By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — North Coast Repertory Theatre has resurrected Eleanor Roosevelt from the dead. In the West Coast premiere of Eleanor, actor Kandis Chappell is a one-woman tour de force. Director David Ellenstein has done an amazing job with this impressive show. From the 85-minute visit with the former First Lady, […]
Jews of the Wild West, which ran Wednesday night on KPBS2, was a video quilt with each patch telling the story of 19th or early 20th century Jews who made an indelible contribution to their times. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Jews of the Wild West’ Entertains and Informs Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Many of us grew up with the story of Anne Frank. I read her diary, saw a movie and plays about her, read books by people who knew her, even interviewed one of her contemporaries. Although I was quite familiar with the important role Miep Gies had played in Anne Frank’s life, it was not until I watched this dramatization that I came to understand the intensity of Miep’s experience and the vast contours of her bravery as well as that of her husband Jan. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘A Small Light’ Leaves a Big Impression about the Holocaust Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — I’m going to let you in on a little secret because some secrets are meant to be shared. There is a “little theatre that could” sequestered on the second floor of a small shopping center in the heart of Poway. Above Culley’s Restaurant and a few steps from Bellus
‘Visiting Mr. Green’ is a Hidden Gem in Poway Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
It is a playhouse with good yichus. It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Soul Doctor: Journey of a Rockstar Rabbi is a filmed stage show about the friendship and mutual support between Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach and African-American singer Nina Simone. Starring Josh Young as Carlebach and Nya as Simone, the musical will be shown in more than 600 theatres across the country at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, including selected AMC’s and Regal Theatres in San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]
MGSDII operates parallel programs, with different professors, at San Diego State University, Cal State University San Marcos, and the University of San Diego. One year, an Israeli professor taught at Cal Western Law School. Cumulatively, the universities in San Diego County host the largest ongoing Israel Studies program in the United States, having attracted through the 2022-2023 academic year 43 visiting professors from Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Program Builds Connections Between Israeli Academics and Local Universities Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
In the 90-minute drama actress Elaine Bromka portrays Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford reflecting on their lives and tenures near the end of their husbands’ respective terms as U.S. Presidents. [Donald H. Harrison]
One-Woman Play Profiles Three First Ladies’ Travails in the White House Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Spielberg established the Shoah Foundation, which is headquarters in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California, after making the impactful Holocaust movie Schindler’s List. UC San Diego’s former head librarian Brian Schottlaender, consulting with History Prof. Deborah Hertz, decided during the 2006-2007 academic year to lease the database and to make it available for free to anyone on campus. [Donald H. Harrison]
Workshop Highlights Holocaust Experiences and Research Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology, Theatre, Film & BroadcastU.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) offered these thoughts on surging immigration: “The Biden-Harris Administration has prepared for the end of Title 42, but no amount of planning can make up for the fact that Congress has abdicated its responsibility to pass comprehensive and inclusive immigration reform for decades. [Donald H. Harrison}
The Jewish Eye: Immigration Surge; Sanders Promotes ‘Nakba’ Day Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
There were a couple of standouts, Liz Mikel lit up the stage as Benjamin Franklin. Mikel was the only actor who got a loud roar from the crowd at the curtain call. Mikel’s performance was much stronger than those of the rest of the company. Nancy Anderson did a good job as Thomas Jefferson winning extra points for violin solos. And Kassandra Haddock did an infuriatingly good job at portraying Edward Rutledge, especially as Rutledge tries to protect the right to own slaves. [Sandi Masori]
Gender-Bending ‘1776’ at Civic Theatre Too Slow Read More »
Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & BroadcastU.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has returned to the Senate in a wheelchair after more than a two-month absence while recuperating from shingles. Democrats have needed the vote of the 89-year-old Feinstein on the Senate Judiciary Committee to approve President Biden’s judicial nominees. [Donald H. Harrison]
A jury in the federal courtroom of Judge Lewis Kaplan deliberated less than three hours before awarding former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll $5 million. They found that former President Donald Trump had sexually assaulted her and defamed her, but did not come to the conclusion that Carroll had been raped. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Jewish Eye: Trump Accuser Awarded $5 Million; Debt Ceiling Showdown Continues Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBarry Schneider, a past commander of the Jewish War Veterans, and Combat Antisemitism Movement Adam Beren were among speakers at the Oklahoma State House on Monday when Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a declaration declaring that every May henceforth will be designated Jewish American Heritage Month in Oklahoma. In Virginia, meanwhile, Gov. Glenn Youngkin also declared May to be Jewish American Heritage Month in his state and also signed a declaration adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. [Donald H. Harrison]