Julian Beck (May 31, 1925 – September 14, 1985) was an American actor, stage director, poet, and painter. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Julian Beck Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Tthe premiere of Amazon Prime Video’s new live-action series “Spider-Noir” proves that the two are inextricably linked. Dropping its entire eight-episode first season on Wednesday May 27, 2026, the series arrived as a cinematic triumph that can be watched in standard color or a gorgeous, authentic, high-contrast black-and-white film noir cut that honors the golden age of cinema. (Barrett Holman Leak)
Spider-Noir’s’ deep Jewish and San Diego roots Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
(I) could not contemplate any journey without having a book to read. But last week I had to endure that half-hour journey without proper reading matter, a predicament I hope never to have to repeat. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Without a book to read, author mulls eight novels she wrote Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
If you are one of the people, like my son, who has never seen either the 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews or the play, which has long been a high-school musical favorite, here’s a quick run-down. [Sandi Masori]
Enjoy ‘The Sound of Music,’ but please don’t break out in song Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Much of the Western world’s media is in a tizzy over the inhospitable, “uncivilized” treatment that participants in a recent flotilla suffered at the hands of Israeli authorities. (See Times of Israel story) Some of those arrested claimed that they were treated like terrorists. [Steve Kramer]
Flotilla passengers accuse Ben-Gvir of treating them like terrorists Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Israel, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
Jewish Heritage Month is ending in a few days. I was pleased to see a display on my way out of an event at La Mesa Arts Academy honoring famous Jewish Americans. [Cailin Acosta]
Jewish American Heritage Month nears conclusion Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Herman Wouk (May 27, 1915 – May 17, 2019) was an American author. He published 15 novels, many of them historical fiction such as The Caine Mutiny (1951), for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1952. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Herman Wouk Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
He is likely correct that Spinoza was convinced that God does not intervene in history, perform miracles, reward, punish, or listen to prayers – other Jewish thinkers said the same thing while never denying God’s existence. But he is clearly wrong to suppose that when Spinoza said we can see God in nature, he meant God does not exist. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Was Spinoza an atheist? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Helena Bonham Carter (May 26, 1966) is a British actress. She is known for her character roles as eccentric women in blockbusters and independent films, particularly period dramas. Bonham Carter rose to prominence by playing Lucy Honeychurch in A Room with a View (1985) and the title character in Lady Jane (1986). [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Helena Bonham Carter Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
From the time Conductor Kostelanetz suggested Zina learn the Hovhaness Concerto and the release of this CD, she recorded 16 other CDs, all gaining critical praise. This Alan Hovhaness CD is also receiving a great deal of media acclaim. [Eileen Wingard]
Zina Schiff demonstrates her violin mastery in Alan Hovhaness CD Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Foster hand-selected her audiences, in this way assuring that attendees would be generous. Often her patrons were members of clubs that she sponsored or was a member, thereby stacking the deck for more favorable reviews. [Eva Trieger]
‘Glorious,’ saga of the worst singer, now at PowPac Read More »
Eva Trieger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The basic story, set in an Eastern European shtetl, is about the disappearance of the dye-maker Samuel. Samuel has a special technique for extracting dye from the flowers, and that is by listening to the flowers, letting them live their lives, and then picking them only when they’ve died. [Sandi Masori]
David Chait narrates a fanciful shtetl folktale Read More »
Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The La Mesa Arts Academy Masters Arts Showcase took over the school library with its end-of-the-year showcase celebrating the promoting eighth graders. [Cailin Acosta]
Life is enriched by detecting hidden Jewish connections Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Lichtenstädter loved historical-prophetic sketches. In his book Das Neue Weltreich (The New Empire, 1903), he predicted Germany’s attack on Poland in October 1939 (he was off by one month). In 1912, Lichtenstädter predicted the “monstrous” slaughter of Armenians by the Turks, which took place in 1915. Long before the historical events, Lichtenstädter predicted the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1940 (he was off by two years). [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Siegfried Lichtenstädter, anti-utopian author Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors