Dear Dawn: My uncle recently had his DNA tested, and it turns out that we are from Jewish lineage. I had always wondered because my mother’s great-grandfather’s last name was Jewish. I’m trying to find out more about that branch of my family. None of my relatives know anything about Judaism; all of them are…
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Jewish Life
Obituaries
Deaths for the week of Jan. 17-23, 2021
Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel. This page will be updated throughout the week. Submit an obituary here. Peter…
Astrolojew
Month of Shevat: You’ll get by with a little help from your friends
Shevat 5781 Jan. 14-Feb. 11, 2021 The doorway to the Aquarian Age swung open at the Jupiter/Tzedek conjunction to Saturn/Shabbatai on Tekufah Tevet, the…
Organic Epicure
Director of food incubator for women of color will stick around a little longer
2020 was supposed to be Caleb Zigas’ last year as executive director of La Cocina, the San Francisco-based food incubator that helps immigrants and women…
U.S.
Q&A: Meet a rabbi deployed to the US Capitol with the National Guard
As Jordan Hersh watched on TV as supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol building Jan. 6, he had a thought unique to most American…
Torah
Playing God’s name game can show us a brighter future
The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. Vaera Exodus 6:2-9:35 At the end of the previous…
Film
East Bay Jewish film fest serves up food films to up your cravings
OK, so the vaccine is now making its way through our ranks, but we still have to protect ourselves from the virus for who knows how long. You’re all…
Act Two
I think like a journalist, and maybe that’s my problem
Sixteen years after I retired as senior editor, I’m back as a regular J. columnist. It’s a homecoming of sorts, and I know all too well what it’s like to…
Recipe
Warm-me-up beverages from Israel to Argentina
My favorite technique for warming up from a winter chill is to sip a hot beverage. Here are three that were inspired by drinks I’ve had in my travels. It…