Short Story: The Perfume Cabinet

In his free time from love, Daniel made cabinets. The cabinets were all different types – wardrobes, kitchen cabinets, bookshelves. He was a great cabinet designer. The factory’s products were popular. But Daniel didn’t stop there. He designed and manufactured new original cabinets. He loved his work very much, and his work loved him back, as he was constantly receiving new orders and designing ingenious cabinet models for various purposes. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Fiction, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Trump, Zelenskyy Optimistic about Peace Between Ukraine and Russia, but Offer Few Specifics at Mar-A-Lago

Trump identified one area still awaiting resolution as whether Russia or Ukraine would keep the land in the Donbas region in Eastern Ukraine that Russia now occupies. Another is the fate of a Ukrainian nuclear power reactor, which Russian troops captured and now occupy. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Film Review: ‘Marty Supreme’ is Supreme Cinema

Marty Mauser, the protagonist of Marty Supreme, is a plucky ping pong imp and shoe salesman, in addition to being a nimble and loquacious malarkey artist. He is also a shockingly-gawdawful, verbal bastard person to his mother, played by Fran Drescher, who left her specific, discount Phyllis Diller voice in the dustbin of screen history where it belongs, much to the contentment of my sensitive ears. [John E. Finley-Weaver]

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Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Beware of Movies about the Bible

In the fictional film ending, the Israelites hear of David and Batsheva’s adultery and murder of her husband, and huge crowds gather to stone Batsheva. David tells God he is entirely to blame (as if he could fool God) and tries to commit suicide to save the woman he loves. God accepts his plea, and he is forgiven. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
https://youtu.be/IbMnYCnf_iE?si=RDVogknjJGJB6n0W

A Hanukkah Musical Composed and Performed by Jewish Youth

I was curious about how the show came about and especially about Ari’s and Maya’s creative contributions.  The Gimbels and Cherlin-Baird graciously spent some time with me on zoom and told me all about their process. [Sandi Masori]

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Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Holocaust Survivor Says Jewish Communal Disappointment with Australian Politicians Runs High

His opinions about Australia’s leadership should be given due weight in the wake of the Dec. 14 massacre of 15 celebrants at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on the first night of Chanukah and the Dec. 25 bombing in Melbourne of an unoccupied car toting a mobile billboard that said, “Happy Chanukah.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Perry Twins: Rhythm, Resonance, and the Revolution of Joy

Collaborations with Tara Kemp and Niki Haris arrived not through strategy, but alignment. In Jewish mysticism, souls recognize each other across lifetimes. These partnerships feel like that. Voices that carry history, strength, and survival. Together, they are not chasing relevance. They are restoring lineage. [Michael Adam Cohen]

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California, Jewish Religion, Michael Adam Cohen, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Global Pushback Against Radical Islamists

A notable shift has emerged among progressive, reformist, and moderate Muslim leaders worldwide. From 2023 onward, these voices have more openly condemned political Islam (or Islamism)—the ideology seeking coercive theocratic governance, supremacism, and authoritarian control—while distinguishing it from Islam as a personal faith. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Trump’s Cabinet Secretaries Send Christian Messages on Federal Websites

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed, “We are blessed to share a nation and a Savior.” Similarly, Defense Secretary Hegseth asserted, “Today, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” The inherent problem with these messages is that they use a collective “we” to describe religious views and beliefs, as if these are views and beliefs that all Americans share. [Halie Soifer]

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Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA