San Francisco State University President Leslie Wong, who has faced criticism of his administration’s response to anti-Semitic incidents at the school over the last years, has announced he is retiring. Wong, president since 2012, was traveling and unavailable to talk to J., but other figures connected to the university offered comments. “It’s been a challenging…
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Location: San Francisco
Bay Area
Leadership transition at Jewish Vocational Service
Abby Snay, CEO of Jewish Vocational Service, will be stepping down next year after nearly three decades of leading the San Francisco job-training…
Music
Ladino is the language, S.F. the setting for world premiere of grand Jewish oratorio
We generally associate the word “oratorio” with weighty musical works on Christian subjects by Baroque composers like J.S. Bach. But on Tuesday, April 30,…
Bay Area
In unusual move, Israeli airport security holds local Jewish activist leaving country
A board member of the Jewish-Arab equal rights group the Abraham Initiatives had a harrowing encounter with Israeli security officials this week while…
Passover
Why this S.F. man’s seder features a Pharaoh piñata
To say that retired San Francisco lawyer Al Rosen is a fan of Mexican folk art would be an understatement. The Inner Sunset home where he and his wife,…
Organic Epicure
Firefly chef Brad Levy’s family food tales — and his 2019 Passover menu
Firefly chef-owner Brad Levy is the first to say his Reform Jewish upbringing in the St. Louis suburb University City (known by residents as “Jew City”)…
Organic Epicure
Delfina chef Craig Stoll shares secret of his family’s nutty matzah balls
Delfina’s Passover menus have been around for nearly as long as the 20-year-old San Francisco Mission District restaurant itself. Chef-owner Craig Stoll…
Bay Area
Local Jewish institutions get $825,000 in federal security grants
A number of Bay Area and Sacramento synagogues and Jewish institutions have received federal grants of up to $150,000 to defend against terror attacks,…
Photography
Globe-trotting exhibit shows portraits of local survivors at S.F. Civic Center
When San Francisco resident Anne Marie Yellin, 90, opened the door to her visitor, it took her only a moment to switch into a fast-paced, accented German.…