Theodore Roosevelt and the Jews
This year’s Presidents Day Treat presents a brief overview of the positive interactions of the 26th president and the Jewish people. The record of President Theodore Roosevelt’s…
B’shalach 5763-2003
"Bringing G-d Home" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This coming week's parasha, parashat B'shalach, contains many historic and dramatic moments. The narrative describes the departure of the…
B’shalach 5782-2022
“Bringing G-d Home” (updated and revised from B’shalach 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat B’shalach, contains many historic and dramatic moments. The…
Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear
Cute and cuddly, teddy bears today are made in all materials and styles. But, the original teddy bear design was actually a piece of velvet sewn into the shape of a bear with shoe button…
The Jewish Connection to the March of Dimes
On January 3, 1938, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was officially incorporated. The organization, which was run by Basil…
Musical Politicians in Victoria, B.C.
Lumley and Selim Franklin moved to Victoria, British Columbia, in 1858, during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. The Jewish community was just starting to grow, and the first synagogue, Temple…
Evian!
Before Evian became a popular brand of natural spring water, the French resort of Evian was host to an international conference to address the mounting crisis of Jews seeking to escape…
A Day that will Live in Infamy
In one of the 20th century's most memorable and impactful speeches, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, “A day that will live in infamy,” due to the deadly…
The Nuremberg Trials
On October 16, 1946, ten leaders of the Nazi party were executed after the first of the twelve Nuremberg Trials sentenced them to death. The trials of over 100 defendants took place in…
Sensitivity to Those with Disabilities
Isaac was vision-impaired, Jacob walked with a limp and Moses had a speech impediment, not to mention actress Marlee Matlin (hearing impaired), Stevie Wonder (vision impaired) and…