The Arts

Civic Theatre’s ‘Come From Away’ Provides Emotional Boost

By Eva Trieger   SAN DIEGO — If ever there was a time when we needed an emotional boost, that time is now. And the magic bullet is the San Diego Civic Theatre’s touring production of “Come From Away.” Broadway San Diego brings audiences this incredibly life-affirming Tony-award-winning musical for a limited engagement. Twelve gifted

Civic Theatre’s ‘Come From Away’ Provides Emotional Boost Read More »

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

JCC’s Five Minute Plays Festival Embraces Jewish Themes in a Novel Way

By Eva Trieger   LA JOLLA, California — I was elated to catch up with friend, actor, writer, and director Omri Schein this week by phone to ask him about an upcoming project in which he’s involved. Our local JCC is hosting the 7th Annual Five Minute Plays Festival. Having attended previous festivals I was

JCC’s Five Minute Plays Festival Embraces Jewish Themes in a Novel Way Read More »

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

‘Come From Away’ Underscores the Kindness of Strangers

By Sandi Masori SAN DIEGO — Who would ever have thought that a musical could be written around the tragedy of 9/11? And furthermore, who ever would have thought that such a musical could be joyous and fun!? Yet somehow, that is exactly what Irene Sankoff and David Hein have done in Come From Away

‘Come From Away’ Underscores the Kindness of Strangers Read More »

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

An Orthodox Jewish Woman Professor Explains the New Testament

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin   BOCA RATON, Florida — Amy-Jill Levine tells us why Jesus’s teachings in the New Testament, can be seen to be sensible and acceptable to people of all religions, even Orthodox Jews, even Jewish women like her who attends an Orthodox synagogue and sits behind a segregated mechitza (separation) for

An Orthodox Jewish Woman Professor Explains the New Testament Read More »

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

An Expressively Gripping World War II Graphic Memoir

“The English GI: World War II Graphic Memoir of a Yorkshire Schoolboy’s Adventures in the United States and Europe;” Edited by Jonathan Sandler and illustrated by Brian Bicknell; Graphic MEMOIR.co.uk, April 2022; ISBN: 9798793377874. By Michael R. Mantell SAN DIEGO — The author, a resident of Golders Green, London, notes in his preface to this

An Expressively Gripping World War II Graphic Memoir Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Michael Mantell

Does Netflix’s ‘Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ Live Up to the Hype?

By Alan Zeitlin (JNS) When Michael Aloni’s agent told him about “The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem,” he was a bit confused. “Since when is there a beauty pageant in Jerusalem?” Aloni recalled asking at the time, at an event last week at Temple Emanu-El’s Streicker Center in New York City. He’d just finished filming the

Does Netflix’s ‘Beauty Queen of Jerusalem’ Live Up to the Hype? Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Stan Andrews: A Foolish Hero?

Some will call Stan Andrews a hero because he fought and gave his life for Israel during that country’s War of Independence.  Others will call him a fool because he lusted after combat with the same recklessness that he pursued and casually bedded women. The truth lies somewhere in between the two assessments.  Through meticulous research, the authors pieced together a complex portrait of a young man who was an accomplished writer, portraitist, and pilot.  [Donald H. Harrison]

Stan Andrews: A Foolish Hero? Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

‘In Every Generation:’ Playwright Ali Viterbi Out to Show That Jewish Stories Are Worth Telling

By Eva Trieger   SAN DIEGO — Ali Viterbi has been on my radar ever since I attended my first performance of Women of Valor at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. Viterbi co-authored that play with Artistic Director Todd Salovey, Leah Salovey, Sarah Price-Keating, and Rebecca Myers. It continues to showcase San Diego’s very own

‘In Every Generation:’ Playwright Ali Viterbi Out to Show That Jewish Stories Are Worth Telling Read More »

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

Before Melvin, Padres had 11 players, 2 coaches with at least one Jewish parent

Since the team’s induction into Major League Baseball in 1969 until 2021, the Padres counted 11 players and two coaches on its rosters who had at least one Jewish parent. In 2022, Bob Melvin became the team’s first manager with a Jewish parent. [Donald H. Harrison]

Before Melvin, Padres had 11 players, 2 coaches with at least one Jewish parent Read More »

AAA-Writers and photographers, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, USA

‘Poets of the Past’ Set for May 16

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — Brilliant Israeli poet and song lyricist, Avraham Shlonsky (1900-1973), and German-born Jewish Nobel Prize-winning poet, Nelly Sachs (1891-1970), will have their poetry read this coming Monday evening, May 16, 7 p.m. on Zoom. This program is sponsored by the Lawrence Family JCC Astor Judaica Library, the Senior

‘Poets of the Past’ Set for May 16 Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County

‘Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits:’ The Delightful Comic Relief We’ve All Been Waiting For

By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH — Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits is the delightful comic relief that we’ve all been waiting for. Thank you, North Coast Rep for providing this playful romp that might have otherwise been titled Broadway Bloopers or Broadway Barbs. The extremely talented cast includes director and performer William Selby, Cathy Barnett, Trisha

‘Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits:’ The Delightful Comic Relief We’ve All Been Waiting For Read More »

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

Frida Kahlo Loved Jews So Much She Invented Jewish Ancestry

The Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is the subject of several murals at Chicano Park. Modern genealogists say that she was the daughter of a mother of mixed indigenous and Spanish descent, Mathilde Calderon y Gonzalez, and a German Lutheran father, Guillermo Kahlo. However, Frida herself always insisted that her father, who was an important influence on both her life and her art, was actually Jewish. [Donald H. Harrison]

Frida Kahlo Loved Jews So Much She Invented Jewish Ancestry Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA