Jewish Journal

Increasing the Light of Allyship This Hanukkah

Rabbi Dara Frimmer and Rabbi Mike Moskowitz - December 15, 2020 0

Hanukkah reminds us that our work is not complete until everyone can safely express their identities.

Tisha B'Av

Netanyahu, Gantz Sign Jewish Unity Document

Aaron Bandler - December 15, 2020 0

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz were among the Israeli leaders who signed a Jewish unity document on December 14. The...

Commentary

A Catastrophe in the Red Sea is Imminent

Max Kaplan-Zantopp, ZAVIT Science and Environment News Agency - December 15, 2020 0

A threat is endangering the Red Sea and its diverse ecosystem; an impending catastrophe whose damage dwarfs the 1989 Exxon Valdez Oil Spill.

Philanthropy

At the Time They Are Needed Most, Donor-Advised Funds Empower Charitable Giving

Steve Gamer, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles (Sponsored Article) - November 10, 2020 0

In the realm of trusts-and-estates attorney Paul Gordon Hoffman, planned charitable giving is every bit as personal as it is professional. A founding member...

News

NY Hebrew School Website Hacked With Nazi Imagery, Leaked Personal Information

Aaron Bandler - December 15, 2020 0

A Hebrew school in Long Island, New York, was hacked with neo-Nazi imagery that also resulted in leaked personal information about students enrolled at the academy.

Editor's Picks
Picks

Food

Crispy Creamy Iraqi Aruk

Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff - December 14, 2020 0

Aruk are golden-green fried Iraqi herb and potato patties.

Commentary

What Does Being Jewish Teach Us About Resilience During a Pandemic?

Gary Wexler - December 10, 2020 0

Without my Jewish identity, I would not navigate this pandemic in the way that I am.

Commentary

The Mitzvah of Health

Rabbi Rick Schechter - December 14, 2020 0

A healthy body gives us the strength to fulfill the mitzvot and sacred actions of our religion.

Entertainment

‘Shtisel’ Sneak Peek: Virtual Screening and Cast Q&A

Gerri Miller - December 10, 2020 0

Temple Emanu-El Streicker center has a Hanukkah present for fans of the hit Israeli series.

Israel

2021 Preview: Israel Awaits Restoration and Transformation

Shmuel Rosner - December 15, 2020 0

Everything changed because of the pandemic. That is — except our political system.

Who Counts as a Jew of Color — and Does it Even Matter?

Sarah Katz - December 14, 20200

Commentary

Categorizing Jews as “of color” actually serves as a point of erasure.

Hanukkah “Maccabees” Story Reenacted at Drive-Thru

Ryan Torok - December 15, 20200

The 30-minute drive-thru blended education, family-friendly theater and only slightly irritating bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Health

Addressing Concerns about Memory Loss During the Pandemic

Alzheimer's Los Angeles (Sponsored Article) - December 13, 20200

It’s important to understand there are different types of memory loss and not all memory loss means Alzheimer’s disease.

Commentary

How My 88-Year-Old Grandma and I Found Love

Julia Simone Fogelson - December 15, 20200

My 88-year-old grandmother found a boyfriend before I did.

Columnists

Editor's Note

David Suissa - December 15, 20200

Jewish Identity, One Mitzvah at a Time

I can spend years asking myself, “Who am I?” But it won’t guide me as much as asking, “What should I do now?”

Columnists

Thane Rosenbaum - December 15, 20200

Are Israelis Now the Cool Kids in the Middle East?

The Trump administration discarded old orthodoxies that had been proven to be time-tested failures.

Commentary

Dennis Prager - November 20, 20200

What American Schools Should Teach About Race, Racism and Slavery

In light of the conversations about race sparked by the 2020 killing of George Floyd, many American schools are revising their approach and curriculum...

Columnists

Dan Schnur - December 14, 20200

The Curious Case of Raphael Warnock

Warnock is not Ilhan Omar. But he’s not exactly Moshe Dayan, either.

Columnists

Tabby Refael - December 9, 20200

I Didn’t Know What a Dreidel Was Until I Came to...

The road to cultural exchange among American Jewry is paved with more than milk chocolate gold.

Israel

Moroccan Jews Celebrate Kingdom’s Historic Recognition of Israel

Uri Cohen, The Media Line - December 14, 2020 0

The small but devout Jewish community in Morocco rejoiced at the news that official relations will be established between Israel and Morocco.

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Commentary

Helping you make sense of a changing world

Commentary

It’s Not Too Late to Save 2020

Alanna Apfel - December 15, 20200

There is no time more apt to transform our mindset than Hannukah.

Commentary

Using The Life-Saving Power of Creativity

Jill Gurr - December 14, 20200

As Create Now’s work has proven, the arts are integral to safety, security, and emotional well-being.

Columnists

Satirical Semite: Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Find Me a Gold Digger

Marcus J Freed - December 14, 20200

Please tell her to bring a shovel. I’ll fly her to a gold mine, and she can start digging.

Columnists

What’s a Kid From the Bronx Doing Hanging Out With Sir Anthony Hopkins?

Mark Schiff - December 14, 20200

Sir Anthony Hopkins is not only a good man, but he’s a courageous man.

Commentary

I Have Questions About the NYT’s “Saying Goodbye to Hanukkah.”

Pamela Paresky - December 11, 20200

When the NYT treats Jews with less sensitivity than it treats other minority groups, it signals that Jews are less deserving of concern and care.

PodcastsDavid Suissa - December 15, 20200

Pandemic Times Episode 112: Is the Vaccine the Light at the End of the Tunnel?

New David Suissa Podcast Every Tuesday and Friday. Personal reflections on the miracles and challenges ahead. How do we manage our lives during the coronavirus crisis?...

PodcastsErin Ben-Moche and Esther D. Kustanowitz - December 11, 20200

The Big Bagel Theory with Mayim Bialik

All of our Hanukkah dreams come true for this conversation with the prolific and brilliant Critics’ Choice Award winning actress, neuroscientist, author, mom and mogul-in-the-making Mayim...

PodcastsSalvador Litvak - October 27, 20200

Rabbi Reuven Wolf: Who Is The Jewish Messiah and When Is He Coming?

Rabbi Reuven Wolf of Maayon Yisroel Chassidic Center, takes us deep into Jewish mysticism as Sal and his rabbi explore some tough questions: Why...

PodcastsShmuel Rosner - December 8, 20200

Avi Gil: An Insider’s Look on the Life of Shimon Peres

Shmuel Rosner and Guest Avi Gil discuss Gil's latest book, Shimon Peres: An Insider’s Account of the Man and the Struggle for a New...

PodcastsJewish Journal - November 10, 20200

The Conservative meets the Democrat: Larry Greenfield and Hailey Soifer

Larry Greenfield is a Fellow at The Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship & Political Philosophy and a frequent columnist with The Jewish...

Rosner's DomainShmuel Rosner - December 13, 20200

Rosner’s Torah Talk for Hanukkah with Etienne Kerber

Our guest for Hanukkah is Etienne Kerber, from the Leo beck college in London. On Chanukah we celebrate the re-dedication of the Temple by the Maccabees. This...

JJ Bloggers

Blogs

This ‘Chanukah Fun Truck’ Brings ‘Eight Magical Nights’ to Special Needs Children Throughout New Jersey

Andrew Rossow - December 15, 2020 0

The Truck comes complete with a large dreidel display, crafts, VR games, an instant photo booth, and holiday treats and prizes.

Blogs

The Sacred Family Latkes

Sara Hershkowitz - December 14, 2020 0

I come from a family that has strong feelings about latkes.

Blogs

DREAM CATCHERS: POPS the CLUB Anthology

Lisa Ellen Niver - December 12, 2020 0

What is POPS the Club? It transforms the lives of teens with incarcerated loved ones. POPS stands for Pain of The Prison...

Blogs

A Maccabean Op-Ed on Roald Dahl

Gershon Hepner - December 10, 2020 0

Roald Dahl's abusive comments made about the Jewsshould not be treated by his many readers with impunity,in contrast to my sympathetic but aberrant viewswhich...

Blogs

You Can’t Choose Your Family – A poem for Parsha Vayeshev

Rick Lupert - December 10, 2020 0

And they took him and cast him into the pit I grew up without a sibling so never had the young impetus to throw mine into a...

'A Moment In Time'

A Moment in Time: How Will You Nurture the Light this Hanukkah?

Rabbi Zach Shapiro - December 10, 2020 0

Dear all, At this season of light, take a moment in time to nurture relationships, memories, traditions, goodness, collegiality, freedom, and hope. This video is sent...

Blogs

15 Last-Minute Hanukkah 2020 Gift Ideas

Darren Paltrowitz - December 4, 2020 0

The kick-off of Hanukkah 2020 is less than a week away. In turn, below are 15 brands with interesting products worth looking into –...

Culture
Culture

Entertainment

Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas

Tom Tugend - December 15, 20200

Almost all popular Christmas songs are the works of Jewish composers and writers.

Entertainment

Virtual Israel Film Festival Celebrates the Best in Israeli Cinema

Gerri Miller - December 12, 2020 0

The 34th annual Israel Film Festival will present a stellar lineup of offerings this year in a virtual format.

Entertainment

HSM Series’ Julia Lester, Larry Saperstein Perform Classics for Disney+ Holiday Special

Erin Ben-Moche - December 11, 2020 0

We’re all in this together this holiday season because Disney+ is gifting us with a Hanukkah “High School Musical" crossover.

People / Dating

How to Adapt Dating to COVID-19

Judith Gottesman - December 11, 2020 0

Although dating is more dangerous than it used to be, where there’s a will, there’s a way!

L.A. Stories

Community

Jewish Agency Emissaries Light Hanukkah Candles In Front of Hollywood Sign

Erin Ben-Moche - December 10, 2020 0

This was part of a worldwide campaign to counter the darkness of the coronavirus pandemic by amplifying the lights of Hanukkah.

Community

Stephen Wise Temple Hosts Drive-Thru ‘LIT Hanukkah’ Light Show Experience

Erin Ben-Moche - December 10, 2020 0

The light spectacle spans the entire Stephen Wise campus and is put on through The Lam Media Center.

Columnists

Satirical Semite: Los Angeles and London’s Very Special Relationship

Marcus J Freed - December 7, 2020 0

We will make a great couple, Los Angeles and London.

Hollywood

Entertainment

‘Love, Lights, Hanukkah!’: Mia Kirshner Stars in Hallmark’s Nod to the Festival of Lights

Gerri Miller - December 9, 2020 0

Among the 40 new holiday movies that will premiere on Hallmark Channel this season, there’s just one that highlights Jewish tradition.

Entertainment

‘Jewish-American’ Streaming Service Jewzy.TV Launches in Time for the Holidays

Erin Ben-Moche - December 7, 2020 0

Each month Jewzy subscribers can enjoy more than 100 Jewish titles spanning various genres including comedy, thrillers, documentaries, comedy specials and dramas.

Entertainment

Gal Gadot, Adam Sandler Among MTV Film & TV Award Winners

Gerri Miller - December 7, 2020 0

Several Jewish stars scored wins at the MOT MTV Film & TV Awards on Sunday.

Table For Five

Judaism

Table for Five: Hanukkah Edition

Salvador Litvak - December 9, 20200

Edited by Salvador Litvak, the Accidental Talmudist A miracle occurred and they lit for eight days. The next year the Sages instituted those days...

Judaism

Table for Five: Vayishlach

Salvador Litvak - December 2, 20200

One verse, five voices. Edited by Salvador Litvak, the Accidental Talmudist I have become small from all the kindnesses and from all the truth that...

Judaism

Table for Five: Vayeitzei

Salvador Litvak - November 25, 20200

One verse, five voices. Edited by Salvador Litvak, the Accidental Talmudist And an angel of God said to me in a dream, 'Jacob!' And I...

A Bisl Torah

A Bisl Hanukkah

Rabbi Nicole Guzik - December 11, 20200

Please enjoy this special Hanukkah message.

A Bisl Torah

What Do We Need?

Rabbi Nicole Guzik - November 13, 20200

My mom and I began to discuss Thanksgiving, a favorite holiday among the Guzik family. Usually, the dining room is bursting with relatives, new...

A Bisl Torah

Shameful Acts

Rabbi Nicole Guzik - November 11, 20200

As I have watched the election unfold, I have done exactly what I vowed not to do: scroll through Facebook and Instagram. And while...

Poetry
Poetry

Poetry

Poem: Vayishlach

Rick Lupert - December 2, 20200

This poem originally published December 11, 2019 Somewhere along the Jabbok River which has a different name if you come from the other side of the family Jacob leaves half his family to meet...

Poetry

Poem: Vayetzei

Rick Lupert - November 25, 2020 0

I It’s getting so all my poems about the Torah read like a JDate ad campaign run by old Uncle Laban Jacob, two wives and their handmaidens...

Poetry

Poem: Toldot

Rick Lupert - November 18, 2020 0

Jacob and Esau fighting in the womb like kittens one escapes, the other hanging on by a foot. Our first family ladies and gentleman. One grows hair while their father grows blind. One...

Poetry

Poem: Chayei Sarah

Rick Lupert - November 11, 2020 0

I What is it with this this mortal impermanence? You live and do things and the end is inevitable. Like a story called life which begins with...

Poetry

A Prayer for Our Country After the Election

Rabbi Naomi Levy - November 9, 2020 0

Our nation has chosen a new leader To guide us forward in this challenging time. Help us, God, to unite our great country In the wake of...

Jews In The World

Jewish Contributions to Humanity

The Jewish Scientists Who Found the Keys to Our Body’s Defenses

Jared Sichel - June 18, 2020 0

Jewish scientists were monumental in understanding the body.

Jewish Contributions to Humanity

Long Before Dr. Phil, These Jewish Psychologists Were Unmasking the Human Mind

Jared Sichel - June 18, 2020 0

Jewish scientists were monumental in understanding the universe.

Jewish Contributions to Humanity

Meet the Jewish Parents of Superman and Wonder Woman

Jared Sichel - June 18, 2020 0

Jewish scientists were monumental in understanding the universe.

Sephardic Spice Girls

Food

Mi Casa Es Su Casa: The Mexican Magic of Lenny’s Casita

Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff - December 14, 2020 0

Chef Leonardo Nourafchan oversees a dozen busy cooks chopping and grilling for Lenny’s Casita and Lenny’s Bazaar, the latest stars of the Los Angeles kosher culinary scene.

Food

The Joy of Hanukkah Cooking

Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff - December 8, 2020 0

Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of the little crucible oil that lasted eight days and nights in the rededicated Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

Food

Bright Winter Salads

Sharon Gomperts and Rachel Emquies Sheff - December 1, 2020 0

Sharon’s Turn: I started reading Seventeen Magazine as a young girl in Sydney, Australia. I was fascinated by the glimpse into American culture, American...