Videos

‘One Voice’ is a feel good Jewish video

By Marcia Berneger SAN DIEGO  — My brother, Marc Gold, is a professional cinematographer who owns and operates 24KT Sound & Video. His favorite subjects have always been weddings, bar mitzvahs and theater productions. Then Covid arrived and these venues disappeared. Marc had to repurpose himself and find new ways to help create special videos

‘One Voice’ is a feel good Jewish video Read More »

Marcia Berneger, Music and Visual Arts, Videos

Beth Jacob issues rules for outdoor davening

– Beth Jacob Congregation responded quickly to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order on Monday, once again closing down indoor places of worship in response to the spiking coronavirus pandemic. The governor’s order also included fitness centers, offices for “non-critical sectors,” personal care services, malls and  hair salons and barbershops. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Beth Jacob issues rules for outdoor davening Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA, Videos

Oy vey, Columbus

Here is a 2018 story that appeared in The Times of Israel speculating that Christopher Columbus might have been a hidden Jew, forced to conceal his true identity because the year that he set sail on the voyage in which he would discover America–1492–was the same year that Jews were given a brutal choice by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain: Either convert to Christianity or be expelled from the country. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Oy vey, Columbus Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, USA, Videos

Zoom in to Beachtown

During Passover, 2018, The San Diego REP premiered Beachtown, a fun, interactive town hall-style theatrical experience. Inspired by Pittsburgh’s Beertown, Playwright-in-Residence Herb Siguenza filled Beachtown with a cast of funny, relatable characters like the hip, surfing mayor, Steve Novak (Jason Heil) and an outspoken right-wing “journalist” Damon Haynes (TJ Johnson). Interactive by nature, I can’t think of a better show to transition to today’s Zoom format.  Hungry for some live theatre, over 130 “Beachtonians” zoomed in to participate. [Eric George Tauber]

Zoom in to Beachtown Read More »

Eric George Tauber, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Videos

Jewish community urges combat against racism, bigotry

In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd and protest demonstrations across the country, rabbis and Jewish organizations are grappling with the issue of what Jews can do to combat racism and bigotry in the United States.  While there is general consensus that there is a need for action, it remains an open question just what kind of action would be appropriate.  Messages and news releases crossing my desk illustrate the contours of the debate so far. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish community urges combat against racism, bigotry Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA, Videos

Now boarding: JNF’s virtual tours of Israel

With the latest predictions suggesting Israel’s tourism industry could lose up to $1.16 billion due to the COVID-19 crisis, Jewish National Fund-USA (JNF-USA) is helping Israeli tour guides through an innovative new “virtual travel” initiative. A group of San Diegans embarked on this novel experience and returned with wide eyes and open hearts. Led by JNF-USA First Lady and San Diego Board Member Lauren Lizerbram, the group “traveled” from north to south and saw unique and captivating Israeli sites. [Press Release from Jewish National Fund]

Now boarding: JNF’s virtual tours of Israel Read More »

Middle East, San Diego County, Videos

San Diegan Carla Berg performs in concert Sunday

In the video above, Carla Sitton Berg and her daughter Liora Sitton Berg of San Diego perform a mother-daughter duet urging us “Don’t Dream It’s Over.”  Carla, wife of  Geoffrey Berg, a board officer of Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, will be among artists presenting a free online concert Sunday at 3 p.m for which you can register via this website. The concert is co-sponsored by Music on the Inside (MOTI) and Balanced Guitar (BG) “through their shared belief in community and the powerful role of music, especially now.” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

San Diegan Carla Berg performs in concert Sunday Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA, Videos

Havdalah from the porch of a celebrated cantor

Shavua tov! Shavua Tov!  A good week!  A good week! In Voorhees, New Jersey, Cantor Alisa Pomerantz-Boro and her daughter Rebecca have often led Havdalah services by Zoom from their porch since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic  This last Saturday night, May 16, was no different. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Havdalah from the porch of a celebrated cantor Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA, Videos

Some advice if you see a Nazi or a Klansman

So, imagine you are shopping, and into the store comes someone who is wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood, or a face mask with a swastika on it, as happened respectively at a Vons and a Food4Less outlet in Santee recently.  What should you do? [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Some advice if you see a Nazi or a Klansman Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Music and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Videos

ADL panel weighs coronavirus and anti-Semitism

In a webcast sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League on Thursday, panelists Deborah Lipstadt of Emory University and Jonathan Sarna of Brandeis University were asked if a cure for coronavirus were to be discovered by a Jew, would that reduce anti-Semitism? The two academicians, appearing alongside ADL’s president and CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, responded in the negative. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

ADL panel weighs coronavirus and anti-Semitism Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA, Videos

Biden’s 3-point program to protect religious institutions

Former Vice President Joe Biden, referencing the one-year anniversary of the murder of Lori Gilbert Kaye in a shooting attack on Chabad of Poway, on Tuesday announced a three-point program to protect religious communities. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Biden’s 3-point program to protect religious institutions Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Music and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA, Videos