The Arts

Today’s Jewish Birthday: J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye, featuring the adventures of the cynical Holden Caulfield, was greeted enthusiastically by literary reviewers and by high school teachers, but in other parts of the country, it was denounced as smut because of Salinger’s frequent use of such words as “goddamn,” bastard,” “Chrissakes.”[SDJW Staff report]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

A New Home for the Bezalel Academy

A plaque embedded into the entrance wall of the building states in Hebrew, Arabic and English: “Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem; Based on principles of human dignity, equality, pluralism and freedom of thought, speech and creative expression.” One can only hope that the students, who come from all segments of Israeli society, will benefit from this noble aspiration. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Gwyneth Paltrow reveals plans for very quiet New Year’s Eve

Published by BANG Showbiz English Gwyneth Paltrow is planning to spend her New Year’s Eve getting into her pyjamas by 8pm. The Goop founder, 51, who recently said she is so clean-living she has virtually no vices left to give up, added she would only indulge in an eggnog with brandy to ring in 2024

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Jewish Celebrities, Nordot, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

French Government Honors Kosovo’s Lulzim Tafa, Advocate for Kosovo-Israel Relations

By Prof. Dr. Jeton Kelmendi The French Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul Malak, has officially approved the decree conferring the esteemed title of “Officer of Arts and Letters” upon the celebrated poet from Kosovo, Tafa. This distinction, the highest accolade in the realm of arts and literature bestowed by the French government, marks a historic

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International

Remembering Sandy Lakoff, Founder of UCSD’s Political Science Department

Sandy fostered long-lasting connections to friends around the world such as Jacob Goldberg, who had served as an adviser to Israel’s prime minister, Ehud Barak. That 40-year friendship began when the Lakoffs hosted Goldberg’s lecture at their home on behalf of American Professors for Peace in the Middle East. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Eileen Wingard, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Eva Longoria Named Recipient of Inclusion Award From Jewish Organization

BOSTON (Press Release) — The Ruderman Family Foundation, a Jewish organization, announced Monday that award-winning actress, director, producer, entrepreneur, and activist Eva Longoria is the recipient of its 2023 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion. The Foundation, which has spent more than two decades advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Library in City Heights Reflects Ben Weingart’s Values

The late philanthropist Ben Weingart, a prominent businessman and a dedicated advocate for the betterment of Southern California, is remembered in San Diego through the Weingart Branch Library, a cultural and educational hub that serves City Heights, one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in San Diego. [Emily Scalmanini]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma

This is a memoir of an American falling in love with a French man who is more traditional in his religious observance than she is.  They marry and live for a while in France, but Israel calls to him.  She wants to live in the familiar U.S. of A.  He wants his family to be raised as traditional Jews in Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

Recorded Hanukkah Music to Provide Holiday Prelude Dec. 7

Enjoy a prelude to your first night of Hanukkah with Hanukkah Music, part of the series, Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library. This free program will be held in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC on Thursday, December 7, 2:00-3:30 p.m. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

‘Proof’ Delivers Despite Moments of Confusion

Catherine (Liliana Talwatte) is mourning her mathematician father Robert (Francis Gercke) who has recently passed after she took care of him through several years of mental illness.  Her sister Claire (Wendy Maples) comes in from New York for the funeral and wants to bring Catherine back with her. [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast