The Arts

Extricating Oneself from the Muddy Middle

Each of us hears an internal voice, it talks to us every day. For some, this voice repeats the harmful and disheartening comments made by parents, teachers, siblings, and friends. It reminds us of our failures and insecurities. This voice, according to Rabbi Shimshon Frankel, a clinical psychologist with more than a quarter century of experience, and author of The Wisdom of Getting Unstuck, is your Antagonist, and “when we start to identify ourselves with the negative messages that it delivers, we’re bound to start experiencing a heightened degree of discomfort, emptiness, pain, and tension.” [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

Extricating Oneself from the Muddy Middle Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles

Good News from Israel (June 27, 2021)

In the June 27, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–UK National Health Service to trial Israeli cancer treatment test.
–Israeli grandmother is honored for fostering 217 babies.
–Israeli anti-malaria system wins top IBM AI prize.
–Israeli software powers Intel’s 5G microprocessors.
–Israeli sensors can detect when plants are unhappy.
–Three more billion-dollar Israeli companies in one week.
–Israel’s team of 81 Olympic athletes is the largest ever.
–Honduras is the fourth country to open an embassy in Jerusalem. [Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (June 27, 2021) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Jerry Seinfeld to direct and star in Netflix movie about Pop-Tarts

Published by DPA Jerry Seinfeld is taking his longtime infatuation of Pop-Tarts to Hollywood. The Emmy-winning funnyman is set to direct, produce and star in “Unfrosted,” a new Netflix comedy about the iconic brand of breakfast pastries. According to reports, the comedy is inspired by one of Seinfeld’s stand-up bits where he talks about the

Jerry Seinfeld to direct and star in Netflix movie about Pop-Tarts Read More »

Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Marilyn Monroe statue returns to Palm Springs, to cheers and jeers

Published by Reuters By Norma Galeana (Reuters) – Marilyn Monroe is back in Palm Springs, California, in a big way – but not everyone is thrilled. A 26-ft (7.9-m) tall statue of the Hollywood icon in her famous billowing white dress was unveiled in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum, facing Palm Canyon Drive,

Marilyn Monroe statue returns to Palm Springs, to cheers and jeers Read More »

Theatre, Film & Broadcast

LFJCC Summer Reading Program Features Jewish Authors and Topics

I introduced Judy Bloom, Elizabeth Enright and Norton Juster to my summer hangouts, and they in turn,  took me to places I’d never visited. The experience of gobbling up all of the library’s offerings seemed limitless and thrilling. And now, thanks to the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, summer reading is back! [Eva Trieger]

LFJCC Summer Reading Program Features Jewish Authors and Topics Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, San Diego County

‘Sesame Street’ celebrates inclusion with episode featuring 2 gay dads

Published by New York Daily News “Sesame Street” featured two gay dads and their daughter in a groundbreaking episode celebrating diversity and inclusion. In an episode entitled “Family Day,” which premiered last week on HBO Max and YouTube, the beloved children’s show has a scene in which Nina (Suki Lopez) introduces her brother Dave (Chris

‘Sesame Street’ celebrates inclusion with episode featuring 2 gay dads Read More »

Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Book Review: The Wisdom of Getting Unstuck

Written by Rabbi Shimshon Meir Frankel, a clinical psychologist living in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, who also practices as a marriage and family therapist, with more than 25 years of experience, his book stands out with its Torah-driven, short-term, solution-oriented focus anchored in ancient wisdom. It puts the reader in the driver’s seat with very concentrated tools to live free of foreign, unhelpful thoughts, “antagonists,” and unhealthy behaviors – it is soul focused and value grounded. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Book Review: The Wisdom of Getting Unstuck Read More »

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

Political Biography Includes Anecdotes About Biden and Jews

While this book was published prior to the election by which Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States, there is much in it that remains of interest — particularly for people like myself who are interested in the relationships between American presidents and the Jewish community. [Donald H. Harrison]

Political Biography Includes Anecdotes About Biden and Jews Read More »

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

Miraculous Tales of Ancient Judaism Dissected

Most people do not know that the Talmud and other rabbinic volumes such as Midrash include non-legal writings about theology, ethics, psychology, health, and many other topics, as well as fascinating and delightful stories. Along with being appealing, riveting, and charming tales, these accounts also contain subtle often overlooked lessons. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Miraculous Tales of Ancient Judaism Dissected Read More »

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

Novel portrays 3 English-speaking students at Hebrew University

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson’s eighth novel concerns three foreign students studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.  Each of them is from an English-speaking country; specifically the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.  Two are married, one is single; the Australian and his wife have two children; and all are graduate students in the history department. The  year is 1966, one year prior to the Six Day War. [Donald H. Harrison]

Novel portrays 3 English-speaking students at Hebrew University Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021)

Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish News Around San Diego, June 18, 2021

The Balboa Park-based San Diego History Center has embarked  on a $100,000 fundraising campaign “to edit, conserve and preserve” more than 90 hours of interviews that were conducted in preparation for its 2017-2018 exhibition Celebrate San Diego: The History of San Diego’s Jewish Community and a companion documentary film. To the Ends of the Earth: A Portrait of San Diego.  The fundraising campaign is being led by Jeff and Karen Silberman. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jewish News Around San Diego, June 18, 2021 Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

IPO Performs at Negev Hospital for Israelis with Disabilities

ADI (formerly ALEH Jerusalem and ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran) is legendary as Israel’s most comprehensive provider of residential and rehabilitative care. The village, that sits on 25 acres, is home to 165 individuals with severe disabilities. There are over 500 professional staff members, including doctors, nurses, therapists and special educators, and more than 800 annual volunteers.  It has a hydrotherapy pool, special education school, integrated nursery, green care farm, and a therapeutic horse farm and petting zoo.  [Toby Klein Greenwald]

IPO Performs at Negev Hospital for Israelis with Disabilities Read More »

Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Toby Klein Greenwald