The Arts

Reframing the Arguments in Israel and the Palestinian Authority

Almost all arguments about Israel revolve around one or more of the following themes: security, collective identity, freedom, and territory. Authors Gringras and Sterne help us to conceptualize these arguments with a series of analogies.  They challenge us to argue, in the classic sense of the word, about right and wrong in the hope that we may learn from each other. Arguments are different from fights; they are mental exercises, not physical, and they are laid out methodically, with each side trying to educate the other using such tools as logic and empathy. [Donald H. Harrison]

Reframing the Arguments in Israel and the Palestinian Authority Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education

Civic Theatre’s ‘Tootsie’ Proves the Movie Was Worth Adapting

By Sandi Masori SAN DIEGO — My friend Ami and I went to see Tootsie produced by Broadway San Diego at the San Diego Civic Theatre on Wednesday night. We had both seen the movie starring Jewish actor Dustin Hoffman back in the 1980s, so we really weren’t sure what to expect. How could they adapt

Civic Theatre’s ‘Tootsie’ Proves the Movie Was Worth Adapting Read More »

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

‘Liturgical Treasures from the Music Collection’ Set for April 20

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The second program of the three-part series, Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library, “Liturgical Treasures from the Music Collection,” will be aired on Zoom, Wednesday, April 20, 7 p.m. This is the link to register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMpdeiqqz4vG9Ol6VM-vbIaHEDF07Bl1JRV I will once again host the event and

‘Liturgical Treasures from the Music Collection’ Set for April 20 Read More »

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

Book on Hope Through a Jewish Lens Comes Just in Time for Passover

“Choosing Hope: The Heritage of Judaism” by David Arnow; The Jewish Publication Society: March 2022; ISBN 9780827-615205; 352 pages; $30. By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In less than one second, searching for the word “hope” brings almost 2.5 billion references through Google. Wow! That’s a popular topic, and for good reason. I’ve

Book on Hope Through a Jewish Lens Comes Just in Time for Passover Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Reimagined ‘Tootsie’ Poised to Delight San Diego Audiences

By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — In 1982, when the film Tootsie was released, it seemed Larry Gelbart, Barry Levinson, Elaine May, and Murray Schisgal had birthed a winning story delivered by a star-studded cast. Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, and Dabney Coleman told the story of a talented but volatile actor who had

Reimagined ‘Tootsie’ Poised to Delight San Diego Audiences Read More »

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

Written in 1845, ‘Narrative of the Life of an American Slave’ Remains a Must-Read in 2022

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin   BOCA RATON, Florida — “Narrative of the Life of an American Slave” by Frederick Douglass, written in 1845 with a preface by Wendell Phillips, is a brilliant book by a brilliant former slave in Maryland that everyone should read. It is a short, easy-to-read report of Douglass’ early life,

Written in 1845, ‘Narrative of the Life of an American Slave’ Remains a Must-Read in 2022 Read More »

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

‘Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5’ Tells Fascinating Jewish Stories at Every Exit

Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5 by Donald H. Harrison, with special architectural photography by Ben Dishman; San Diego, California: independently published (c) 2022; ISBN 9798441-789226; 308 pages; $19.95. By Dorian de Wind AUSTIN, Texas — According to Google Maps, the distance between San Ysidro, Calif., and Exit 18B off the Interstate 5 (the

‘Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5’ Tells Fascinating Jewish Stories at Every Exit Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorian de Wind, San Diego County, Travel and Food

Student Poetry Reflects Wisdom, Deep Feelings, Nurturing Teachers

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — Seventeen middle school and high school students from the San Diego Jewish Academy, the Portland Jewish Academy, and Temple Solel were featured during the Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Student Showcase on Sunday afternoon, March 27. Their works reflected their wisdom, their deep feelings, and the dedicated teachers who

Student Poetry Reflects Wisdom, Deep Feelings, Nurturing Teachers Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

To Whom Was the Promised Land Promised?

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Professor Abraham A. Sion — author of the interesting, significant, and eye-opening book “To Whom Was The Promised Land Promised?” — knows the subject of the Israeli and Arab claims to the land of Israel better than most people. He served as deputy state attorney for

To Whom Was the Promised Land Promised? Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Middle East

Marti Gobel: Scripps Ranch Theater Show About More Than ‘Just the Black Director’

By Eva Trieger SCRIPPS RANCH, California — It seems it is not possible to pigeonhole Marti Gobel, the multifaceted, highly talented San Diego native. Aside from film credits such as Game Day, Chicago PD, Gettin’ Kicks, and Spare Change, Gobel is a director, cinematographer, adjunct professor at three universities, and a public speaker! Local audiences

Marti Gobel: Scripps Ranch Theater Show About More Than ‘Just the Black Director’ Read More »

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