Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z”l, husband of Marcie Merel, z”l, passed away Saturday morning, July 10. He leaves behind children Joshua (Pamela), Daniel and Judith, and grandchildren Jessica (Shaun Miller), Jesse and Emily, and great-granchildren Benjamin and Elon. [Congregation Beth Israel news release]
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, 97 Read More »
Travel and Food
American Jews were expected to gather on Sunday (July 11) outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., to hear a line-up of more than 20 speakers in a rally co-hosted by prominent Jewish organizations – all to confront the overwhelming levels of antisemitism that have evolved in America and worldwide. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Major Rally Against Antisemitism on Sunday, July 11, in Washington D.C. Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
Published by BANG Showbiz English Scarlett Johansson has “no plans” to return to playing Black Widow. The 36-year-old actress has played Natasha Romanoff and her superhero alter-ego in several Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) movies, and recently took on the role in her own solo movie after the eponymously titled ‘Black Widow’ movie hit cinema screens
Scarlett Johansson: I’m done with Black Widow Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Published by DPA Esther Bejarano, a Jewish woman who survived Auschwitz concentration camp by playing in the girls’ orchestra, has died at the age of 96 in Hamburg, her adopted home. Helga Obens, a member of the Auschwitz Committee board, confirmed her death on Saturday. Bejarano died quietly in her sleep in the early hours
Auschwitz survivor Esther Bejarano dies at the age of 96 Read More »
International, Jewish History
Published by AFP Washington (AFP) – President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, an ambitious star in his Democratic Party, to be ambassador to India, with which the United States has an increasingly close relationship. Garcetti, who has led country’s second-largest city since 2013 with a focus on improving transportation and
Biden taps LA Mayor Garcetti as ambassador to India Read More »
USA
Unless overturned on appeal, a case brought against gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson and gun store San Diego Guns will be permitted to proceed on behalf of the victims of the April 27, 2019 shooting at Chabad of Poway, which occurred on the last day of Passover. [Donald H. Harrison]
Suit Okayed Against Gun Manufacturer, Store in Chabad of Poway Shooting Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — For more than two weeks, the condo building collapse in Surfside, Florida, has remained an inescapable fixture in Jewish and mainstream media alike. Of course, a tragedy of this magnitude merits the abundant coverage. But at this stage, we cannot ignore the emotional toll of the headlines. On
The emotional toll of the Surfside headlines Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, USA
I personally feel no guilt for having the God-given privilege of being alive. I mourn for my grandparents, uncles, and aunts who perished at the hands of Nazi maniacs; often weeping for not having experienced their love. I cry in anguish when reminded that 6 million of my brethren, young and old, left this earth via gas chambers and crematoriums. I sense the pain of my family and friends who saw their elders shot before their very eyes and their babies hurled against brick walls and bayoneted. I experienced deep anger when I viewed the numbers branded on the arm of my father, of blessed memory. Yet I thanked God for sparing the lives of my beloved parents. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
A Child of Survivors Speaks Out Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Lifestyles
By Yaakov Lappin (July 6, 2021 / JNS) The reported June 23 blast that rocked a building linked to Iran’s nuclear program in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran, appears to have disrupted the ability of the Islamic Republic to feed key nuclear program sites with new centrifuges. According to international media reports, an
Recent Iran blast appears ‘designed to disrupt supply of centrifuges to nuclear sites’ Read More »
Middle East
By Faygie Holt (July 8, 2021 / JNS) The countdown started weeks ago, and it’s finally time—time for many to return to sleepaway camp after a year of lockdowns, Zoom school, and separation from friends and family amid a worldwide pandemic. “I’m so happy! It’ll be so nice to see everyone,” said 14-year-old Eliana Menasha,
Jewish campers express relief just ‘getting to be kids again’ Read More »
Lifestyles, USA
Published by Prime Time Sports Talk The Boston Celtics might have a sneaky rookie joining their roster this upcoming season. As part of the Kemba Walker trade, Boston parted with the 16th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. As such, the team only has one pick in the upcoming draft: No. 45 overall. The
Published by Miami Herald SURFSIDE, Fla. – Elected leaders and government agencies have vowed to uncover what caused Champlain Towers South to suddenly collapse, killing dozens as they slept — and everyone from construction contractors to town building officials to condo board members will be scrutinized for their role. Lawsuits filed by survivors and relatives
Will anyone face criminal charges over Surfside condo collapse? Here’s what experts say Read More »
USA
Published by Reuters By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. Justice Department declined to prosecute 82% of people suspected of federal hate crimes over most of the past two decades, it said in a research report on Thursday, revealing a rate of prosecution far lower than that for other federal crimes. The report
U.S. chose not to prosecute 82% of hate-crime suspects from 2005-2019 Read More »
USA
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Orthodox Union (OU), the nation’s oldest and largest umbrella organization for the North American Orthodox Jewish community, has awarded $100,000 in grants to 35 synagogues in 15 U.S. states — including three synagogues in California — and one Canadian province in an effort to bring communities back to synagogue
3 California Synagogues Among 35 Receiving Grants to Welcome Congregants Back Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA