If a Cohen is angry at the congregation — maybe because someone parked too close to his car again, or the kiddush ran out of herring — he’s not allowed to bless. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Parsha Naso Drasha: The power of a face (with a smile) Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
(I) could not contemplate any journey without having a book to read. But last week I had to endure that half-hour journey without proper reading matter, a predicament I hope never to have to repeat. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Without a book to read, author mulls eight novels she wrote Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Psychologists who study material culture suggest that tchotchkes function as “externalized memory drives.” In a fast-moving world, our brains are notoriously unreliable narrators. We forget the exact smell of the salt air on a vacation from 2012; we forget the specific cadence of a late-night conversation with an old friend. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Tchotchkes: Why we cling to the things with no use Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Felix Rohatyn (May 29, 1928 – December 14, 2019) was an American investment banker and diplomat. He spent most of his career with Lazard, where he brokered numerous large corporate mergers and acquisitions from the 1960s through the 1990s. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Felix Rohatyn Read More »
Business & Finance, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
If you are one of the people, like my son, who has never seen either the 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews or the play, which has long been a high-school musical favorite, here’s a quick run-down. [Sandi Masori]
Enjoy ‘The Sound of Music,’ but please don’t break out in song Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
I have heard scattered reports of suicides by Israeli soldiers and grieving relatives, but until this JTA article was published on Wednesday I was not aware that 22 active-duty IDF soldiers died by suicide, which was the highest number since 2010. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Suicide in Miami; Boycott of Israeli products in Brooklyn Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Business & Finance, Israel, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Much of the Western world’s media is in a tizzy over the inhospitable, “uncivilized” treatment that participants in a recent flotilla suffered at the hands of Israeli authorities. (See Times of Israel story) Some of those arrested claimed that they were treated like terrorists. [Steve Kramer]
Flotilla passengers accuse Ben-Gvir of treating them like terrorists Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
During a gala tribute to retiring CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, B’nai B’rith proudly launched the Daniel S. Mariaschin Institute for Leadership and Public Policy. [SDJW staff]
Jewish world news briefs: May 28, 2026 Read More »
Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Shlomo Riskin (May 28, 1940) is an Orthodox rabbi, and the founding rabbi of Lincoln Square Synagogue on the Upper West Side of New York City, which he led for 20 years; founding chief rabbi of the Israeli settlement of Efrat in the Israeli-occupied West Bank; former dean of Manhattan Day School in New York City; and founder and Chancellor of the Ohr Torah Stone Institutions, a network of high schools, colleges, and graduate Programs in the United States and Israel. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Shlomo Riskin Read More »
Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The Torah teaches that while actions may look identical outwardly, inwardly they are never the same. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Naso: Compare and despair Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
An exhibition at the northern end of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park reports that, according to legend, William Skidmore discovered the gold-laden quartz ledge in March of 1870 while chasing one of his 36 mules. (Cailin Acosta)
Mining in the Cuyamaca Mountains has a colorful history Read More »
Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
As many as 1,000 protesters rallied in Manhattan on Tuesday outside Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence, to demand that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani be more responsive to the safety concerns of the city’s Jewish residents or be removed from office by New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul. [SDJW staff]
Jewish world briefs Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jewish Heritage Month is ending in a few days. I was pleased to see a display on my way out of an event at La Mesa Arts Academy honoring famous Jewish Americans. [Cailin Acosta]
Jewish American Heritage Month nears conclusion Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Herman Wouk (May 27, 1915 – May 17, 2019) was an American author. He published 15 novels, many of them historical fiction such as The Caine Mutiny (1951), for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1952. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Herman Wouk Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia