The Ba’al Shem Tov, who was present in the town at that time, felt the suffering deeply. He saw the brokenness of the Jewish people and understood that such darkness often signals the moments before redemption—when the night is at its deepest just before dawn begins to break. [Daniel Shasha]
A legend about the Ba’al Shem Tov and Lag BaOmer Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The La Mesa Arts Academy library hosted the Master Arts Fireside Gallery’s Welcome to Flight exhibit on Thursday, April 23. “Flight” explored the many ways of flying—from airplanes and kites to birds. [Cailin Acosta]
Various forms of flight examined at art exhibit Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Emily Sunstein (April 28, 1924 – April 21, 2007) was an American campaigner, political activist, and biographer. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Emily Sunstein Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The student council at San Diego State University on April 22 adopted a resolution labeling Israel’s war against Hamas as “genocide,” and calling on the university administration to divest from Israel. (SDSU staff)
SDSU student council brands Israel’s war with Hamas ‘genocide’ Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In his Theses on the Philosophy of History, Benjamin argued that many forms of knowledge are created on a bourgeois principle, and new formulations will be required to ensure proletarian, or class, truth. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Walter Benjamin, Marxist philosopher Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Nicolas Slonimsky (April 27, 1894 – December 25, 1995), born Nikolai Leonidovich Slonimskiy (Russian: Николай Леонидович Слoнимский), was a Russian-American musicologist, conductor, pianist, lexicographer, and composer. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Nicolas Slonimsky Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The first half of the program was conducted by the orchestra’s assistant conductor, Robert Zelickman, and opened with a nicely paced Overture to Rosamunde by Franz Schubert. As is typical with this composer, who is known for his beautiful melodies, this overture was filled with engaging themes. [Eileen Wingard]
Violinist Martin Chalifour performs marvelously with S.D.’s Jewish Community Symphony Read More »
California, Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Rather than presenting a verse-by-verse commentary, he focuses on major themes and evolving events in the narrative. He shows how a group of enslaved people became a nation bound by shared laws, rituals, and a collective national mission. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Book on Exodus is mind-expanding and enjoyable Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Hank Azaria (April 25, 1964) is an American actor and producer. He is known for voicing many characters in the animated sitcom The Simpsons since 1989, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, Superintendent Chalmers, Comic Book Guy, Snake, Professor Frink, Kirk Van Houten, Duffman, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, Lou, and Carl Carlson, among others. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Hank Azaria Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Jewish Federation of San Diego’s celebration of Yom Ha’Atzma’ut will be highlighted by a music festival at noon, Sunday, April 26, at the Lawrence Family JCC. [Cailin Acosta]
Yom Ha’atzma’ut celebration in San Diego scheduled for Sunday, April 26 Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAThe recently produced film Immigrant Songs: Yiddish Theater and the American Jewish Experience depicts one of the most delightful yet often overlooked chapters of American Jewish cultural history. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Documentary on Yiddish Theatre both educational and entertaining Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
In the past I would happily watch the broadcast of the official ceremony on television, enjoying the sense of unity and national pride. This year, however, like many other people, I preferred other fare and found a funny movie to watch instead. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Current war, domestic politics dampen Israel’s celebration of Independence Day Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Ivor Montagu (April 23, 1904 – November 5, 1984) was an English filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, film critic, writer, table tennis player, and Communist activist and spy in the 1930s. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Ivor Montagu Read More »
Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Charlotte Rae (April 22, 1926 – August 5, 2018) was an American comedic actress and singer whose career spanned 66 years. Rae was known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett in the sitcoms Diff’rent Strokes and its spin-off, The Facts of Life (in which she had the starring role from 1979 to 1986). [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Charlotte Rae Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia