Books, Poetry & Short Stories

Russian Boy Keeps a Secret under the Table

During the Cold War, people wanted to develop their talents so they could emigrate from Russia and lead a better life. Yevgeny’s father writes poetry, his mother is obsessed with ballet, especially Mikhail Baryshnikov, and his brother Victor was a talented ice skater. The story focuses on finding a talent that Yevgeny can focus on so he can live a better life. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Biography of a Jewish Biographer: Emil Ludwig

Ludwig gained significant fame from his biographical novels Goethe (1920), Bismarck (1921–1926), Napoleon (1924), about Jesus Christ, Der Menschensohn History of a Prophet (1928), Lincoln (1930), Michelangelo (1930), Schliemann (1932), Roosevelt (1938), Beethoven (1943). [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Meaning of the Shofar Blasts

When we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us that G-d created the world, and He is our King. Additionally, when we hear the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, it reminds us to reflect on our past mistakes and return to G-d. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food

Two Jewish Sons in the NFL Prompt Proud Dad’s Memoir

Now comes a memoir by Schwartz’s proud father, an ultimate football fan who estimates he had personally attended some 300 games counting high school, college, and professional contests that Mitchell and his older brother, Geoff have participated in. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘As a Jew’ Tells How Judaism is an Evolving Religion

At its core, the book feels like an inviting crash course in Judaism. Hurwitz doesn’t present texts, history, ethics, or rituals as abstract or academic. Instead, she brings them to life showing how Judaism has always been dynamic, evolving, and deeply rooted in human experience. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

San Diegan Wins Poetry Award from National Federation of Press Women

San Diego poet Jane Muschenetz, a mother of two and Jewish refugee from Soviet Ukraine, has been awarded first place in the 2025 National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) Professional Communications Contest for her poetry collection, Power Point. {Press Release}

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Historical Fiction Celebrates Righteous Gentiles Saving Little Girl from the Nazis

Miss Leive, takes Beatrix to Catholic Mass every Sunday to prove she is not Jewish. The Gestapo, unfortunately, raids Miss Leive’s house and sends her to a concentration camp, but Beatrix escaped, and Lars and Hans find her hiding and do more to keep her safe by keeping the blinds closed and not letting her leave the house. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Mob Takes on American Nazis in This Mystery Novel

Nazis wanted to recruit the baby’s father, aviator Charles Lindbergh, to their cause and figured Hauptmann’s German origins might dissuade Lindbergh from becoming a pro-German, America-First spokesperson who’d argue against American support for Great Britain and its Allies.  (Lindbergh later filled that role.) [Donald H. Harrison]

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

‘The Shabbat Effect’: A Weekly Reset to Restore the Soul

As a Rhodes Scholar, anthropologist, filmmaker, and founder of The Mussar Institute—author of acclaimed works like Everyday Holiness and Climbing Jacob’s Ladder—Morinis presents Shabbat not as a burdensome ritual but as a vital, rejuvenating pause amid modern life’s chaos. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Children’s Book Omits Key Details in Story of Interreligious Harmony

Tilly’s Jewish family hosts an Iraqi Muslim family for a week while the community readies an apartment for the refugee family to occupy. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

The Joan: San Diego’s State of the Art Performance Venue

The $43.5M reinvigoration will provide a permanent home for Cygnet Theatre, as well as providing an urban hub for endless arts including Young Lions Jazz Conservatory and Malashock Dance, San Diego Women’s Chorus and Write Out Loud. The Joan anticipates seeing more than 50,000 visitors enter the auditoriums and explore all that Liberty Station has to offer.  [Eva Trieger]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast