Mayor Villaraigosa helps complete new Torah scroll

Published on February 20, 2013

He has been to Shabbat dinner, lit the menorah and he broke matzah with friends at a Passover seder. This Valentine’s Day, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined a club that even many Jews don’t belong to — he helped complete a new Torah scroll.

Month of Diamonds and Demons

Published on April 5, 2011

The birthstone for April is a diamond. In ancient Greek, the meaning of diamond is “unbreakable.” As the month begins, we look to the state of civil rights and intergroup relations in this city and are reminded that, while our bonds are strong, the diamond days of April hold many imperfections.

Israel’s diamond body expels member for attempt to smuggle blood stones

Published on December 28, 2010

Israel's Diamond Exchange says it has expelled a longtime member for attempting to smuggle illegal Zimbabwe blood diamonds into the country.

How Poor Jews Come to America, meaning my parents!

By Julia Bendis
Published on December 15, 2010

A kiss on the hand may be so Continental, but diamonds aren’t forever anymore

By Amy Klein
Published on January 11, 2007

When I turned 18 years old, my parents gave me a pair of diamond earrings. Later that same night at a comedy club, when a comedian on stage asked me what I got for my birthday, I showed him the diamonds.
"You must be Jewish, right?" he said.
I was -- still am, as a matter of fact. But I didn't know yet about Jews and diamonds. I'm not talking about the diamond industry, in which Israeli and Diaspora Jews are heavily involved, but in the purchase and wearing of diamonds.

Director Zwick excavates the bloody price of ‘Diamonds’

By Steven Rosen
Published on December 7, 2006

"Blood Diamond," among other subjects, focuses on how the worldwide demand for diamonds allowed violent, inhumane rebels in the West African nation of Sierra Leone to fund their atrocities through a smuggling scheme.

Antwerp’s Diamonds, Jews Are Forever

By Annette Bishop
Published on December 19, 2002

If you own a diamond, you can be 80 percent sure it's been to Antwerp, Belgium, at some point in its life. Perhaps it was graded there in the heart of ancient Europe -- or ground, polished, valued, bought or sold there.

‘Diamond’ Story Has Familiar Ring

By Keren Engelberg
Published on October 3, 2002

While the diamond business is historically a Jewish industry, this fact is implied, but never stated, in the film.

Find the Gems

By Rabbi Ed Feinstein
Published on September 27, 2001

There once was a man who could provide only potatoes for his family's subsistence. As the monotony and the poverty wore on, he prayed, and his prayers were answered. There fell into his hands a mysterious map to a magical Island of Diamonds.