Crises Spawn Creativity; Let it Be So in This Period of Crisis for the Jewish People

Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur wrote, “We are in a time of mashber. It’s a time of anger and hope, death and life. It’s the birthing of something new and no one knows what that’s going to be.” [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

B’nai B’rith International Meets with World Leaders in Defense of Israel

In its meetings with presidents, prime ministers, foreign ministers and other senior officials, B’nai B’rith will again underscore the threat posed by illicit Iranian nuclear activity, missile production and sponsorship of terrorism. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release

Alleged Threatening Emails and Phone Calls by Fistel Did Jews a Disservice

The Fistel case is striking because it has the potential to intensify the already frightening environment that Jews worldwide must endure. He allegedly wrote or called in possible death threats to Mamdani. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Biography of a Jewish Biographer: Emil Ludwig

Ludwig gained significant fame from his biographical novels Goethe (1920), Bismarck (1921–1926), Napoleon (1924), about Jesus Christ, Der Menschensohn History of a Prophet (1928), Lincoln (1930), Michelangelo (1930), Schliemann (1932), Roosevelt (1938), Beethoven (1943). [Alex Gordon]

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

The Meaning of the Shofar Blasts

When we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us that G-d created the world, and He is our King. Additionally, when we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us to reflect on our past mistakes and return to G-d. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

Documentary: Israel’s Polarization Led to Massacre by Gazans on 10/7

Venezuelan documentary film maker Jonatan Jakubowicz made the 108-minute Soul of a Nation with a decided point of view. He had witnessed the transformation of Venezuela from a democracy to an authoritarian state in league with narco-terrorists.  The Jewish Jakubowicz feared that polarization in Israel similarly might lead to that country’s dissolution. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Two Jewish Sons in the NFL Prompt Proud Dad’s Memoir

Now comes a memoir by Schwartz’s proud father, an ultimate football fan who estimates he had personally attended some 300 games counting high school, college, and professional contests that Mitchell and his older brother, Geoff have participated in. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

24th Annual San Diego International Film Festival Opens Oct 15

There is no shortage of familiar celebrity names featured in the films. The Opening Night film will showcase Julia Roberts in Luca Guadagnino’s After the Hunt. Another highly anticipated film, Rental Family, stars Brendan Fraser. The eagerly awaited film, Fantasy Life, features Amanda Peet and Alessandro Nivola. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘As a Jew’ Tells How Judaism is an Evolving Religion

At its core, the book feels like an inviting crash course in Judaism. Hurwitz doesn’t present texts, history, ethics, or rituals as abstract or academic. Instead, she brings them to life showing how Judaism has always been dynamic, evolving, and deeply rooted in human experience. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Remarkable Concentration Camp Wedding Featured in ‘Bau, Artist at War’

Scheduled to open Sept. 26 in theaters around San Diego (AMC, Angelika, Cinepolis, Regal, The Lot) is a remarkable Holocaust movie, Bau, Artist At War revealing the initial meeting, romance, and surreptitious wedding of Joseph Bau (Emile Hirsch) and Rebecca Tannenbaum (Inbar Levi) in a women’s barracks at the Plaszow Concentration Camp . [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast