Shmuel Cohen was the musical composer of the Hatikvah. Purists argue that he was not the composer. They argue that Cohen was simply the adapter, the borrower, of music such as Smetena’s “The Moldau” that had originated in his pre-Aliyah home in Romania. [Jerry Klinger]
Grave restored of Hatikvah composer Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
This year’s Tapestry, sponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s JLearn, promises to be more diverse, exciting and interesting than ever before. Experts have been tapped from all over the world to contribute to this extraordinary Jewish Learning event.
The first session, the keynote address on Saturday evening, November 7, at 7:30 p.m., will feature David Meltzer, named one of Forbes’ 10 best Motivational Speakers. Meltzer will discuss how to “Stabilize Your Mindset and Stay Grounded. Focus on Your Core Values Through a Jewish Lens. “ [Eileen Wingard]
Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
The vision of Israel’s innovators brings tomorrow’s dreams much closer to today’s world. This week’s newsletter includes visual innovations such as an eye-tracking app to reduce stress; facial analysis to warn of a stroke, plus new bio-markers and telemedicine to highlight diseases optically. Israeli technology enhances websites to benefit the visually impaired, removes toxic algae infesting clear blue lakes and helps our US allies to see in the dark. Far-sighted Israelis are kickstarting sport for children, and boosting training for adults in athletics as well as in the hi-tech arena. Many of Israel’s other achievements can only be described as “out of sight”! [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (Nov. 1, 2020) Read More »
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
Every year around Halloween, many Americans watch various monster movies about creatures who are often “undead.” Let’s be honest; nothing is appealing about zombies. They lack the sexiness of vampires; they lack the glamor and good manners. At least vampires know how to blend in society. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Some underlying reasons for zombies’ popularity Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
He was only known as Klimo. No other name. I employed him occasionally, and I once fired him twice in one day. I paid him in cash, the small employer’s magic fairy dust that eliminates the need to pay taxes for employer and employee alike. [Ira Spector]
Klimo, an unforgettable part-time artist Read More »
Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
I just made a contribution to the NAACP after being mesmerized listening to the audible edition of Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Perhaps my contribution is a guilt offering. No matter, it is never too late to step up to the plate and take a swing against profound racial injustice in our country. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]
Caste: A Mind-Opening Book Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l
Laurie Baron, PhD, compiles scholarly programs of Jewish interest available on the Internet during the week of Nov. 1-7.
Streaming Jewish Programs (Nov. 1-7) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar, reacting to an unfavorable story carried about him by the Breitbard news organization, reiterated on Wednesday his support for a peaceful two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians, and his opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. [Donald H. Harrison]
Campa-Najjar tells stands on Mideast Peace, BDS Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Often politics is eschewed by rabbis because by its very nature it polarizes us. We often lose sight of the humanity of others, believing that “everyone’s entitled to MY opinion” or failing to believe that someone with diametrically opposed views is just as caring and compassionate a person as we are. Personally, I have experienced this on multiple fronts: in rabbinical school, where I was more conservative than the majority of my peers and in a previous synagogue where some felt I was a “bleeding heart liberal.” I take it in good stride, believing that if I displeasing people on multiple sides, I’m doing my job. [Rabbi Benjamin Herman]
The Election from Jewish Perspectives Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAAfter nearly two thirds of the year silent, San Diego’s flagship musical organizations are finding innovative ways to bring back their musicians in live performances. [Eileen Wingard]
Shows go on by San Diego’s musical organizations Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
What if we fight hate with satire like comedians try to do? Could that be an effective way to tackle conspiracy theories against Jews? I think, “Yes.” Regardless of whether it is done in a straightforward fashion or from the flip side, what matters most is to awaken the question of why the endless Jew-hatred exists, as an important step to solving the problem for good. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Can Antisemitism be laughed off? Read More »
Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
According to James is an interesting and thoughtful book. Whether readers are Christians, Jews, Muslims, or something else, and even if they strongly disagree with the story Howard Rubenstein tells about James, an older brother of Jesus, they will find that the story prompts them to think about many aspects of religion. The story is fiction. But it is based on the views of many scholars. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Examining Jesus as a human Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionCharley could draw and paint imaginatively with incredible realism He also created innumerable bas-relief sand cast murals that still hang in libraries, banks, corporate offices, government buildings, and the San Diego Airport. It was my good fortune to have known him. He taught me, on the telephone, how to make sand castings [Ira Spector]
Artist Charley Faust helped struggling firm win a contract Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Sam Glaser’s The Joy of Judaism contains 407 pages of very interesting insights into Jewish practices offered to readers by a very accomplished communicator in a clear, often humorous, always insightful and inspiring way. Glaser’s book covers virtually all aspects of Judaism. He shows readers how they can enjoy Jewish practices. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Humor, song lyrics, and Jewish practice Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion