Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Paul Robeson sang in Yiddish

I still remember the rich bass baritone voice of  Paul Robeson singing  “Old Man River” in the 1936 movie Show Boat. That was his song and I thought no one else could match his performance. By chance someone just sent me a link to a recording by Robeson in Yiddish. This is a new one, for me. I further learned he had   recorded several Yiddish songs and often included them in his concerts. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

Paul Robeson sang in Yiddish Read More »

Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

July Fourth, American history, and cultural myths

The Fourth of July is my friend Ben Dishman’s birthday, just as it was the birthday of my late father, Martin B. Harrison.  When both of them were pre-schoolers, their parents fibbed to them that the fireworks and celebrations all were in honor of their birthdays.  Of course, they both believed the story, as it had come from what for them was the source of all knowledge — their parents.  It wasn’t until they were old enough to go to school that they were disabused of the notion by their classmates. [Donald H. Harrison]

July Fourth, American history, and cultural myths Read More »

Ben Dishman, Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Ode to Passion’ Strikes a Chord

Ode to Passion was supposed to premiere at the Queens World Film Festival back in March, but the plague put the kaibosh on that. So it has gone to Amazon Prime Video. It is the first feature-length film by Writer/Director Jack Danini with 19 original songs written in 80s rock-ballad style with shades of country. From the opening strains of a wailing base guitar and a forlorn lover clutching a thorny red rose, we know that this story does not end happily. [Eric George Tauber]

‘Ode to Passion’ Strikes a Chord Read More »

Eric George Tauber, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Six valorous Jewish women of San Diego

When it comes to the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, not even COVID19 can stand up to the chutzpah, commitment and ingenuity of Associate Producer Ali Viterbi and co-writers Leah Salovey, Sarah Price Keating and Becca Myers, Associate Producer of JFest, as they bring us the 11th annual “Women of Valor.”  This virtual show is a tribute to our local women, some unsung and others, banner-waving, who have created a more humane, compassionate, and impactful Jewish San Diego.  [Eva Trieger]

Six valorous Jewish women of San Diego Read More »

Eva Trieger, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Cyber-attackers can’t silence the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Recently our music reviewer Eileen Wingard was able to report on the successful gala concert of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring the actress Helen Mirren along with a host of well-known musicians performing from private venues.  However, not everyone was able to witness the concert live because anti-Israel hackers took it upon themselves to disrupt the program which some 13,000 people from around the world had signed up to watch. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Cyber-attackers can’t silence the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Rabbi Yael Ridberg speaks out for social justice

Rabbi Yael Ridberg, spiritual leader of Congregation Dor Hadash, has added her name to two campaigns now building within the Jewish community.  One, which has attracted leaders of more than 500 synagogues and Jewish organizations, voices solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.  The other, launched by the National Council of Jewish Women, pledges support for education about women’s rights to autonomy over their own bodies. [Our Shtetl San Diego County by Donald H. Harrison]

Rabbi Yael Ridberg speaks out for social justice Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Carl Reiner Left Us Laughing

With all of the obituaries about Carl Reiner’s life and career, I would like to write about what he meant to me personally. In 1994, after a disastrous year with a fledgling theatre company, I was a college graduate working as a waiter in Cincinnati trying to figure my life out. There was a casting call for community theatre at the Jewish Community Center. Why not? [Eric George Tauber]

Carl Reiner Left Us Laughing Read More »

Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Modified Camp Jaycee underway at JCC and Beth Am

Celebrating its 75th year of service to the community, Camp Jaycee opened last Monday, June 22,  at the Lawrence Family JCC and at Congregation Beth Am in Carmel Valley, the first of several locations where satellite camps will be conducted in the county. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Modified Camp Jaycee underway at JCC and Beth Am Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

‘Zehu-Zeh’ revival brings much needed humor to Israel

Back in the day, when my children were young, I would sometimes join them when they watched certain programs on Children’s TV. One of these was Zehu-Zeh (That’s It), which tried to amuse, entertain and educate by means of little skits, songs and quizzes. Let’s face it, most of the programs on Children’s TV were noisy, gaudy American imports, with little or no educational content, though of course Sesame Street was the exception that proved the rule. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

‘Zehu-Zeh’ revival brings much needed humor to Israel Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

How the Arts are changing during the pandemic

During the time of coronavirus pandemic, the people can’t go to theatre, symphonic, or opera performances, or even to an art museum because of the need for social distancing.  So, instead, the performing and visual arts are coming to the people, via Zoom, Facebook, and other Internet channels.  While art organizations are doing so, they are becoming increasingly innovative. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

How the Arts are changing during the pandemic Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Obstacle may be road sign to new career

Sometimes we get frustrated about jobs that don’t go our way, or that we don’t get, or have to leave, especially now. Perhaps this will bring a little hope and perspective to someone going through a difficult time. Perhaps I can pass on some insights I acquired from my personal experience. Twice in my life when I lost something professionally, I also gained something. [Toby Klein Greenwald]

Obstacle may be road sign to new career Read More »

Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Toby Klein Greenwald

Three Jewish Women of Valor

What does being Jewish mean to you? Is it keeping up the practices of an ancient religion? Are the values separate from the prayers or are they symbiotic? Do we wear a Star of David as a symbol of pride or does it make us a target? Ask two Jews and you’ll get three opinions. And we can’t really say that one answer is more valid than another because each one speaks from her own point of view based on her own life. Each of this year’s Women of Valor were interviewed and then had their stories turned into monologues read by actors for the 27th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. [Eric George Tauber]

Three Jewish Women of Valor Read More »

Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Quick, I say ‘peanut butter and …’ What do you say?

Anila Ali, the Pakistani-born leader of the American Muslims Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) on Wednesday moderated a panel that brought together officeholders, law enforcement officers, educators, and Rabbi Peter Levi, Orange County regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, to discuss how communities can overcome biases, bridge gaps, and forge unity. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

Quick, I say ‘peanut butter and …’ What do you say? Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast