For Jewish refugees fleeing Europe during and after World War II, Shanghai became both a refuge and a place of uncertainty. But not every Jewish family experienced Shanghai in the same way. [Cailin Acosta]
Shanghai Jewish memories: 2 community members relate families’ stories Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
Marlee Matlin (August 24, 1965) is an American actress, author, and advocate. Having been deaf since 18 months of age, she is known for her acting and for her activism on behalf of deaf individuals in Hollywood and other industries. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Marlee Matlin Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
He spent his entire adult life on the move. He constantly stayed in hotels and boarding houses. He was doomed to wander. He was a nomad who made significant contributions to the history of foreign countries. He was a cosmopolitan in a world where nationalism was raging. But Jews do not always manage to be cosmopolitans. Antisemitism has a great penetrating ability. (Alex Gordon)
Jewish biography: Savielly Tartakower, rootless chess grandmaster Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Book of Samuel, which follows Judges, describes the emergence of kingship. Samuel begins in this atmosphere but does something much more complicated than simply saying, “Israel needs a king.” The book introduces Samuel, a prophet and judge; then Saul, Israel’s first king; and then David, Israel’s great kingThe crucial question becomes: Can human political power be exercised responsibly under God’s authority? That is precisely the question that interests Rabbi Silber. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Rabbi reviews another rabbi’s analysis of the biblical books of Samuel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Can I step forward boldly when my leadership is needed and step back confidently when someone else is better positioned to lead? [Betzy Lynch]
JCC, CJC boards gather to map a plan for Jewish community growth Read More »
Business & Finance, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Robert Solow (August 23, 1924 – December 21, 2023) was an American economist known for his studies of economic growth and the development of the Solow–Swan model, for which he won the 1987 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Robert Solow Read More »
Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The sender may craft the message, but the audience determines what that message means. Audiences interpret every message through the narratives they have already internalized, along with their existing beliefs, values, identities, and lived experiences. (Karen Klein)
Israel must relate better to its p.r. audience Read More »
Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jacques Lipchitz (August 22, 1891 – May 26, 1973) was a Lithuanian-born French-American Cubist sculptor. Lipchitz retained highly figurative and legible components in his work leading up to 1915–16, after which naturalist and descriptive elements were muted, dominated by a synthetic style of Crystal Cubism. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Jacques Lipschitz Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Anti-Defamation League of San Diego announces “Confronting Extremism: Oren Segal in Conversation with Father Brent Kruger” at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9, in Carmel Valley. [Cailin Acosta]
Jews, Catholics to dialogue on counter measures to hate Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The companion law is equally revealing: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain” (Deut. 25:4). The animal that labors is entitled to taste the fruit of its labor. The rabbis long ago noted the human parallel: a person capable of muzzling an ox is only a short step from muzzling his workers. History confirmed their suspicion. In Italy, vineyard owners once forced migrant laborers to wear muzzles so they could not eat the grapes they harvested. The Torah saw the danger centuries earlier. Cruelty, it turns out, is a transferable skill. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Parsha Ki Tetse: The Torah forbids cruelty to animals Read More »
animals, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
They’re showing up at the Jewish Federation’s Mosaic launch, or hosting massive Shabbat dinners, or even creating their own Jewish non-profits. The number-one indicator of a young adult’s engagement in Jewish life is Hillel. (Karen Parry)
Hillel is a major component in the decision to lead an active Jewish life Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsRosh Hashanah is traditionally associated with the creation of Adam, the first human being, on the sixth day of creation. Humanity was created immediately before Shabbat, and according to the Torah’s account, Adam’s first mistake came almost immediately. In that sense, the need for teshuvah is nearly as old as humanity itself. But what distinguishes a human being from an animal or from an angel? (Cailin Acosta)
Teshuvah is one skill that separates humans from animals Read More »
animals, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Ben-Zion Orgad (August 21, 1926- April 28, 2006) was an Israeli composer. His family emigrated to Mandate Palestine in 1933, where he started violin lessons in 1936. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Ben Zion Orgad Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The characters’ motivations are clear and performed by a sterling cast; what stood out most for me was the storyline woven into the music, at times lively yet appropriately moving in the more emotional moments. As some of the storyline’s important details relayed through music lyrics early in the show may be missed while accompanied by a full orchestra, I recommend reading a synopsis of the play prior to seeing it. [Douglas Friedman]
Tony-nominated musical ‘Water for Elephants’ at the San Diego Civic Theatre Read More »
animals, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast