American Jews cannot avoid hearing from grossly ill-informed Israel-bashers, most notably those who masquerade as being loftier than thou. Four items in recent weeks stand out. [Bruce Ticker]
No Shortage of Ill-Informed Israel Bashers Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Asian-Americans experienced the largest single rise in severe online hate and harassment year-over-year in comparison to other groups, with 17 percent having experienced sexual harassment, stalking, physical threats, swatting, doxing or sustained harassment this year compared to 11 percent last year, according to a new survey released today by ADL (the Anti-Defamation League). Fully half (50 percent) of Asian-American respondents who were harassed reported that the harassment was because of their race or ethnicity. [Anti-Defamation League news release]
ADL, Citing Hate Statistics, Urges Reform of Social Media Companies Read More »
Lifestyles, USA
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been meeting with American, European and Israeli government representatives to end-run both the American Taylor Force Act (anti-“pay for slay”) and the Israeli law prohibiting financial transfers to the Palestinians in the amount the PA remunerates terrorist “salaries.” [Shoshana Bryen]
P.A. Seeks to End Run U.S. Law Against Paying Terrorists Read More »
Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the March of the Living will be hosting multiple virtual events and programs to commemorate Yom HaShoah- Holocaust Remembrance Day. View the promo video https://youtu.be/akdIQv9M9dk to learn more about this year’s theme and how we will be place memorial plaques on the train tracks leading into Auschwitz-Birkenau. [March of the Living news release]
Virtual March of the Living Set for April 8 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Marcia Tatz Wollner, San Diego County, USA
What’s the most frightening question you can ask a Jew this week?
“Have you finished cleaning for Pesach yet?” It’s Shabbat HaGadol, the first Seder follows immediately after Shabbat and, oh my goodness! And if that’s not enough, along comes parasha Tzav to point to how we benefit from de-cluttering our homes, and I’d add, our lives. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Transforming the Mundane Into the Holy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The Jewish Community Center in Boulder, Colorado, is actively participating in the healing of that city in the wake of a gunman opening fire on Monday, March 22, at the Table Mesa King Soopers supermarket and killing 10 people ranging in age from 20 to 65, including Police Officer Eric Talley, 51, who tried to quell the disturbance. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish community responds to Boulder, Atlanta shootings Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA
Lovers of opera know Giacomo Puccini as the composer of La Boheme, Tosca, Madame Butterfly and Turandot. Maestro Hershey Felder inhabits this persona in his latest film project: Hershey Felder Presents Puccini. Felder is world famous for his biographical portrayals of famous composers, sometimes drawing upon his own Jewish heritage for figures like George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Leonard Bernstein. [Eric George Tauber]
Hershey Felder’s Intimate Portrait of Puccini Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
City and county officials announced Monday that the San Diego Convention Center will be used for three months to temporarily house unaccompanied immigrant minors amid a surge along the border. At the same time, local nonprofit organizations have stepped up to house families and individual adults in hotel rooms. [Chris Jennewein]
Migrant Minors to be Housed at SD Convention Center Read More »
Chris Jennewein, International, San Diego County, USA
San Diego Rapid Response Network (SDRRN) Migrant Shelter Services, operated by Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS), has announced an urgent need for volunteers and additional staff. [Jewish Family Service news release]
JFS seeks staff and volunteers to help asylum seekers Read More »
International, San Diego County, USA
Almost all of the Dead Sea Scrolls that have been found to date are housed in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. How did Israel obtain a number of the Dead Sea Scrolls? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dead Sea Scrolls Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The “Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices” program featured a stellar line-up of poets for its Tuesday, March 16 program, attracting over 100 virtual audience members. The attendees were well-rewarded with the high caliber of poetry, beautifully delivered by local poets Annette Friend, Jen Laffler and Susan L. Lipson. A sample
Gardens, cacti and a ring grab poets’ attention Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County
Rabbi Samuel ben Meir, known as Rashbam (c. 1085–c. 1158), a grandson of Rashi, was the author of a superbly rational commentary on the Bible and Talmud. Rashbam wrote in his commentary on Genesis 1:5 that the biblical day began at daybreak. The Torah states in Genesis 1 that God performed certain acts of creation on the first day; then there was evening and then morning when the first day ended, and God began new activities in the morning of the second day. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Biblical days started at daybreak not sunset Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish ReligionI often read the obituaries of people I have never met, and often find myself regretting that life hadn’t afforded me the opportunity to sit down with them and benefit from hearing their stories and life experiences. In today’s San Diego Union-Tribune there were 4 ½ pages of paid obituaries, and many of them had an endearing fact or two about the deceased family member. Below I pull brief quotes from 22 of them so you can see what I mean. If you’re like me, I bet you also would have enjoyed meeting each one of these remarkable people. [Donald H. Harrison]
Obituaries provide much to learn and ponder Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Travel and Food
The March 21, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news includes the following highlihts:
• With half the population fully vaccinated, Israel’s Covid-19 infection rates have plummeted.
• The UK benefits from two more Israeli medical innovations.
• Many Israeli activities for Good Deeds Day – the country where it began 14 years ago.
• Israeli-designed Instagram Lite is rolled out to 170 countries.
• Israelis enjoy newly opened parks, restaurants, entertainment and sporting events.
• Kosovo opens its Jerusalem embassy.
• 1900-year-old Jewish relics discovered in Dead Sea cave. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (March 21, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA