(JNS) A documentary that reconstructs the lives of Holocaust survivors Lottie and Howard Marcus, who made the largest-ever charitable donation to an institution based in Israel, will screen at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival next month. “Who Are the Marcuses?” reveals the mystery behind an unassuming couple from Great Neck, N.Y., with a passion […]
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — The music of Gustav Mahler is not everyone’s cup of tea, and this applies especially to his later works, starting with his sixth symphony. However, at last week’s concert given by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Leon Botstein, the auditorium was packed, evidently with
The Mahler Experience Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Sometimes you feel so stressed, you think you are going to SNAP! That, according to author Julie Potiker, is a good thing, assuming you are referring to SNAP as an acronym. [Donald H. Harrison]
Dealing with Stress? It’s a SNAP! Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles
Julie Potiker, Robert Nejmias, and Lisa Schwartz were the featured poets for the second evening of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices’ 15th season on January 17 at the Astor Judaica Library in the Lawrence Family JCC. They all read their own works and the audience was totally engaged by the creativity and beauty of their poems, as well as their self-assured presentations. Examples from each are at the end of this article. [Eileen Wingard]
Three Jewish Poets Share Their Creativity at the JCC Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard
New Village Arts is continuing its groundbreaking mission with the West Coast premiere of Jez Butterworth’s The Ferryman. Kristianne Kurner will direct this show for its first foray in the US outside of Broadway, where the show earned the 2019 Tony Award for Best Play. This epic piece of theatre will serve as the debut show for the newly renamed Conrad Prebys Theatre at the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center. [Eva Trieger]
‘The Ferryman’ Warns What Can Occur When Peoples are Divided Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Pianist Iegor Romanenko from Kharkiv, Ukraine, sat down to give an impromptu recital last Sunday afternoon at the home of Solana Salons’ hostess, Monique Kunewalder. Although arranged just days before, Romanenko’s performance drew fifty guests to listen to this talented refugee musician. [Eileen Wingard]
Ukrainian Pianist Romanenko Delights at Impromptu Recital Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
By Oliver B. Pollak TETON VILLAGE, Wyoming — I watched The Fabelmans, Steven Spielberg’s semi-autobiographical film on Amazon Prime. There were four of us in the living room, that cut it down to $5 each. I had no intention of writing about it. I got a birthday gift in November, Paul Newman, The Extraordinary Life
Books and Films – Paul Newman, Steven Spielberg, and the Second World War Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Celebrities, Oliver Pollak, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
This book is billed as one for women, but in fact the issues it discusses apply equally to the genders. In her memoir, Laura Black tells of her struggles with weight and her recognition that because of it, her parents were embarrassed by her. To demonstrate her worth, she threw herself first into business and secondly into the law, eventually combining the two to create an agency to supply lawyers on a temporary basis to law firms that were crushed with work. Her career won her recognition and plaudits, but did not erase her negative self-image. [Donald H. Harrison]
Finding Meaning in the Last Part of Your Life Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles
Various items connected to the celebration of Passover have gone missing in their home: Passover placemats, a Seder plate puzzle, Afikomen bag, even matzo. With the discovery of each disappearance, Michael texts the Easter bunny, asking him to put that item in the Golden Easter Egg. But the placemats, puzzle, and Afikomen bag, are too large to fit in the bag, even though the Easter Bunny pushed, patted, squished, and squashed. [Donald H. Harrison]
Missing Information Detracts from Passover & Easter Tale Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
After years of running and hiding during the Holocaust, Jenny Benrey, decided that her five-year-old daughter, the future novelist Michèle Sarde, should be baptized in the Catholic Church. So many of her relatives and friends had disappeared in the Nazi Holocaust! But later, when it came time for Michèle’s confirmation, Jenny could not bring herself to complete her abandonment of Judaism. Michèle was withdrawn from the confirmation class, thereafter living neither as a practicing Jew nor as a Catholic. And the Holocaust that had prompted Jenny’s impulses became a forbidden subject, enveloped in silence. [Donald H. Harrison]
Sephardic Family History Stretches from Spanish Inquisition to Post-Holocaust Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The 15th season of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices continues on Tuesday evening, January 17, at 7 p.m., featuring three Jewish poets from our community, Roberto Nejmias, Julie Potiker, and Lisa Schwartz. Register here: https://my.lfjcc.org/12680/12681 Nejmias writes in Spanish and his sister, Sara Artenstein, will be reading the English translations.
Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Continues to Tap Into Community’s Creativity Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County
By his own assessment, being a rabbi who must give sermons before a congregation and empathize with congregants during times of their loss or emotional stress is a challenge that others might believe insurmountable given his high-functioning autism. [Donald H. Harrison]
Autistic Rabbi Brutally Honest about Issues and Himself Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
Playing through January 8, this show will have you clapping and singing along whether you want to or not. Against the backdrop of chart-topping hits like For Once In My Life; Since I lost My Baby; My Girl; The Way You Do The Things You Do, and of course the title song Ain’t Too Proud To Beg, the story of the Temptations’ rise to fame and the cost to their personal lives is narrated by the last surviving original member, Otis Williams, played by Michael Andreas. [Sandi Masori]
‘Ain’t Too Proud’ Production a Temptation for Music Lovers Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — A new series of Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library will be launched on Thursday, January 5, 2 p.m. in the library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. Register here. The three-part series will feature songs of our people, opening with Yiddish Songs.
Yiddish Songs to Kick Off New Musical Series at Lawrence Family JCC Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County