By Gary Rotto SAN DIEGO — Summer vacations. I remember road trips as a kid with my folks, driving south from New Jersey to Gettysburg, Williamsburg and Fredericksburg. And another time, we drove through New England up to Canada, eventually to Montreal and Quebec City. I’ve continued that tradition with my daughter. This year, we ventured […]
Finding a Shabbat service in the great ‘out there’ Read More »
Travel and Food
By Donald H. Harrison MODESTO, California—A plaza located where five streets intersect boasts a life-size sculpture of a teenage girl seated on the side of a 1957 Chevrolet and a high school-aged boy leaning against it as they talk. It’s an ode to the movie American Graffiti by one of Modesto’s most famous former
A monument to a bygone time Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonJourney to Heaven: Exploring Jewish Views of the Afterlife by Leila Leah Bronner, ISBN 978-965-524-047-4 ©2011, $25.95, p. 184 plus notes and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Does Judaism teach the belief in Heaven or Hell? How about resurrection? Transmigration? An afterlife? The answers depend on whom you ask the questions, and
Which Jews believe in heaven? Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
By Cynthia Citron Cynthia Citron PACIFIC PALISADES, California — In March 2009 a theater company in Malibu mounted a run of David Lindsay-Abaire’s play Rabbit Hole, which chronicles the effects of the death of a four-year-old on the rest of his family. While it was a fine production overall, this is what I wrote about
New ‘Rabbit Hole’ production eases pain of previous one Read More »
Cynthia CitronBy Ira Sharkansky Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Israel is best known for its chronic problems with Arab neighbors. And now there are demands from middle- and upper-middle income young Israelis about the cost of living. Yet what is arguably the country’s most serious problem is somewhat under the surface as seen by overseas observers, i.e.,
Israel ponders what to do with unproductive Haredim Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
By Rabbi Ben Kamin Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — When Katrina all but drowned New Orleans starting six years this very day, media pundits and animated politicians followed with serious criticism of the federal and state responses and glaring lack of preparedness. A great deal of focus fell upon President George W. Bush’s evident
Officials were right to be cautious about Hurricane Irene Read More »
USA
By Lynne Thrope LA JOLLA, California –It came at sunset. A sense of awe long past due. It crept up so suddenly as if a deity were gifting me with a spectacular view that for too long had been taken for granted. It is true that ocean lovers from all parts come to this place
Eddie V’s makes an elegant splash in La Jolla Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Lynne Thrope Your dining adventure can begin with a taste of Tartare, Sashimi, Carpaccio, or one of five fantastic salads. The classic Caesar rivals the Apple Salad puckered with green beans and candied walnuts drenched in a ginger orange vinaigrette. If Tartare is your thing, you can’t do better than Eddie’s V’s version marinated
Eddie V’s makes an elegant splash in La Jolla Read More »
Travel and Food
By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D. Natasha Josefowitz LA JOLLA, California — Most of us function from our left brains: logical and linear. We think through problems, make lists of pros and cons, examine alternatives, and weigh the possible consequences. Very often this process does not provide us with satisfactory answers. So we toss and turn at
Letting your unconscious do the work Read More »
Natasha Josefowitz, Science, Medicine, & EducationSAN DIEGO—City Councilwoman Marti Emerald, lone member of the Jewish community now serving on the San Diego City Council, has announced her plan to seek re-election in the new ninth district. The council districts had been increased from eight to nine , resulting in the territory of Emerald’s seventh district being cut nearly in half.
Emerald to seek election in SD’s new 9th council district Read More »
San Diego CountyEditor’s Note: The president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, Steven J. Morris, on Friday sent out the following message to the community regarding renewed violence along Israel’s borders with Gaza and Egypt. Sha’ar Hanegev, the partnership region of the San Diego Federation, lies alongside Gaza in Israel’s northern
Jewish Federations promptly help victims of rocket attacks from Gaza Read More »
Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SACRAMENTO—I had worked in the building as a news reporter during the 1960s and 1970s, spanning the gubernatorial administrations of Ronald Reagan and Jerry Brown. Shuttling from hearings to news conferences to floor debates, and then back to my desk at the Associated Press, and later at the Capitol bureau
Touring the legislative halls? A Capitol idea! Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –The last few verses of the traditional Birkat Ha-mazon (Grace after Meals), consisting of verses from the book of Psalms and Jeremiah, are usually sung with a cheerful and uplifting melody. One verse, however, is not sung out loud by some participants. Among the other verses praising God is
God’s blessings must be earned Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Sheryl Rowling Sheryl Rowling SAN DIEGO –Dear Money Maven: The unprecedented debt ceiling issue and recent market volatility are making me schvitz with worry. Should I move to cash or change my investment strategy to protect against a possible market slide? Fearfully, Fermisht Dear Fermisht: During these tumultuous times (and always), it is important
Money Maven: Investing in uncertain times Read More »
Sheryl Rowling, Travel and Food