Chuck Schumer
U.S. Senate Democrats have re-elected Chuck Schumer, currently the highest ranking Jew in the history of American politics, to be their leader when they become the minority party in the upcoming Trump administration.
Sara Funaro
Sara Funaro was elected the mayor of Florence, Italy, and has been serving in the position since June 2024. She is the first woman and first Jew to serve in the role. Funaro campaigned under the slogan “Florence in the plural – Many ideas, one city.” Her 89-page platform focused on fostering equality, security, sustainability and welfare, including proposals such as a minimum wage for city employees, keeping public daycares and elementary schools open until 6:30 [...]
Israel Cabinet Approves A 60-Day Cease-Fire With Hezbollah In Lebanon
The Israeli cabinet approved a deal for a 60-day cease-fire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, effective Nov. 27, signaling that more than a year of conflict would be suspended. The 10-1 vote by Israeli ministers came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embraced the proposal in a televised speech to the nation. U.S. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., who brokered the deal with France, said the cease-fire in Lebanon creates an opening to halt the fighting with [...]
Senate Approves Move To Add Jewish History Museum To Smithsonian
On Dec. 3, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bill to create a commission to study the possibility of incorporating the Weitzman National Museum of Jewish American History, located in Philadelphia, into the Smithsonian Institution. Having gained approval from the House of Representatives in September, the bill is now set to be signed into law by President Joe Biden. The bill is just the beginning of a yearslong process, but one that has gained urgency [...]
Since 2005, January 27 Marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day
In November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution to assign January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day that marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one of the most infamous and deadliest concentration camps of the Holocaust. The date serves as a day to honor the victims of Nazism and promote Holocaust education throughout the world. U.N. Resolution 60/7 strictly rejects any form of Holocaust denial, encourages member states to preserve sites [...]
Israeli Artist Zeev Engelmayer’s Project: Emotional Response To Oct. 7
Israeli artist Zeev Engelmayer’s “Daily Postcard” project lays bare his emotional response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack. Since then, Engelmayer has drawn more than 300 images — some evoking despair and isolation, longing and grief, yet the vibrant colors and childlike figures spark a measure of joy and beauty. “I decided to center on hope,” he said, “that something beautiful could be born of something so brutal.” His “Pastoral Kibbutz,” pictured, a folk-like [...]
Whew! Hurricane Season 2024 Gone At Last. But How About 2025?
Happy New Year. Welcome to 2025, and the revelation of vital statistics that describe the past year’s weather and what we can expect about the year ahead. Your Shofar editor, a true weather junkie, who notes temperature highs and lows, rainfall, snowfall, wind gusts and other climate facts of only passing interest to most of the western world, has listed as favorites the websites of the World Meteorological Organization and the National Hurricane Center. And [...]
Standing Room Only At Peconic Landing Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Rabbi Gadi led a standing-room-only gathering of Peconic Landing residents to usher in the first night of Hanukkah on Dec. 25. More than 50 members of the facility’s Jewish population plus other interested residents, and even members of our shul who had heard about the event, turned out to be a part of one of the first Hanukkah events in recent memory to be held at the facility. As a Christmas tree glistened in the [...]
Tikkun Olam Group Thanks Members And Friends For Their Generosity
Once again, our shul has shown its generous spirit by filling the big red barrel with toys and games and fun crafts for kids. All was delivered to CAST in time for gift-giving and fun times for kids at Christmas. CAST clients were most grateful, said Veronica Kaliski, chair of the Tikkun Olam committee at our shul, the group that responds to those in need on behalf of the shul. Among other initiatives, the group [...]
Book Circle Explores Drama Surrounding John Singer-Sargent’s Portraits Of The Wertheimer Family
The Book Circle will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., on Zoom to discuss Jean Strouse’s A Family Romance. The story captures the drama, mystery and intrigue surrounding John Singer Sargent’s 12 portraits of the Wertheimer family. Asher Wertheimer, an eminent London art dealer bequeathed the portraits to the National Gallery in London, a controversial gift that would see a family of Jews appearing alongside the Anglo-Saxon aristocrats painted by [...]
Get Social