Event organizers remarkably balanced an evening of much needed joy and community, while remaining present to and not diminishing the heaviness and heartbreak of the ongoing war in Israel. People swayed with their arms around each other during Havdalah and as we sang Hatikvah, the Israeli National Anthem. [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
Federation Fundraiser Mixes Sorrow and Joy Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann
Like my father, I was presented as a traitor to the homeland and an enemy of the USSR. Although my immigration to Israel was legal, I was honored with the title of “traitor to the homeland.” My father was labeled a “traitor to the homeland” in 1949, although he loved the USSR and socialism. I was labeled a “traitor to the fatherland” 30 years later. In that country, any Jew could be a traitor – one who loved the homeland, as my father did, and one who did not love it, as I did. [Alex Gordon]
The Melody of Zionism Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History
It was coincidence that two artisans who exhibited their work at Temple Emanu-El’s artisans festival on Sunday, Nov. 5, both had scientific backgrounds. Jonathan Rosenberg had worked prior to retirement as an immunologist at PharmaGen and at Becton, Dickinson (BD) during 16 years of his career. Anita Hettena was a biology professor, specializing in the teaching of anatomy, at San Diego City College. [Donald H. Harrison]
Science, Art, Religion Mix at Temple Emanu-El’s Artisans Festival Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Editor’s Note: This is the 7th chapter in Volume 3 of Editor Emeritus Donald H. Harrison’s 2022 trilogy, “Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5.” All three books as well as others written by Harrison may be purchased from Amazon.com. Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5, Volume 3, Exit 38 (Manchester Avenue): Temple Solel
Rabbi Alexis Berk: ‘Sacredness Is Everywhere’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Former State Assemblyman Howard Wayne died Thursday, Nov. 2 on his 75th birthday at Scripps Green Hospital after lapsing into a coma, his wife Mary Lundberg announced Saturday. Plans were being made for a private burial service and for a subsequent celebration of Wayne’s life and accomplishments, she said. [Donald H. Harrison]
Former Assemblyman Howard Wayne Dies on His 75th Birthday Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County
Former San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman declares that people should “loudly, quickly and publicly call out hate in all its forms.” She faults the San Diego Union-Tribune for remaining silent for a week about an antisemitic cartoon posted by Lallia Allali on her Facebook page that pictured a Jewish Star operating as a buzz saw to slice through the bodies of babies. [Donald H. Harrison]
Sahar followed in the footsteps of her dear older brother Dvir, whom she so highly looked upon, and drafted into the Iron Dome unit. She signed an extra two years in the army in order to be in a combat unit and become a commanding officer. After many challenges and roadblocks along the way, Sahar finally did it. She became a first (and later on second) lieutenant in the Israeli Defense Force. She was a mother to her soldiers, caring for their every last need, educating them with true values and morals, and training them to perform and succeed. [Tova Winick]
A Tribute to a Fallen IDF Hero Read More »
Israel, Obituaries & memorials
Holocaust survivor Bela Mark died Sunday, Oct. 29. Born January 6, 1923, in Spermezeu, Romania, a region of Transylvania, Bela lost his father soon after World War l. His twin brother, Daniel, passed away Oct. 23, 2019. [Sandra Scheller]
Bela Mark Holocaust Survivor, Dies at 100 Read More »
Holocaust, International, San Diego County, Sandra Scheller
SAN DIEGO – This collection of five graphic stories was released on Halloween, October 31, not coincidentally. Each fictional tale has elements of the supernatural, mostly intervening on behalf of Jews who otherwise would have been murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust. [Donald H. Harrison]
Supernatural Tales Embody Wishes of Holocaust Rescue Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish Fiction
Let me quickly give you a little plot summary… Kira (St. Clair) is one of the nine Greek Muses, and she decides to go down to earth (as a roller skating Australian) to give some inspiration to aspiring artist Sonny Malone (Hunter Brown). But there are rules about going to earth to inspire artists, and those rules include not helping to create art, not letting on you’re a muse, and definitely not falling in love with a mortal. [Sandi Masori]
‘Xanadu’ Brings Back Memories of the 1980s Read More »
Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The uncles then introduced themselves, complimented him on his charitable nature, and, to good-natured laughter, embraced.. A delightful memory, even for those of us who weren’t there. [Joel H. Cohen]
Welcome, Charity Volunteers Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Lifestyles, Trivia, Humor & Satire
A former Fulbright scholar who did his research in Istanbul, Prof. Robert Bond of Mira Costa College has a nuanced view about the relationship between Turkiye and Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
For years, the Adopt-A-Family Foundation has been helping Israeli victims of terror, mainly in the southern part of that country. According to the Foundation’s executive director, Carine Chitayat, the Foundation had been providing economic support and friendship to approximately 21 families, which expanded to 25 families following the Oct. 7 massacre by Hamas of approximately 1,400 persons. [Donald H. Harrison]
Adopt-A-Family Helping Israeli Victims of Terror Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, USA
Imagine that you are an amateur chemist who comes upon a way to manufacture wheat. Such an invention could end hunger worldwide, would it not? There would be celebrations for you, perhaps a Nobel Prize, and everywhere you’d go, you’d be the subject of popular acclaim. Or would you? [Donald H. Harrison]
Another Feingold Short Story Collection Satisfies the Imagination Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison