By Mimi Pollack L’Chaim San Diego Magazine SAN DIEGO — My late fiancé, an 8th generation New Mexican, used to tell me about the secret or crypto Jews of New Mexico. He was convinced that although he was raised Catholic, some of his ancestors were “Conversos” or secret Jews who came to New Mexico when […]
Crypto Jews: Finding and Embracing their Roots Read More »
Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
“They want me to sit down and shut my mouth. But I never did do that very well.” -quote attributed to Teddy Roosevelt By Eric George Tauber CINCINNATI, Ohio — When I interviewed Phil Johnson about his solo show in San Diego, A Jewish Joke, he mentioned that he had another project in
Phil Johnson Humanizes Teddy Roosevelt Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Janet S. Tiger SAN DIEGO — Written after the contentious election in 2016, my one-act play Mixed Marriage was a winner in the 4th Annual SDC JCC Five Minute Shorts and has even more relevance today. It all started when I heard of friends – Jewish – where the husband and wife had voted for
‘Mixed Marriage,’ a one-act play Read More »
San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Michael Laitman, Ph.D PETACH TIKVAH, Israel –Online antisemitism is nothing new but now it seems to be widely targeting our vulnerable youth more than ever before. Hidden under false identities, haters freely reveal prejudice, bigotry, and antisemitic views across virtually all the unruled space of social media. Teenagers who identify as Jewish complain of
Tik Tok and the spread of antisemitism Read More »
Lifestyles, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Compiled by Laurie Baron, Ph.D All times Pacific Daylight Time Sunday, October 11 11am Mikhal Dekel, “Tehran Children: A Holocaust Refugee Odyssey,” Ghetto Fighters’ House Museum. Monday, October 12 10 am Elai Rettig, “Israel’s ‘Special Relationship’ with the US,” Israel Center, Washington University. 10 am Eliezer Diamond, “Generosity, Gratitude, and Faith: Rav Eliyahu Dessler’s
Streaming Jewish programs (Oct. 11-16) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — In their first and only televised debate this election season, Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) clashed Wednesday evening, among other topics, over the U.S. role in the Middle East and whether President Trump has condoned white supremacists, and by implication anti-Semitism. While
Middle East, anti-Semitism subjects in V.P. debate Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USABy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — All Times Are Pacific Daylight Time Sunday, October 4 10 a.m. Moshe Halbertal and Eva Illouz, “Can Home Be a Shelter in Times of Pandemic?” The Reading Room, National Library of Israel. Monday, October 5 8:30 a.m. Yossi Beilin and Ido Aharoni, “The Future of Middle East Peace,” Temple
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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — The One and Only Jewish Miss America premiered Sept.8 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. This marked the 75th anniversary of Bess Myerson winning the Miss America pageant. As the name implies, she was and still is the only Jewish woman to win the prestigious
New documentary tells life of Bess Myerson Read More »
International, Sports & Competitions, Teresa_Konopka, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
I completed a presentation to a client in Beverly Hills whose suite was on the top floor of a swanky high rise office building. I entered the elevator and pressed the first floor button. The elevator descended only one floor and the doors opened. In walked Groucho Marx, the world famous comedian, and his financial manager. They moved to the back of the elevator and talked in quiet calm even tones. [Ira Spector]
A brief encounter with Groucho Read More »
Theatre, Film & BroadcastWhen Enlisted Man Stuart Canin boarded a European-bound U.S. Army transport ship near the end of World War II, he carried with him his barracks bag, rifle, and a violin. Challenged by an officer about what he thought he’d need a violin for, Canin, then a teenager, replied “You Never Know.” He was so right. [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County.”
GI Film Festival spotlights a Jewish violinist Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Melanie Rubin, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAReleased today on a variety of streaming services , Extra Innings is the story of a boy who was a very talented baseball player, whose Orthodox Jewish parents not only discouraged him from this pursuit, but also refused to attend any of his games. This was sad because the young man, modeled on writer/ director Albert Dabah’s own life, had natural talent, both as an outfielder and as a batter. [Movie review by Donald H. Harrison]
‘Extra Innings’ is not only a baseball story Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
When we first meet our two protagonists Janine, (Mouchette val Helsdingen) and Zoe (Deja Fields) in Janine’s office at an ‘elite university’ in the Northeast, Zoe is waiting for American History professor Janine to read over and correct her grammar and historical content of the first draft of her history thesis. Zoe is fine with the grammatical corrections but not so much with the corrections about her historical findings. (“I’m afraid you’re in for a substantial rewrite”) Her paper, “A Successful American revolution was only possible because of slavery.” Janine off handedly remarks it’s “one of the more imaginative ideas I’ve seen.” [Play Review by Carol Davis]
‘The Niceties’ in Black and White Read More »
Carol Davis, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBack to work following the two-day observance of Rosh Hashanah, Jewish organizations are paying tribute to the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died at age 87 just before the High Holy Day. Among the tributes were the following: [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”]
RBG’s death prompts Jewish pride, sorrow Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The San Diego REPertory Theatre is reprising via Internet A Weekend With Pablo Picasso, written and performed by playwright-in-residence Herbert Siguenza. Scenic Designer Sam Moore recreates Picasso’s home in Cannes, France, 1957. We come upon Picasso while he is bathing and philosophizing in a clawfoot bathtub. It is awkwardly intimate, yet the artist himself seems perfectly at ease. He can be warm and thoughtful, but also impatient and prickly with outbursts from a hot temper. [Eric George Tauber]
Spend a private weekend with Pablo Picasso Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & Broadcast