Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Jewish Political Briefing: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her country’s failure to deliver an agreed amount of water to Texas is not because of ill will, but because of “the amount of water there is and the amount of water that can be taken by pipeline.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Musicians of Diverse Ethnic Backgrounds Perform Superbly at SDSO Concert

The San Diego Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Singapore-born guest conductor,  Kahchun Wong, opened the December 7 concert with a work, subito con forza (suddenly with force), by the Chinese composer,  Unsuk Chin, inspired by Beethoven’s 250 Birthday. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Political Briefing: Saturday Evening, Dec. 6, 2025

More than 200 cultural and public figures have signed a petition urging Israel to release convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti from prison.  Among Jews signing the petition are singer Paul Simon and journalist Peter Beinart. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Community Symphony Debuts with the Three B’s

The Jewish Community Symphony, formerly the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO), now rebranded in its new home at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, opened its 52nd season November 30, with a well-rehearsed performance of Beethoven’s Egmont Overture. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Biographer of Carole King Lacked Access to Singer/ Songwriter

Author Jane Eisner wasn’t able to secure an interview with the reclusive King, nor with members of her family, so she had to rely on what was already published by other writers or said by King, herself, in her memoir and in preserved broadcast interviews. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Thanksgiving a Harbinger of Chanukah Tikkun Olam

As I looked on Facebook, I was thrilled to see La Mesa neighbors posting they were gifting plates of Thanksgiving turkey. I am vegan, but I thought it was so generous of neighbors to give to those who do not have a place to go or are struggling to make ends meet. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

‘Mostly Kosher’ is Such a Nice Band, a Mechayeh!

The band has performed at California Adventure for the past eight seasons. In 2017, I happened to walk past the winery where they were playing and stopped in my tracks, thrilled to hear Yiddish and klezmer jams. Ever since, I’ve made it a point to ensure they’re on the schedule. My teens insist this officially makes me a “groupie.” [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Disneyland Pays Tribute to Jewish Composers of ‘It’s a Small World (After All)”

In 1960, Walt Disney hired them to create scores at the Walt Disney Studios. They created the song “It’s a Small World (After All)” for the New York World’s Fair and has become one of the most performed songs of all time. {Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An Israeli Afternoon at the Opera

The local pensioners’ club, Magash, which runs a wide range of activities for seniors living in Mevasseret Zion, introduced something new, namely, a bus laid on to take members to and from Friday afternoon performances of operas. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

SDSO Showcases Mendelssohn’s Career as Composer and Conductor

Mendelssohn’s overture, The Hebrides, otherwise known as Fingal’s Cave, opened the Nov. 15 concert of the San Diego Symphony in its beautifully renovated hall at the Jacobs Music Center. The overture was inspired by the 20-year old Felix Mendelssohn’s visit to Scotland’s Hebrides Islands. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors