“I spent a long time trying to look like a girl. I spent a long time feeling awkward.” By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — Virtually every son wants to be “just like dad” and every dad wants his son to be “a chip off the old block.” But what if your “mini-me” is your
‘Orange Julius’ focuses on war, transgender issues Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — Beginning on the evening of Sunday, September 27, 2015 until a week later, many people will leave the security, warmth, beauty and permanence of their large, expensive, well appointed, nicely manicured homes. They will retreat into a simple, sometimes wobbly, unpretentious temporary shelter, covered by nothing more than
Why huts are going up in La Jolla, Del Mar Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, San Diego CountyJonas Salk: A Life by Charlotte DeCroes Jacobs, M.D., Oxford University Press, 2015 By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — For those of us who were children in the 1950’s, embedded in our memories of summertime fun, we also remember the horror of the dark shadow of poliomyelitis – polio – which hung over our days.
From the Jewish Library: ‘Jonas Salk’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — More than a million Jews left Russia and its Soviet empire after the latter collapsed. Most of them settled in Israel and, together with all of us, are now facing the prospect of forces of the aspiring new version of that empire under Vladimir Putin being stationed on Israel’s borders.
Israel’s new neighbors in Syria Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM–The present tension concerned with Syria, Cold warriors Vladimir and Barack against one another, with Bibi somewhere in the middle, brings back our memories of Jewish history, going back to when it began. We are not the only minority having to cope with more powerful others. In this neighborhood alone, the Druze,
Israel must maneuver between super powers Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastPope renews appeal for Mideast Christians (JNS.org) Pope Francis renewed his call for the international community to do more to stop the persecution of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East and Africa during his address to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Friday. “I must renew
Middle East Roundup: September 25, 2015 Read More »
Middle East
Dachau’s makeover: ex-Nazi death camp houses refugees amid Europe’s crisis (JNS.org) A portion of the former Nazi concentration camp Dachau is being used to house dozens of refugees, the German town’s mayor says. The concentration camp, which bears the infamous inscription “Arbeit Macht Frei”—“Work Will Set You Free”—has seen its former herb garden turned into
Never Again: Holocaust news of Sept. 25, 2015 Read More »
International, Jewish History
SAN DIEGO– Our license plate maven, Melanie Rubin, spotted this one. Pronounced “Cassia,” it’s a woman’s first name, but it also is Hebrew for a cassia tree, which produces an oil that the ancient Israelites used for anointing. (See Exodus 30:24)
Jewish – interest license plate: Kazia Read More »
Melanie Rubin, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Double click above for short video with breathtaking works of art
Jewish Genius Initiative Read More »
Travel and Food
“In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.”—Michelangelo By Susan Beilby Magee WASHINGTON, D.C.
‘David’ a symbol of human capacity for change Read More »
Travel and FoodLA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — The San Diego Center for Jewish Culture presents Jewish Jokes, starring Phil Johnson, written by Phil Johnson and Marni Freedman, and directed by David Ellenstein. The performance of this one-man show will be Monday, October 19, 2015, at 7:30 pm. In 1950’s Hollywood, at the height of the Communist
‘Jewish Jokes’ and a conflict of the soul Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Some of us grew up in an era (now vacuum-sealed by the vitriolic American political culture) when you could disagree with a president on this or that issue but still honor his character and disposition. I like President Obama. His articulate and reflective persona, his intelligence and wryness,
Why this rabbi admires President Obama Read More »
Middle East, USA