During the pandemic, chef and social entrepreneur David Hertz started Solidarity Kitchens, a project to enable chefs to use their own kitchens to prepare meals for Brazil’s most vulnerable. (Edipo Ferraz) David Hertz’s entire adult life has been focused on food. But what interests this Jewish chef from Brazil isn’t so much creating signature dishes that will land him on the pages of magazines (though he’s had that honor). It’s using food as a tool to alleviate poverty and address social injustice. “Food is central to our daily lives, not only in terms of eating but also in understanding the bi ..read more

via Sesame Street In “Shabbat Shalom,” Elmo, Big Bird and their friends participate in a moving outdoor Shabbat dinner. Recently, to little fan-fare, “Sesame Street” premiered a truly gorgeous episode about the weekly Jewish holiday of Shabbat. The episode, titled “Shabbat Shalom,” came out on Friday, April 25, during the Jewish holiday of Passover. It features a beautiful challah braiding segment (that unfortunately aired during a time in which Jews observing Passover can’t actually eat challah, but it is quite beautiful nonetheless), and features Charlie, played by Violet Tinnirello, who lik ..read more

Cuba Mitzvah MissionEnjoy the beauty and magic of Cuba and do a mitzvah at the same time. The Cuban Jewish community of about 600, mostly elderly, needs help due to a food shortage in the country. One-week trips to Havana, Trinidad, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos- $3885 per person. Includes a $500 donation to non-profit JEWISH CUBA CONNECTION to buy and ship food packages to families with children and seniors. Also includes group airfare from Miami, 5-star hotels, most meals, sightseeing, Cuban visa and all transportation. February trip escorted by Rabbi Elie Spitz, Rabbi emeritus, Congregation B’nai ..read more

The post 10/7 world cannot be business as usual. Since 10/7, Jews around the world have been under attack. Jewish unity, and pride in our peoplehood, are more important than ever. Even the slightest weakness on our part is a gift to our many enemies. I had hoped that in the post-10/7 world, that would be obvious to all of us. Alas, many in the “mainstream” Jewish institutions have slid right back to business as usual. While most of us are just as upset today as we were on 10/7, many “Jewish” institutions in America seem to want to hide behind routine, or worse, are afraid to be openly, proudly ..read more

(JTA illustration) My sister’s experience at Barnard has taught me to pick a college where I will feel safe It’s a Sunday evening at 7 p.m. and I am reviewing chemistry problems for my test the following morning. Even though my music is exceeding the dangerously high noise level, I hear my sister crying over the phone with my parents in another room.     My sister is a sophomore at Barnard College. These past two weeks she has called home a lot. Sometimes she tells us about the sign she saw of cartoon skunks with a star of David across their back, or the threat that read “Al-Qassam’s ..read more

Memories and Meaning A Google search led me to this explanation of Memorial Day in America: Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer. Many people attend parades, go to the beach or have cook-outs with friends and family. But at its heart, Memorial Day is a day when Americans reflect on the sacrifice of those who have given their lives in military service. I found page-upon-page of Memorial Day Barbecue recipes and many teasers for upcoming Memorial Day sales. I was not unfamiliar with these methods of commemoration because I am a child of America.     Growing up ..read more

By Andrew Silow-Carroll, JTA      Jewish novelist Paul Auster, whose “New York Trilogy” in the 1980s and ’90s vaulted him into the front ranks of American novelists, recently died at his home in Park Slope, Brooklyn.     The cause was lung cancer, according to a family friend     Raised in West Orange and nearby Maplewood, New Jersey—heavily Jewish suburbs of Newark that he depicted in the 2017 autobiographical novel “4 3 2 1” – Auster looked east to New York and became one its most iconic chroniclers. In the trilogy “City of Glass” (1985), “Ghosts” (1986) an ..read more

Hagit Pe’er, President of NA’AMAT Israel     NA’AMAT USA proudly announces the upcoming visit of Hagit Pe’er, President of NA’AMAT Israel, and Shirli Shavit, Director of the International Department, NA’AMAT Israel. Their journey, scheduled from May 3 to May 9, 2024, is set to foster connections, and celebrate the enduring partnership between NA’AMAT Israel and NA’AMAT USA.  They will also share insights, as to the changes in Israel since the Oct. 7th massacre. NA’AMAT is the largest women’s organization in Israel.     The itinerary for their trip promises an engaging ..read more

By Ron Kampeas, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, (JTA)     President Joe Biden will deliver a speech next week marking Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day as he faces a nation roiled by campus anti-Israel protests and a reported spike in antisemitism     Officials at the White House and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on Wednesday confirmed a report in Haaretz that Biden will be the keynote speaker on May 7, when the museum will mark the day, known in Hebrew as Yom HaShoah, with an annual ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Previous presidents of both major parties have also spoke at ..read more

Jewish Ladies Auxiliary, Santa Ana Daily Register, May 8, 1920 In our latest installment about Orange County’s first synagogue, Congregation B’nai Brith (not to be confused with the service organization), we see a Ladies’ Auxiliary being formed, which, according to the Santa Ana Daily Register, “evidenced a vim and enthusiasm which augers well for the new organization.” Today known as “Sisterhood” or “Womens’ Club,” this group was for the women of the synagogue to assist with whatever was needed in the new congregation. In addition, we learn that five months after B’nai Brith’s founding, the s ..read more