The Arts

Good News from Israel (Dec. 13, 2020)

In the 13th Dec 20 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
• A new Israeli stem cell treatment can halt and reverse MS.
• Israel has received its first deliveries of coronavirus vaccines.
• An Israeli-Ethiopian immigrant has won a scholarship to Oxford University.
• Over 130 Israeli hi-tech companies have been exhibiting in Dubai.
• New investment in Israeli startups is at record levels.
• An Israeli has won the NASCAR European championship for the 3rd time.
• Morocco and Israel are to establish diplomatic relations. [Very Good News Israel via San Diego Jewish World]
 

Good News from Israel (Dec. 13, 2020) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Teens Show Their Talent as Playwrights

Rachel Van Wormer, Contest Coordinator, and gifted actor, reviewed all 243 scripts blindly. The top 50 selections were then passed along to Cecelia Kouma, Executive Producer, and eventually, 10 finalists were evaluated by Final Judges: Peter Cirino, Jacole Kitchen, Josefina Lopez, Annie Weisman, and Ruff Yeager. Many of these folk are also alumni of this very festival and have written plays that won awards in years past. Yeager also served as the Festival Artistic Director and introduced us to each of the winning playwrights with brief interviews about how they conceived their scripts. [Eva Trieger]

Teens Show Their Talent as Playwrights Read More »

Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jewish Poets Thall, Gottleib, Salovey give Zoom readings

Three talented poets read their works over Zoom last Tuesday evening for the opening program of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices’ 12th season. Hosted by Lawrence JCC’s staff member, Melanie Rubin, and MCed by Joy Heitzmann,  the three outstanding presenters were Lorraine Thall, June Gottleib and Todd Salovey. There were 70 audience members, including some from outside of San Diego. All three poets read with dramatic expressiveness and clear pronunciation, revealing their onstage talents. June Gottleib, a veteran Slam poet, was particularly entertaining. Samples of their poetry are included in this article. [Eileen Wingard]

Jewish Poets Thall, Gottleib, Salovey give Zoom readings Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard

Yoko Ono urges gun control as fans commemorate John Lennon’s death

New York (AFP) – Mourners sang and laid flowers Tuesday on Central Park’s candlelit memorial to John Lennon on the 40th anniversary of his murder in New York City, as his widow Yoko Ono marked the moment with a call for gun control. “The death of a loved one is a hollowing experience,” tweeted the

Yoko Ono urges gun control as fans commemorate John Lennon’s death Read More »

International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

A Holocaust Haggadah To Help Preserve Memory

The idea of a Holocaust Haggadah is fabulous; we have a Tu’B’ Shevat Seder Haggadah, why not one on the Holocaust—especially since Yom HaShoah occurs within a week after Passover ends?  Historically, the Passover Haggadah provided a practical template how to convey the meaning of Passover; Rabbi Rosenberg’s Holocaust Haggadah aims to create a practical syllabus on how to make the Holocaust relevant to the themes of Passover and redemption. For the children of Holocaust survivors (like myself), we must find new and creative ways to preserve the sacredness of Jewish memory. This is similar to the way the retelling of Passover serves to challenge new generations with the seminal thoughts since the time when the traditional observance of Passover ceased with the destruction of the Temple. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

A Holocaust Haggadah To Help Preserve Memory Read More »

Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Independent Scholars Offer 31 Essays on the Covid Pandemic

In September Dorothy L. Parker, President of San Diego Independent Scholars and project editor, reached out and invited likeminded independent scholar organizations to participate in a writing and art project about Covid-19 experiences. The result is a collection of 31 essays about  pandemic experiences, thoughts, impressions and history. The writers represented a range of backgrounds, academic disciplines, and perspectives. They were seasoned and experienced, most over 65. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]

Independent Scholars Offer 31 Essays on the Covid Pandemic Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak

Modern ‘Prometheus Bound’ a Delight to Read

Howard Rubenstein’s play Prometheus Bound” is based on the play of the same name attributed to the famed Greek playwright Aeschylus (c. 525 BCE – c. 456 BCE), called the father of tragedy, from which it was freely adapted, and based on the epic poem “Origin of the Gods” by the Greek didactic poet Hesiod (c. 750 BCE – c. 650 BCE). The late Dr. Rubenstein of San Diego, California, wrote his version in ordinary English which made the play accessible, meaningful, comprehensible, thoughtful, and entertaining. It is very good. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Modern ‘Prometheus Bound’ a Delight to Read Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Roald Dahl’s Family Apologizes For Author’s Antisemitic Comments

The family of Roald Dahl has apologized for the author’s antisemitism, which hurt his reputation during his lifetime and continues to taint interpretations of his work after his death, through a statement on the website that was recently discovered and publicized but has been up for an indefinite amount of time. “The Dahl family and

Roald Dahl’s Family Apologizes For Author’s Antisemitic Comments Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Drive-in Chanukah Concert Dec. 14 at Del Mar Fairgrounds

In their efforts to bring meaningful and uplifting Chanukah events to the Jewish community the 25+ Chabad Centers throughout San Diego County have joined together to host the first ever Drive-In Chanukah Concert at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The featured entertainer is Israeli superstar Gad Elbaz, who is known for his high energy and powerful voice! The opening act will feature Rabbi Yossi Rodal, himself a local Chabad rabbi and Director of Chabad of Carlsbad-North. [Press Release]

Drive-in Chanukah Concert Dec. 14 at Del Mar Fairgrounds Read More »

Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Bob Dylan sells entire song catalog to Universal Music Publishing in ‘landmark agreement’

Bob Dylan, the nasally voice of the nation for decades, has signed a blockbuster deal to sell his entire song catalog, spanning more than 600 copyrights and six decades. Universal Music Publishing announced Monday that it reached a “landmark agreement” with the 79-year-old singer-songwriter for his lifetime of work, “from 1962’s cultural milestone ‘Blowin’ In

Bob Dylan sells entire song catalog to Universal Music Publishing in ‘landmark agreement’ Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

US Supreme Court hears case on art trove bought by Nazi Germany

Washington (AFP) – The US Supreme Court will hear Monday a case involving an important medieval art collection that Nazi Germany acquired from Jewish dealers. The clash centers on gold crosses, jewels and other religious works from the 11th to the 14th centuries that are now on exhibit in a museum in Berlin. “This case

US Supreme Court hears case on art trove bought by Nazi Germany Read More »

International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

Pharmacist Explains How Drugs Can Mitigate Mental Illness

Dishman covers ADHD, depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia. He goes into detail in each of these, including the variety of medications available for anyone suffering with one of these mental illnesses, or as he calls them, “Diversity of Personality.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

Pharmacist Explains How Drugs Can Mitigate Mental Illness Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education

Some little known facts about Hanukah

Many Jews, even those who do not observe any Jewish practice other than Yom Kippur and Passover, observe Hanukah, mostly because their children want gifts, but they have wrong ideas about the history relating to the holiday. Even most observant Jews have wrong ideas, as do many non-Jews.  The late Dr. Howard Rubenstein of San Diego published a fascinating book about the history of Hanukah called Maccabee: An Epic in Free Verse. Based upon the Books of Maccabees. The book is very readable. One should not be turned off by the words “free verse.” In fact, Rubenstein’s free verse is easier to read than the average novel written for the general population, and is more interesting. I recommend the book. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Some little known facts about Hanukah Read More »

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