Donald H. Harrison

Natural Gas Adds to Israel’s International Acceptance

Israel’s significance as a Middle Eastern powerhouse has reached new levels with the help of two seminal events: the discovery of natural gas in Eastern Mediterranean waters and the success of the Abraham Accords between Israel and some Muslim Arab neighbors. Before, Israel was knocking on the door of the Arab and European countries; now, many of those countries have opened the door or soon will. Israel has what they want. (Steve Kramer)

Natural Gas Adds to Israel’s International Acceptance Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA

Parasha Shelach: Guard Against Negative Thoughts, Gossip

Calev says, “Let’s go,” but he was ignored when the people listened to and bought the groupthink, “…the people are big and strong, and the land is difficult. The people there are giants; we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them.” So much for Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not fear…” Calev was not the cognitive coach he may have hoped he’d be, since he could not help the People overcome their cognitive distortion that led them to want to return to Egypt. It takes independence of thought, being “FIT” (fundamentally independent thinking), to move forward to achieve optimal living. They held on to their slave mindset due to their cognitive distortions.  Through the Spies, Hashem tested our abilities to see through negative filters and properly, with wisdom, discernment and insight, see what was truly good and bad. The spies magnified the negative and minimized the positive – a common distortion that many of us are also guilty of doing. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Parasha Shelach: Guard Against Negative Thoughts, Gossip Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Ronald Perelman’s Unusual Practice

Perelman, the grandson of Litvak immigrants, was raised in a Conservative household, but became an Orthodox Jew in adulthood. He is a major financial supporter of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, and he is Sabbath observant and keeps kosher. In what unusual way has Perelman maintained his Jewish practices? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Ronald Perelman’s Unusual Practice Read More »

Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Book Review: ‘The Plot to Save America’

The book contains two main plots. Most startling and fascinating is the idea that followers of President Trump were able to turn the 2020 election results so that President Trump won a second four year term and changed America into a kind of Nazi country, doing things to the president’s enemies that equaled if not exceeded what the Nazis did. [Rabbi Israel Drazin]

Book Review: ‘The Plot to Save America’ Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., USA

Brad Garrett and Friends Delight in Bellflower

Garrett did a small set and was the MC.  He mostly riffed on the audience, and after “bageling” himself as a tall Jew did a fair amount of ethnic humor.  Ethnic humor generally makes me a little nervous because I don’t know how people will take it. Until I see if they’re ok with it, I’m not sure how to react.  He handled it well though, equally picking on everyone so no one group was singled out for offense.  The audience responded well and by their laughter seemed to enjoy it.   [Donald H. Harrison]

Brad Garrett and Friends Delight in Bellflower Read More »

California, Sandi Masori, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Rabbi Scott Meltzer Introduces B’nai Mitzvah to the Joy of Giving

Beginning in 2014, Rabbi and Mrs. Meltzer invested $100 per month in the Kiva organization until they had built up a credit of approximately $8,000. They pored over lists of worthy borrowers, who were vetted by Kiva’s microloan partners throughout the world.  The Meltzers then decided to which borrowers they wished to make interest-free repayable loans. [Donald H. Harrison]

Rabbi Scott Meltzer Introduces B’nai Mitzvah to the Joy of Giving Read More »

Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Parasha Behaalotecha: Stop Complaining, Be Grateful

Oy! There’s a lot of whining in this week’s Torah reading.

Come to think of it, it appears to be the basis of one of my mother’s oft-repeated sayings, “Keep complaining and I’ll really give you something to complain about.” We are world-class kvetchers, aren’t we? The food isn’t good enough, the seat at the table isn’t good enough, the hotel room isn’t the best, the politics, oy gevalt, the list goes on and on. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Parasha Behaalotecha: Stop Complaining, Be Grateful Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Residents, Employees and Donors Celebrate Seacrest Reunion Gala

Breathtaking,” “Memorable,” “One-of-a-Kind,” “We didn’t want to leave,” “One Big Family,” “Gorgeous” are the words that guests used to describe the Seacrest Foundation Women’s Auxiliary 44th Annual Gala on Sunday, June 12, 2022. Truly a Reunion Gala, this extraordinarily special event was the first gathering of the Seacrest community of supporters in over two years. Co-Chairs Cindy Bloch, Mary Epsten, Jean Gaylis, Jane Ottenstein, and Shari Schenk, along with over 230 guests, came together at a private residence and vineyard in Rancho Santa Fe to celebrate the strength and commitment of the Seacrest community of supporters whose generosity and kindness made it possible to get through the worst of the pandemic.

Residents, Employees and Donors Celebrate Seacrest Reunion Gala Read More »

Business & Finance, Lifestyles, San Diego County

In Shaky Coalition, Any MK May Press Demands

Israeli politics is living on the edge. Its widely diverse government ranges from left to right, with an Arab party. It squeaks from one crisis to the next. Mostly they’re about individual Knesset Members who seek to exploit the possibility or reality of their voting against a government measure for the sake of some aspect of their political ego. Arabs claim that the government is not doing enough for their community. Maybe they are pressing for a personal appointment, as head of a local authority. Jews threaten to vote against a government that gives in to Arab pressures. But maybe they are pressing for something more personal. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]

In Shaky Coalition, Any MK May Press Demands Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

‘Iron’ Locks Onto Mother-Daughter Relationships Under Stress

The past few years have shown us that life can be sad, hard, confusing, and disappointing, but they also revealed that facing hurdles head-on, can deliver greater understanding, compassion, and growth.  Thank you, Roustabouts Producer Phil Johnson and Director Jacole Kitchen for bravely bringing us Rona Monro’s tragic play, Iron. (Eva Trieger)

‘Iron’ Locks Onto Mother-Daughter Relationships Under Stress Read More »

Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Oh, the Mishaps that Greeted Queen Elizabeth II on Her San Diego Visit!

No sooner than Cleator took over the office as acting mayor, he broke the news to me that Queen Elizabeth II of England would be visiting San Diego, and that I, as communications director, would be in charge of the city’s press arrangements for the traveling and local media. [Donald H. Harrison]

Oh, the Mishaps that Greeted Queen Elizabeth II on Her San Diego Visit! Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

Screening American Jewish Diversity

Helene Meyer’s book Movie-Made Jews explores how films mirror and shape the diverse identities embraced by contemporary American Jewry.  Readers of the Jewish feminist magazine Lilith and the Jewish Women’s Archive Blog will be familiar with Meyers’ insightful movie reviews. Here on a bigger canvas, she analyzes documentaries and feature films that venture beyond common cinematic stereotypes of American Jews to dramatize their attitudes towards antisemitism, assimilation, feminism, gender orientation, the Holocaust, Jewish assertiveness, and race relations. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Screening American Jewish Diversity Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast