The Arts

Biblical Imagery Brightens Poet’s Bleak Account of Life in the Arizona Desert

Poet Allisa Cherry is entranced by Hebrew Scriptures, turning to them to express her anguish over the tragic lives of the members of a Mormon family. A grandmother had a double mastectomy; a father died of radiation poisoning caused by nuclear testing in the desert; a brother died in a car accident before he was 20; and a wife, caught in a loveless marriage, divorces her ne’er-do-well husband. [Donald H. Harrison]

Biblical Imagery Brightens Poet’s Bleak Account of Life in the Arizona Desert Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Katey Sagal

Katey Sagal (January 19, 1954) is an American actress and singer. She is known for playing Peggy Bundy on Married… with Children (1987–1997), Leela on Futurama (1999–2003, 2008–2013, 2023–present), Cate Hennessy on 8 Simple Rules (2002–2005), Gemma Teller Morrow on the FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014), for which she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2011, and Louise Goldufski-Conner on The Conners (2018–present). [Wikipedia]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Katey Sagal Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Some Highlights of the Upcoming San Diego International Jewish Film Festival

The 35th annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival will take place in-person from Jan. 27 through Feb. 8 and will continue virtually.  Film enthusiasts can attend in-person screenings at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre, while virtual film screenings are available on demand beginning on Feb. 9 and will remain available through Feb 11. [Hoa Quach, Times of San Diego]

Some Highlights of the Upcoming San Diego International Jewish Film Festival Read More »

San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Kol Tefillah Band Specializes in Music for Praying and Reflecting

Something ignited when Debbie Mishek, M.D., traveled to Congregation Beth Am in Los Angeles to attend a presentation about Kol Tefillah (The Voice of Prayer) a few years ago.  The program was about “reimagining Jewish prayer and making it more relevant and more inspiring,” the developmental pediatrician recalled.  “There is something about music and prayer that is so spiritual.  I access my spirituality through music.” [Donald H. Harrison]

Kol Tefillah Band Specializes in Music for Praying and Reflecting Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Frances Perkins, Nation’s First ‘Madam Secretary’ Tried to Help European Jewish Refugees

Struggling against American xenophobia, racism, and antisemitism in the 1930s, Labor Secretary Frances Perkins—the first woman to serve in a President’s Cabinet – sought in several ways to spare German Jewish refugees from annihilation by Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany. [Donald H. Harrison]

Frances Perkins, Nation’s First ‘Madam Secretary’ Tried to Help European Jewish Refugees Read More »

Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Good Deeds, Even Little Ones, Change the World for the Better

In a big city, a little girl notices that a swing has become unhooked on one side so that it hangs limply.  Another swing has some off both hooks and is lying on the ground. She wants to fix them. With the help of her grandmother, she rehooks the swings. [Donald H. Harrison]

Good Deeds, Even Little Ones, Change the World for the Better Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Back to the Future’ Transports Broadway San Diego Audiences

Sometimes a play transports you back in time to another era, and this is especially true for Broadway San Diego’s Back to the Future.  The play is literally about time travel, and those who were around in 1985 when the movie starring Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd came out will especially feel nostalgic.  [Sandi Masori]

‘Back to the Future’ Transports Broadway San Diego Audiences Read More »

Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Media Often Slants Its Coverage of Israel and Gaza

The Times and other publications frequently ignore important stories out of Israel or possible antisemitic acts in America. That leaves readers in various coverage areas ignorant of events. We are talking about regions with large Jewish populations that care about these matters. [Bruce S. Ticker]

OpEd: Media Often Slants Its Coverage of Israel and Gaza Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Israel, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Lamplighters Dim the Lamps for ‘Wait Until Dark’

Susan Hendrix (Shealyn Sailors) was recently blinded in an accident. During her recovery she met her husband, Sam (Jim Miller). The two live in a basement apartment in Greenwich Village, New York City. With Sam’s constant independence coaching and some help from Gloria (Ashlyn Graves) a little girl who lives upstairs, Suzy successfully navigates her apartment and has memorized important phone numbers and routines. [Eva Trieger]

Lamplighters Dim the Lamps for ‘Wait Until Dark’ Read More »

Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (January 13, 1961) is an American actress and comedian. Often described as one of the greatest performers in television history, she is widely known for her roles as various characters on Saturday Night Live (1982–1985), Elaine Benes on Seinfeld (1990–1998), Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006–2010), and Selina Meyer on Veep (2012–2019). [Wikipedia]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

San Diegan’s Film Comedy ‘Glass Casa’ Now Streaming on Amazon, Apple and YouTube

I do like a good murder mystery and definitely, a good comedy. ‘Glass Casa’ is both. The cast includes Lizet Benrey, Harley Bronwyn, Nicole Clifford, Geri Courtney-Austein and Braden Garner. The film is a wild rollercoaster ride with bizarre twist and turns. (Barrett Holman Leak)

San Diegan’s Film Comedy ‘Glass Casa’ Now Streaming on Amazon, Apple and YouTube Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire