Santa Monica, California, United States

0 Politics Communities

Wide-open Los Angeles mayoral race could hinge on support from Jewish voters

Gabby Deutch in Jewish Insider · 1 Jun

The Los Angeles mayoral race is heating up with significant focus on the potential impact of Jewish voters.

0 Communities Ethics

'I didn't want to let go of her; I loved her to death'

Jon Kalish in Forward · 29 May

Lisa Fliegel, a trauma therapist who dedicated her life to tikun olam, was laid to rest this past week.

0 Communities History

Pacific Palisades Jews, displaced by fire, reopen their synagogue as part of returning home

Grace Gilson in JTA · 15 May

Congregants of Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades are returning to their synagogue 16 months after devastating fires displaced them.

0 Education Communities

What grew from the fire

eJewishPhilanthropy · 15 May

In the aftermath of the January 2025 Palisades Fire, the Palisades Jewish Early Childhood Center demonstrated resilience and leadership in rebuilding and expanding Jewish community life.

0 Television/Film Culture

We’re Obsessed With These Behind the Scenes Photos From ‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 3

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 13 May

The article excitedly shares behind-the-scenes glimpses from the upcoming season three of the popular series "Nobody Wants This," a show centered on the interfaith relationship between an agnostic podcast host, Joanne, and an LA-based rabbi, Noah.

0 History Culture

I come from a long line of Jewish Bundists. Now, Molly Crabapple is part of our family.

Ruby Elliott Zuckerman in Forward · 25 Apr

Ruby Elliott Zuckerman reflects on her family's Jewish Bundist heritage, while sharing insights about Molly Crabapple’s engagement with this history in her book, "Here Where We Live Is Our Country: The Story of the Jewish Bund."

0 Culture Antisemitism

Zibby Owens and The Braid Stage ‘On Being Jewish’

Hilary Danailova in Hadassah · 14 Apr

Zibby Owens, author and publisher, initiated a Jewish story collection in response to the October 7 Hamas massacre and the global antisemitism spike.

0 Holidays Communities

A Lego on the seder plate: Temple Israel calls for new ritual object after attack

Grace Gilson in JTA · 1 Apr

Following a traumatic attack on Temple Israel in suburban Detroit, where an assailant attempted to drive a bomb-laden vehicle into the synagogue, the congregation is initiating a new tradition for the Passover seder: placing a single Lego block on the seder plate.

0 Communities Politics

With the last hostage released, is American Jewish unity over?

Rob Eshman in Forward · 31 Jan

The release and return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza has brought a poignant end to a period of unity among American Jews, despite their varied views on Israel's military actions.

0 Culture Politics

As Habonim Dror camps open space for anti-Zionist views, some families push back

Sivan Barda in JTA · 26 Jan

As part of an evolving approach to fostering inclusiveness and addressing complex political realities, Habonim Dror North America—a historically Zionist youth movement—introduced a new principle welcoming non-Zionist and anti-Zionist perspectives in 2025.

0 Music Politics

Bob Dylan warned us about guys like Stephen Miller

Seth Rogovoy in Forward · 8 Jan

Seth Rogovoy explores the uncanny resonance between Bob Dylan's 1983 album "Infidels" and contemporary political figures like Stephen Miller.

0 Communities Jewish Law

'From a shtetl to a diaspora’: After the fire, a Palisades synagogue forges through a year in exile

Louis Keene in Forward · 7 Jan

Kehillat Israel, a synagogue in Pacific Palisades, remains resilient one year after a devastating fire destroyed homes and dispersed its community.

0 Culture Antisemitism

A Hanukkah menorah in the window for eight days? Try an Israeli flag for two years

Rob Eshman in Forward · 9 Dec 2025

In response to rising antisemitism, Israeli citizen Elon Rubin prominently displayed an Israeli flag in the window of his Santa Monica bike shop after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

0 Antisemitism Communities

Los Angeles has a Jewish problem.

Joshua Hoffman in Future of Jewish · 3 Sep 2025

Los Angeles faces a worrying rise in antisemitic violence, characterized by both isolated incidents and broader patterns of attacks against Jews, which have intensified since October 2023.

0 Music Culture

Tom Lehrer Gave Us One of the Best Jewish Holiday Songs, ‘Hanukkah in Santa Monica’

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 29 Jul 2025

Tom Lehrer, who recently passed away at age 97, left an indelible mark on Jewish music with his song "Hanukkah in Santa Monica."

0 Music Culture

Tom Lehrer, satirist who sang about ‘Hanukkah in Santa Monica,’ dies at 97

Philissa Cramer in JTA · 28 Jul 2025

Tom Lehrer, a satirist and mathematician, passed away at 97, leaving a legacy that includes the humor-filled song "(I'm Spending) Hanukkah in Santa Monica."

0 Television/Film Culture

Adam Brody, Adrien Brody nab best actor Critics Choice awards for portraying Jewish characters

Philissa Cramer in Forward · 9 Feb 2025

Adam Brody and Adrien Brody both won Critics Choice Awards for their portrayals of Jewish characters, highlighting the significance of Jewish representation in media.

0 Literature Politics

He was a Jewish leftist like Sandy Koufax — remembering Howard Zinn

Jim Sullivan in Forward · 25 Jan 2025

Howard Zinn, a noted historian and activist, is remembered fifteen years after his death for his impactful work, especially his controversial book "A People's History of the United States."

0 History Culture

The LA fires torched my grandfather Arnold Schoenberg's legacy — and the site of a rich Jewish emigre history

E. Randol Schoenberg in Forward · 21 Jan 2025

E. Randol Schoenberg reflects on the devastating impact of the Palisades fire that destroyed significant musical archives and personal possessions, including those tied to his grandfather, Arnold Schoenberg, a seminal Jewish composer who fled Nazi Germany for Los Angeles.

0 Communities Culture

How a new ketubah helped one couple restart after the LA fire

Jodi Rudoren in Forward · 17 Jan 2025

After their Los Angeles home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire, Dave and Jen Miner faced profound loss, including their cherished ketubah from their 1994 wedding.

0 Communities Culture

‘Just things’ — like what my LA neighbors have lost — are what makes houses into Jewish homes

Rachel Steinhardt in Forward · 12 Jan 2025

In the wake of the devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, Rachel Steinhardt reflects on the intense emotional significance of Jewish objects in transforming a house into a home.

0 Communities Ethics

Jewish community in Los Angeles unites amid devastating fires

Ayala Or-El in Jewish Insider · 9 Jan 2025

In response to devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles, the Jewish community has shown remarkable unity and resilience.

0 Music Culture

This Cover of Tom Lehrer’s ‘Hanukkah in Santa Monica’ Is Jazzy and Wonderful

Lior Zaltzman in Kveller · 26 Dec 2024

Deborah Silver's jazzy rendition of Tom Lehrer's classic, "Hanukkah in Santa Monica," brings vibrant energy to the beloved satirical tune.

0 Television/Film Culture

Jewish Life Stories: Jim Abrahams, the filmmaker who co-piloted ‘Airplane!’ into comedy history, dies at 80

Andrew Silow-Carroll in JTA · 4 Dec 2024

Jim Abrahams, renowned Jewish filmmaker and member of the comedy trio ZAZ, died at 80 in Santa Monica.

0 Politics Communities

Who Won the Jewish Vote?

Armin Rosen in Tablet · 14 Nov 2024

The article explores the complexities of analyzing the Jewish vote in the U.S. elections, focusing on discrepancies between various polls and examining shifts in voting patterns among Jewish communities across the country, particularly in New York City.

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