(Column 16, February 7, 2011)
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Spotlight: Debra Kamin
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The former editor of San Diego Jewish Journal, Debra Kamin, is preparing to make aliyah to Israel, where she will become a member of the staff of the Jerusalem Post. She writes: “I’ve always wanted to live in Israel, and I’m so excited that I can further my career while doing so. I left the Jewish Journal in Sept. 2008 to attend graduate school at the University of Chicago, where I earned my master’s degree in English literature. I graduated in June 2009 and wrote my master’s thesis on the literature of the post-9/11 period. After graduating, I briefly returned to San Diego before moving to New York City in October 2009 to work as an editorial assistant on the syndication desk of The New York Times. … My team and I edit every article for length, tone and style … After more than a year at the Times I am ready for a new challenge … . I have just accepted the position of breaking news editor for the Internet desk of the Jerusalem Post. I will be located at the jpost.com offices in Tel Aviv.. I’m incredibly excited for this new adventure, and also to finally perfect my Hebrew.” Our great big, hearty “Mazal tov!” follows her across the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.
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Jewish Organizations
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Looking to be well informed on the Middle East? Get out your calendars. Commentator David Horowitz will speak at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9, at Congregation Beth Am on the battles on college campuses all over the country about the Middle East … American-born, Israeli basketball star Tal Brody, who serves as a goodwill ambassador, will explore the topic “Israel is on the map more than ever” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16, at the Lawrence Family JCC…. Radio commentator Michael Medved will speak Monday evening, Feb 21 at Beth Jacob Congregation on how the crisis in Egypt affects Israel… Steven Spiegel, UCLA political scientist, discusses U.S.-Israel relations since Barack Obama and Binyamin Netanyahu became their country’s leaders, at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 28., at Congregation Beth Israel.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue plans to transform its Cohen Social Hall into “an elegant Casbah” for its “Moroccan Mystique” annual fundraising dinner, with tickets going for $180 per person. There will be henna artists, Middle Eastern music, Moroccan food, and, of course, belly dancers. 619 697-6001.
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Congregation B’nai Tikvah has set up a group for Jewish teens in the North County, with the next meeting planned Wednesday evening, Feb. 16. Cantor Larry Kornit leads the group which is free and open to all teens regardless of affiliation. “Our teens represent the best of our future and it is our responsibility to give them not only the educational skills, but also the social and spiritual skills to be well-rounded individuals,” he says. 760-941-9858
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Jews in the General Community
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Israeli artist Nira Pereg, known for her unusual videos, will serve as UCSD’s “innovator in residence” March 234-June 30. A press release from ArtPower at UCSD states: “Alongside her students Nira will explore exterior and interior spaces as places to work in, as well as places of presentation. Students will investigate different ways of relating to private and public space – where the private will be explored in public locations and vice versa. Students will be a tourist in their own homes, and natives in a foreign place, and will produce both group work and individual projects.”
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Sol Price, founder of FedMart and Price Club, will be posthumously honored as History Maker of the Year by the San Diego History Center. “In addition to his seminal work in the business world, Mr. Price gave his time, energy and financial resources to the community of San Diego through his many charitable endeavors,” says the newsletter of the History Center, known formerly as the San Diego Historical Society. On March 26, the Historical Center will hold a “Costco-themed event” at the Town and Country Resort in Price’s honor, with tickets beginning at $75 per person.
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Three San Diegans who volunteered in Haiti after its terrible earthquake – Jan Kass, Kathy Marsh and Dr. David Marsh – will share their experiences at a meeting of Congregation Beth Israel’s Men;s Club at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 16, at the congregation. 858-535-1111, Ext. 3800.
Andy Friedenberg, director of the Cinema Society of San Diego, will provide his analysis and predictions for Oscars Night at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 17, at Congregation Beth Israel. … Among the nominees for best actress is Israel-born Natalie Portman, for her role in The Black Swan.
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Rocky Smolin, the bassist for the Joe Satz trio, says he’s excited about the group’s gig at Delicias Restaurant in Rancho Santa Fe, on Saturday evening, Feb. 26. Their guest vocalist will be Suzie Lotzof, whom he describes as being “in the best tradition of torch singers like Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald.”
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Rep. Susan Davis (D-California) opened new offices at 2700 Adams Avenue over the weekend. She said it is close to both Highways 163 and 805, and also can be reached by several bus lines. This makes it more convenient than her previous district office in City Heights, she says.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World