Orna Banai (November 25, 1966) is an Israeli actress, stand-up comedian, and politician who won the 2006 Israeli Television Academy Award and was a former member of the Tel Aviv-Yafo City Council. Many of her relatives are successful Israeli actors and singers. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Orna Banai Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Putin wants legal recognition for what he has stolen, to break the principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty. And that’s the main problem. … “
Jewish Political Briefing: Monday, Nov. 24, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
From November through January, California Adventures transforms into a full-blown celebration of the winter holidays. Not just Christmas, but Diwali, Chanukah, and Navidad as well. The Festival of Holidays brings live performances, specialty food booths, and seasonal drinks. Guests can purchase a Sip and Savor Pass to sample a variety of offerings or buy items à la carte. [Cailin Acosta]
California Adventures Celebrates Chanukah with Tchotchkes, Clothing and Food Read More »
Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Two books, with familiar stories for children, have been issued in time for Chanukah.[Donald H. Harrison]
Familiar Stories Timed for Chanukah Consumption Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Many national, regional, and local craft beers will no longer be acceptable after January 1, including Sierra Nevada and Dos Equis. What is one of the ingredients that is occasionally added to some craft beers that would render the drink unkosher if not certified? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Kosher Beer Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA, Wikipedia
Dollinger challenges the standard narrative that Jews were simply “kicked out” of the Civil Rights movement by radical Black activists. Instead, he argues that Jews actively made choices to prioritize their own newfound status and ethnic identity over the continued struggle for racial justice. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Did Jewry Abandon the Fight for Racial Justice? Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Under the guise of fighting Israeli “colonization” and “genocide,” crowds of pro-Palestinian ‘colonizers’ of Europe, in parallel with proclaiming the destruction of Israel “from the river to the sea, we will liberate Palestine,” are seeking to drive European Jews out of European countries. [Alex Gordon]
OpEd: The Islamization of Europe Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Hans Popper (November 24, 1903 – May 6, 1988) was an Austrian-born pathologist, hepatologist and teacher. Together with Dame Sheila Sherlock, he is widely regarded as the founding father of hepatology. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Hans Popper Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
In 1960, Walt Disney hired them to create scores at the Walt Disney Studios. They created the song “It’s a Small World (After All)” for the New York World’s Fair and has become one of the most performed songs of all time. {Cailin Acosta]
Disneyland Pays Tribute to Jewish Composers of ‘It’s a Small World (After All)” Read More »
Cailin Acosta, California, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined ContributorsU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, assisted by a delegation that included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner along with Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, said Sunday that progress had been made in negotiations with Ukraine and its European allies on revising President Trump’s 28-point pro-Russian peace plan. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Because of the nostalgia factor, it will probably do well. The acting was as incredible as you would expect from a performance at the La Jolla Playhouse with all equity actors. [Sandi Masori]
‘Working Girl’ Takes Audience Back to the ’80s Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Bobby Dennis is the Executive Director of the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. A year and a half ago, I reached out to him about placing a historical interpretive marker in Adams County, Mississippi, to interpret, remember, and honor the struggle for Black American educational opportunity and the Rosenwald Schools in Adams. [Jerry Klinger]
Rosenwald School Marker Dedicated in Natchez, Mississippi Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
1 Maccabees is more chronological and focuses on the military fight and initial victory. In contrast, 2 Maccabees addresses the religious aspects. It focuses on martyrdom, divine intervention, and the purification of the temple. Both show that there was more than a fight against the Seleucid Empire. It was also a Civil War—Jews against Jews, Cains against Abels. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Misunderstood Origin of Chanukah Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Although it’s considered a relatively minor holiday in the Jewish calendar, it is widely observed, even by Jews who identify more culturally than religiously. Perhaps that’s because there’s no requirement to attend synagogue for Hanukkah. The irony is delicious: a holiday celebrating the rededication of the Temple does not require you to step foot in one. [Betzy Lynch]
Rededicating Ourselves to Judaism in Time for Hanukkah Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA