A bissel this, a bissel that–San Diego Jewish news and chatter

Donald H. Harrison

{Column 11, January 20, 2011}

 By Donald H. Harrison

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Jewish Organizations
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Tammy Gillies has been appointed as the new Regional Director for the San Diego office of the Anti-Defamation League, succeeding Morris Casuto. She had served as the organization’s development director since 2007.    “Tammy has a history of selfless dedication and passion for public service to both the Jewish and wider community,” said Mark Dillon, ADL San Diego regional board chair.  “She is an excellent choice to lead ADL.  I look forward to working with her as the ADL continues its opposition to hate and intolerance as it increases the opportunities for civil discourse in San Diego.” … One of the earliest events in Gillies’ administration will be a presentation on “The Practice of ‘Never Again’ from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 31, at the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego. Monica Bauer explains that this conference will feature ADL’s multi-media Holocaust curriculum Echoes and Reflections, a multi-disciplinary tool supporting national and California state standards. The keynote address will be delivered by Rachel Korazim, Ph.D. former Academic Director, Distance Learning Programs, Jewish Agency for Israel. The conference also features a luncheon and panel presentation with Holocaust Survivors as well as speakers from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and USC’s Shoah Foundation Institute.

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Beth Jacob Congregation presents Rabbi Yoseph Gavriel Bechhofer and his wife, Dr. Shani Bechhofer, in a scholar-in-residence weekend Jan. 21-22.  At Friday evening Shabbat services, approximately at 8 p.m., their topic will be “Chassidim and Misnagdim and their approach to God.” On Saturday, Jan 22, the rabbi will discuss “Halacha and Aggada in end of life issues” approximately 12 p.m.  At 3:30 p.m. the Bechhofers will lead separate discussions on gender roles in Judaism.   That evening, at 8 p.m., at a meleva malka, the scholars will wrap up the weekend by leading a joint discussion over a dinner of Israeli cuisine. More information is available from Beth Jacob at 619-287-9890

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Congregation Beth Israel is planning an environmental day, with demonstrations of “green” cooking and gardening among other activities.  Here’s the story in case you missed it.

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Jewish Family Service is recruiting 15 Jewish men to serve as “big pals” to Jewish boys without father figures in their lives.  Information meetings about the program — which requires a commitment of only a few hours a month– will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26, at the JFS Turk Family Center, 8804 Balboa Ave., and at 6:30 p.m.,  Monday, January 31, at Temple Solel. More information is available from JFS at (858) 637-3371. … For the other side of the age continuum, JFS is recruiting 75 volunteer drivers to drive older adults to medical appointments, grocery shopping or on lunch dates through its “On the Go” program.  Interested parties may attend any one of the Thursday training sessions Jan. 27, Feb. 7, Feb. 23, March 8, and March 34 at the Turk Family Center, 8804 Balboa Ave.  Information at (858) 637-3051.
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Jews in the general community
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Sy Brenner, who as an American POW in Germany during World War II had to hide his Jewish identity, is now lecturing to veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder about how he has coped with his war memories. During a recent  KGTV (Channel 10) interview, he said talking about the memories can be therapeutic.

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Yup, for those of you who were wondering, that was me on the CW, Channel 6, and on KNSD, Channel 7  wearing balloons on my tennis shoes at the convocation at Grossmont College, where I teach journalism.  The convocation–at which administrators fired us up to be ready for the start of the Spring semester next week– was held on Monday in the gymnasium of the college.  Not wanting us to mess up the hard wood floor with our street shoes, administrators urged us to wear slippers or tennis shoes, with prizes given for the most daring, creative, footwear.   My daughter, Sandi Masori of Balloon Utopia, fashioned a balloon TV reporter (with microphone) and a newspaper reporter (with pad and pencil) to fit above my shoes against my shins.  Her design was declared the most creative, winning a $50 gift certificate to Chevy’s or El Torito restaurants.  Yes, I presented  it to Madame Balloon Sculptor.
 
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Lobbyist Jim Lantry says that he is changing the name of his firm from California Legislative Advocates to “Creative Legislative Solutions.”  He explains that “the new name better reflects our legislative activities across the country as well as our advocacy at the various levels of government.”  

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A movie featuring the art of Marc Chagall, preceded by snacks and followed by some French cuisine, are on tap at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18 at the Oceanside Museum of Art.   Tickets for visitors are $39, for members $29.  More information at (760) 435-3721.

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Irv Bressel says he likes the idea that the Department of Motor Vehicles plans to screen elderly drivers more carefully to determine if they can drive safely.  “As a volunteer at Scripps Clinic and as a greeter at Congregation Beth El, I am aware of elderly drivers who may be a danger to themselves and the community,” he writes.

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Laura Simon, 105, has a busy day planned for her on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.   She’s scheduled to be a guest on the KPBS radio show “These Days” from 9:20 a.m. to 10 a.m.   That evening, she’ll be driven to the Redding Town Square Cinema in the Clairemont area to attend the screening of the documentary in which she appears, “Over 90… and Loving It.”  Afterwards she’ll participate in a panel.  Won’t that be a long day for her?  Will she take a nap?   “I don’t usually,” she responds.

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And Finally….
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Larry Gorfine forwarded to us  IlexBeller-Schteitale (on Power Point) showing the art of Ilex Beller, whose works depicted Jewish shtetls.  Click on it and enjoy.

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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World