There’s a new social media app making waves that you may have heard of. It’s the all-audio app called Clubhouse. Though it’s only a year old, is still in Beta, and hasn’t had a public offering, it’s been given a $4 Billion valuation. Yes, that’s Billion with a B. [Sandi Masori]
Clubhouse’s Pros Outweigh Its Cons Read More »
Business & Finance, Lifestyles, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Emuna is the Hebrew word for faith, and in his newest book, 13 Principles of Emuna, Rabbi Lazer Brody passionately reexamines Maimonides thirteen assertions, ranging from the fervent belief in one God to acknowledging the future resurrection of the dead and the coming of the Messiah, through a traditional orthodox-Jewish frame of reference. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Author Adopts Maimonides’ Principles as True Judaism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
The Israel Prize is awarded for academic or social excellence, and serves as Israel’s attempt to provide its own version of the Nobel Prize. Sadly, I have never attended a Nobel Prize ceremony, but I have read about it, and I know it is a very stately and serious occasion. Just imagine, if the ceremony would be the occasion for a series of pop singers to pop up, sing and play at the tops of their voices a medley of songs of questionable taste (and certainly not my taste). But that was the overriding tone of the Israel Prize ceremony last night. The whole occasion left an impression of bad judgment and inferior standards. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Israel Lowers Its Cultural Standards of Excellence Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
The Hatikvah melody has been heard more recently when a singer sampled the tune in one of his songs. Which rap or hip hop musician sampled the music of Hatikvah in a rap song? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: ‘Hatikvah’ Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
There are Shakespearian scholars who feel that Measure for Measure is Shakespeare’s greatest play. This is very possible. It certainly is one of his best. It is very thoughtful. It addresses ancient unresolved problems of human nature that still exist today, and it prompts us to consider the good verses the evil inclination; male dominance over females and the frequent male harassments; the power of the sex drive over the intellect, morality and the inability to control it; hypocrisy, irony, religion, and other conflicts that invade all humans at times and are often unresolvable. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Measuring ‘Measure for Measure’ Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Blindspot Collective in San Diego is known for its shows for young audiences, tackling difficult topics such as mental illness, the bullying of immigrants and the tribulations of the transgendered. They specialize in “forum theatre” in which audience members actually get to step into the show and give the actors do-overs with better outcomes. But, like all of us, the current situation has forced them to rethink how they do things. And so, they have created Lit: A Virtual Musical, written and directed by Desha Crownover of SD Junior Theatre with book and lyrics by Blake McCarty and Music by Ian Brandon. [Eric George Tauber]
‘Lit’ warms the Heart Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
To commemorate Yom Hashoah, Ohr Shalom Synagogue screened the premiere of the documentary, We Are the Tree of Life: Carry On. The Zoom screening was introduced by former Ohr Shalom president, Susie Meltzer. Many participants in the film were in the Zoom audience, including Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. [Eileen Wingard]
‘We Are the Tree of Life’ debuts in San Diego Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
In the April 18, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–3 Israeli research breakthroughs into cancer, aging and obesity.
–NASA names two asteroids after their Israeli-Arab student discoverer.
–Japan praises Israel for its help on the 10th anniversary of the tsunami.
–A hi-tech Israeli competitor to zoom.
–Investment in Israeli startups breaks three all-time records.
–Israelis once again were able to properly celebrate the nation’s birthday. (Michael Ordman)
Good News from Israel (April 18, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
By Jerry Klinger BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Our little dog, Norman, died this week. He was 13. He loved us, and we definitely loved him. He was more than a family pet whose life had run its course. Norman was the forgotten soul of Israel. He had passed. But because of little Norman, a process
A dog, memorials, and Herzl’s last descendant Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jerry Klinger
Almost Havana: A Collection of Short Stories by F.W Belland and Chris Belland; Whiz Bang LLC, 2014; ISBN 9780692-378885; 192 pages; $14.95; Available on Amazon Amazon.com : almost havana By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Brothers Fred and Chris Belland each contributed ten stories to this well-written collection. While reading older brother Fred’s stories,
The Brothers Belland Team on Short Stories Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
Hank Azaria’s recent apology for voicing the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, an Indian-born convenience store clerk on “The Simpsons,” has launched some fascinating discussions that touch on, but also transcend, the role of pop culture in shaping the world we all share. Azaria’s Apu has long come under fire for its stereotypical portrayal of Indian Americans.
Editor’s Note: In celebration of Israel’s 73rd birthday today, Nicky Blackburn of Israel21c.org compiled 73 fun facts about Israel:
73 Fun Facts About Israel Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
An American living in retirement in Jerusalem, Chaya Passow has been described by her friends as a “pollyanna,” one who tries to see the best in everything and everybody. So when the coronavirus pandemic confined many people to their homes – except to go out for necessities or approved errands – she unsurprisingly decided to “glean from this unprecedented experience any lessons for better understanding the human condition, for self-improvement, for a closer connection to Hashem and others.” [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Planet Corona’ Is Everyone’s Current Residence Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Middle EastIsrael’s good news, the highlights include:
*Israeli scientists have found that bacteria can help fight cancer.
*Local and international students are returning to Israeli colleges.
*New Israeli visual technology can see both under the skin and from high in the air.
*Microsoft plans to invest over $1 billion in Israel.
*Israel has upgraded its plans for this year’s Independence Day celebrations [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (April 11, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, USA