, the Nazi Commandant of the camp ordered Edmonds to have all of the Jewish POWs report to the assembly grounds the next morning at 6 a.m.  The next morning, the Commandant was surprised and angered. [Jerry Klinger]

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Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Congregations, schools, plan unique Purim programs

For example: Beth Jacob Congregation announces its “British Purim Invasion” at 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 3. The event will include horse-drawn queen’s carriage rides, professional portraits, scavenger hunt, bounce castle, Megillah reading, fish and chips shoppe, pub food including shepherd’s pie, bangers, and mash, tearoom, gin cocktails, and scones. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Contemporary Torah: Crazy poems, gold, stories and time

I, like many, many people, have experienced a type of generosity that no bank account can quantify. I remember a moment when my little girl decided to “give back” to me. She didn’t have money, but she gave me her resources: She went into her room and emerged later with a crinkled drawing and a polished stone she had picked with a ribbon. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors