“The Happiest Man on Earth,” a memoir by Australian centenarian Eddie Jaku, departs from memoirs by other Holocaust survivors in its contemplation of the role of friendship in enabling prisoners of Nazi concentration camps to survive. [Donald H. Harrison]
Friendship His Key to Survival at Auschwitz Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles
Highlights of the May 2, 2021 edition of “Good News from Israel” include:
–Israel’s Covid infection levels are the lowest for over a year.
–An Israeli treatment uses a patient’s cells to bypass blocked arteries.
–Israeli humanitarian aid is on its way to four stricken countries.
–More Israeli vegan meat and milk products.
–Israeli technology will help expand space exploration.
–Israeli startups in Europe provide tens of thousands of local jobs.
–An Israeli basketball team has won the FIBA Europe Cup.
–Free Birthright tours to Israel resume. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (May 2, 2021) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, International, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA
It is wonderful to see how resilient and innovative our San Diego area theaters are, and North Coast Repertory Theater is a testament to the old adage, “the show must go on.” Under the direction of David Ellenstein with co-writer Marc Silver, audiences were invited to attend the one-man show, Einstein Comes Through, portrayed by Jake Broder. [Eva Trieger]
Einstein Didn’t Come Through for This Reviewer Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The 437-page book A Concise Guide to Mahshava: An overview of Jewish Philosophy, is one of five new books published by Maggid Books which were authored by the recently deceased scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz who authored sixty books and hundreds of articles. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A Comprehensive Guide to Jewish Philosophy Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Frank London, jazz trumpeter, band leader, co-founder of the Klezmatics, founder of the Klezmer Brass Allstars and co-founder of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, is one of the most important figures in the Klezmer Renaissance. A graduate of the New England Conservatory, majoring in Afro-American Music, he is also well schooled in World Music. Currently, he serves on the music faculty of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Purchase. [Eileen Wingard]
CD Compiles Music from Jewish and Other Ghettos Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
The action in this debut novel by San Diego County resident Cheryl Brin occurs sometime in the distant future on a planet called Tyra, which has descended into mutual suspicion and warfare between the countries of Altira and Donira. Altira has a feudal system of government, dominated by landowners, while Donira has a socialist-style ideology, which some revolutionaries believe is not pure enough. Vakor, a country far more technologically advanced than either of the two rivals, once dominated the planet and its rulers would like to do so again. [Donald H. Harrison]
Debut Novel Takes Us to a Dystopian Planet Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. HarrisonA Concise Guide to Halakha: An Overview of Jewish Law, is one of five new books published by Maggid Books which were authored by the recently deceased scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz who authored 60 books and hundreds of articles. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A New Guide to Jewish Law Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionThanks to Covid-19 many of us experienced “lockdown” in our homes, yet we can’t begin to imagine what life is like for those who are truly locked down and sequestered from polite society. That is, until the Playwrights Project teamed up with San Diego State University, nine years ago, to bring us Beyond Prison Walls. This innovative, honest and empathetic showcase brought us into the hearts and minds of those who’ve served time at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility and Centinela State Prison. [Eva Trieger]
Prison Inmates Tell Their Stories Through Theater Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Published by AFP Hollywood (United States) (AFP) – US road movie “Nomadland” emerged as the big winner at the Oscars on Sunday with three major prizes, including a history-making award for director Chloe Zhao, as Hollywood celebrated its most glamorous night with a unique pandemic-era gala. Zhao’s drama about marginalized Americans roaming the West in
‘Nomadland’ wins big at pandemic Oscars as Zhao makes history Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Conversations Between Colleagues has a personal, useful and informative festschrift flavor that honors the profession of American Jewish History, which in 50 years grew from a minor field of study in a handful of universities to a burgeoning academic growth field. [Oliver B. Pollak]
Scholars Detail Growth of American Jewish History Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak, USA
‘The True Sea’ is a gem of a novel, but like Mark Twain’s ‘Huckleberry Finn’ before it, schools and libraries may ban it because it uses the “N-Word” in portraying relationships between Whites and Blacks in the Florida Keys in the early 20th century. [Donald H. Harrison]
Racism and Literary Censorship Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, USANETANYA, Israel — In the April 25, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Over 80% of Israeli adults have now been vaccinated against Covid-19.
–Israeli optical breakthrough allows for early detection of skin cancer.
–Israel marks Earth Day with national clean-up and new sustainability center.
–New Israeli-developed microchips are the fastest ever.
–Israel signs hi-tech agreement with one of the world’s largest carmakers.
–Discovery in Israel of the oldest example of alphabetic writing. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (April 25, 2021) 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, USA
This year’s nominees consist of intimate dramas or recreations of politically or socially relevant events or situations. Among the eight movies nominated for best picture, The Father, The Sound of Metal, Mank, and A Promising Young Woman feature protagonists suffering from some addiction, disease, disability, or trauma and examine how these afflictions affect their careers or personal relationships. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
This Year’s Oscar Predictions Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
How do you readjust to life as an ex-con? Will you make better choices? Surely, that experience will always be a part of you, but does it have to define you for the rest of your days? These are questions explored in San Diego by Playwrights Project, the SDSU School of Theatre, Television and Film and former inmates of the Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility. [Eric George Tauber]
Young Actors Take Us Beyond Prison Walls Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast