In 1941, he published The Last Frontier, a novel about the fate of the Cheyenne Indian tribe. In 1943, he published Citizen Tom Paine, and in 1944, Freedom Road, a novel about the Reconstruction period after the Civil War in the United States. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Howard Melvin Fast, novelist Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Director Samuel Young has done an outstanding job with this group of very talented actors. The story flows smoothly, following a timeline from Shakespeare’s passing to the arduous task of locating and compiling a bound book of all of his plays. [Eva Trieger]
Love’s labors found and bound Read More »
Eva Trieger, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Here, in alphabetical order, is more commentary by Jewish individuals and organizations about the current war pitting Iran against the combined forces of the United States and Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
More Jewish commentary about the Iran war Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Delightful! Adorable! Ear-wormy! Those are the first thoughts that come to mind when I think about Cygnet’s new musical Somewhere Over the Border. The world premiere written by Brian Quijada and directed by Carlos Mendoza is very loosely based on The Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum. [Sandi Masori]
‘Somewhere Over the Border’ is an immigrant’s Wizard of Oz story Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Hadassah is her true soul’s name, a desert bloom,
But “Esther” is the mask for her mission she must assume.
Mordechai stands watchful at the gate,
While Haman weaves a shroud of silvered hate. … [Barrett Holman Leak]
A Hidden Star – A Poetic Megillah Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Beyond the surface-level parody, the Spiel functions as a sophisticated tool for the mastery of terror. By transforming a genocidal antagonist—whether the biblical Haman or his modern iterations—into a buffoonish, pitiable caricature, the community performs a collective “reclamation of power.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
The Purim Spiel: An explanation and an example Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
While there is no local threat, global events can have ripple effects. As Purim celebrations and other gatherings approach, we encourage you to participate fully, and to practice heightened situational awareness and adherence to all security protocols. [Press Release)
Jewish Federation urges ‘situational awareness’ at Purim events Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Press Release, San Diego County, USA
I woke up this morning feeling more like it was Groundhog Day than nearly Purim. My phone rang out with red alert sirens announcing missiles sent across Israel and the region from Iran. It felt painfully familiar, as if the past were not past at all, but alive in our present. [Betzy Lynch]
War with Iran resembles a spiral in time Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAHere, alphabetized by sender, are some of the Jewish reactions sent to San Diego Jewish World following the bombing of Iran and the killing of its top leaders by the United States and Israel: [Donald H. Harrison]
Reactions to joint Israel-U.S. bombing of Iran, killing of the ayatollah Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Purim is celebrated by exchanging mishloach manot, donating to charity, eating a festive meal, and listening to the reading of the Megillah. Other traditions include wearing costumes, parades, drinking wine, and eating hamantaschen. So many fun ways to celebrate as a community that our ancestors survived. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Tis the season for hamantaschen, megillah readings, and mishloach manot Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAThe episode’s most profound utility lay not in what it celebrated, but in the mirrors it held up to our own communal failures. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Review and reaction: Black and Jewish America, Part 4 Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Extending negotiations is not the way. When the Iranians face hard decisions, they demur and turn to continued negotiation. This is a time-wasting procedure which allows Iran to boost its offensive and defensive capabilities. [Steve Kramer]
Opinion: U.S. should stop dithering with Iran Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
This edition presents Sacks’ own modern English translation of the Torah, a compiled commentary drawn primarily from his Covenant & Conversation series, along with books, lectures, and other writings—with the sections for Shemot through Bo newly adapted for this project. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
A new standard Jewish Bible or a noble compromise? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
She boards the plane like anyone else, and suddenly she’s in the middle of a nightmare. Now, as a retired cultural anthropologist and professor emerita from the University of Arizona, she brings this incredible mix of lived experience and scholarly eye to the story. She doesn’t just recount what happened—she digs into how it messed with her head and heart for decades. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Hostage’ is a first-hand account of a hijacking Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA