Roustabout’s ‘Ripcord’ reveals retirement residence’s rivalry

Abby Binder (Linda Libby) and Marilyn Dunn (Eileen Bowman) occupy the same room at an assisted living facility. Abby is resentful as she has lived there longer and has often enjoyed a solo room. Her somewhat taciturn, biting humor and cynical sensibility is in direct opposition to the sunny, loquacious Marilyn, who wants to effuse about….well just about everything. She is sociable, enjoys hobbies and makes herself a popular resident with the staff and other seniors. And as much as she attempts to befriend Abby, Abby is hell bent on getting rid of her. (Eva Trieger)

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Eva Trieger, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Parsha Noach: Build your right ark

We cannot control every storm, but we can decide what we build to help us weather it. For some of us, that ark may be Shabbat, prayer, or a family dinner that creates space for connection. For others, it may be a friendship that offers honesty rather than flattery, a community that reinforces our values, or a daily commitment to kindness when kindness seems to be in short supply. (Michael Mantell, Ph.D)

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animals, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Philadelphia media ignores Jewish counterprotests to Oct. 7 celebration by anti-Israel forces

“The media, including The Inquirer, often cite the large number of deaths in Gaza without mentioning the genocidal Hamas’ refusal to disarm there,” they continued. “Antisemitism in this country and abroad swells while the media ignores the struggle of Israelis to maintain the only democratic Jewish state in the world.” (Bruce S. Ticker)

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Why do Jewish?

Reform and Conservative Jews may be the best audience for Why Do Jewish?, because they already have a “foot in the door” of Jewish life. They may attend services on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur; they may attend or host a Passover Seder; they may give Chanukah presents or light candles nightly; but being an active member of the Jewish community, identifying their Jewishness as one of their most important attributes – not. (Steve Kramer)

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer

Holiday pumpkins have been well appreciated by Sephardic Jews

Pumpkin has a rich and often overlooked history in Sephardic Jewish cuisine. Introduced to Europe from the Americas in the 16th century, it was quickly embraced by Jews, who incorporated the versatile vegetable into dishes across the Mediterranean and beyond. (Cailin Acosta)

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Violinist Katchatryan performs Katchaturian’s Violin Concerto admirably

Katchaturian’s Violin Concerto overflows with Armenian folk influence. After the first movement’s brief orchestral introduction, Katchatryan entered with the percussive excitement of the opening theme, then brought out the lyrical beauty of the second theme. The development included a lovely cadenza, written by the great Soviet-Jewish violinist, David Oistrakh, to whom the concerto was dedicated. After the return of the original themes in the recapitulation, the movement culminated in a virtuosic climax. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Gershwin and the LA Jewish Symphony shine at The Soraya

“So much of what we call the Great American Songbook—and even the sound of Broadway and Hollywood—was shaped by Jewish composers and lyricists whose families had come to this country looking for opportunity and belonging,” Green observed. [Karen Klein]

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California, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Apatow interviews other comedians about their craft

Apatow, known for films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, interviews a range of performers, including Jerry Seinfeld, Mel Brooks, Steve Martin, Harold Ramis, Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Amy Schumer and Seth Rogen. The conversations span generations and different styles of comedy, from stand-up and television to film and screenwriting. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

The mystery of an old statuette

“I recently discovered that I am about twenty-five percent Sephardic Jewish,” she said. “During World War II, that could have been enough to send me to a ghetto or a death camp. Today, it could make me eligible to apply for Israeli citizenship.” {Yakov Nayerman}

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International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA, Yakov Nayerman