Books, Poetry & Short Stories

‘Reclaiming the Sacred’ Shuns Materialism in Favor of Love

The book’s strength lies in its combination of poetic moments and solid policy arguments, reflecting Golden’s diverse background as a professor and nonprofit director. These elements are woven together to form a narrative that is both magical and logical, showcasing Golden’s range as a writer. His varied experiences lend credibility and depth to his insights, making the book not just another spiritual guide, but a substantial piece of literature that offers real, implementable solutions. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Shari Lewis

In 1960, the NBC network signed her for The Shari Lewis Show, which stayed on the air through September 1963. Among her many puppet friends were Lamb Chop, a sock with eyes; Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy.  [SDJA Staff]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Elmo’s Not Good at Dreidel and Other Tidbits from Sesame Place

“Growing, learning, sharing kindness, and acceptance of others” are the watchwords of Sesame Place.  The Sesame Street theme park’s employees say they practice these values whether in day-to-day activities or at special events like last December’s Chanukah celebration that featured playing dreidel with Elmo. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Solidarity Ride Marked 100 Days Israelis Held Hostage by Hamas

Faulconer, now running for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors, commented, “It is a privilege today to ride with 100 others in strong solidarity with Israel and our Jewish community in San Diego.”  Zimmerman said, “Today is the 100th day since the brutal Hamas attack and for the hostages still in captivity.  They must be all be safely returned now.  We pedal in solidarity with our sister city Sha’ar Hanegev and all of Israel.” Essakow pointed out that the riders were of all faiths, who pray for the safe return of approximately 130 hostages.[SDJW staff report]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Families of Hamas Hostages to Speak in La Jolla Jan. 15

“They will share their stories, shedding light on the challenging circumstances they face,” according to an IAC announcement. “Together, let’s raise awareness and advocate for the freedom of our hostages.” [SDJA staff report]

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

A Klezmer Adventure in old Bessarabia

Shloyml Boyml and his band receive an invitation from a rebbe from some distance away to play at his Purim party.  The rebbe requests that the band compose and play on the violin a special Purim melody.  Shloyml is both ecstatic and worried by the invitation.  It’s a great honor to play for the rebbe.  But his band does not have a violinist. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Book excerpt reveals details of Zelensky’s bunker routine during first weeks of invasion

Published by Kyiv Independent President Volodymyr Zelensky was said to have “resembled a walking corpse” in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion, which he did not believe would happen “until the final hours,” the Telegraph reported on Jan. 4 in an excerpt of a book on Zelensky by Time journalist Simon Shuster. Zelensky and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Nordot

Bear Detective Searches in a Novel Way for the Afikomen

This story book was published in plenty of time to purchase and read before the Passover holiday to the children ages 2 to 7 in your families. It focuses on the ceremonial foods of Pesach, most particularly that piece of matzah that is utilized as an afikomen. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

2 Academics, Son of a Journalist to Read Poetry on Jan. 16

The poetry of two academics and one prize-winning journalist will be featured at the next “Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices” in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16.  This free program is co-sponsored by the JCC and the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture.  [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Children’s Book Relates the Odyssey of the Sarajevo Haggadah

Approximately 673 years ago, the Sarajevo Haggadah was given as a wedding present, not in Bosnia but in Spain, where it remained until 1492, when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella expelled those Jews who would not convert to Catholicism.  The ancient and beautifully illustrated narration of the Passover seder was a treasure that the Jewish family carried with it over the generations, first to Italy and later to Sarajevo, Bosnia. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Isaac Asimov

The family immigrated to the United States in 1923 and owned candy stores, where, as youngsters, Isaac, his sister Manya, and brother, Stanley, all worked. The stores stocked science fiction magazines and newspapers, perhaps accounting for Isaac becoming a science fiction writer and Stanley a vice president of Long Island Newsday. [SD Jewish World staff]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: J. D. Salinger

The Catcher in the Rye, featuring the adventures of the cynical Holden Caulfield, was greeted enthusiastically by literary reviewers and by high school teachers, but in other parts of the country, it was denounced as smut because of Salinger’s frequent use of such words as “goddamn,” bastard,” “Chrissakes.”[SDJW Staff report]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA