Ten internationally known speakers on Sunday addressed the opening night of a “virtual summit” sponsored by Christians United for Israel (CUFI) in which they lauded the U.S.-Israel alliance and opposed anti-Semitism in its many forms. [Donald H. Harrison]
Israeli leaders warn of Iran at CUFI virtual summit Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, USA
My dues went up for my synagogue. Do we really need as big a building that can sit 500 with three rabbis, a cantor, ten office staff, security, and more? My grandson’s bar mitzvah was canceled. I don’t count a 23-car caravan circling the house as his Aliyah is called by Zoom from the front porch as quite the right experience. [Satire by Jerry Klinger]
Satire: Kvetching in Boynton Beach, Florida Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Barry Jagoda, a retired communications director for UC San Diego, has had a storied media career. He was a producer at various times for CBS and NBC, coordinating coverage for such historic events as Neil Armstrong’s landing on the moon; and the unfolding Watergate crisis and resignation of Richard M. Nixon. With his media savvy, he went on to become a special assistant to Jimmy Carter, initially on the campaign trail and later in the White House. Many of the stars of his era in television media — Walter Cronkite, Ed Bradley, Dan Rather, for example — were on first-name basis with him. As you might imagine, Jagoda has a lot of stories to tell. [Our Shtetl San Diego County by Donald H. Harrison]
Barry Jagoda recalls life at the Carter White House Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
As a retired history professor, I wonder how and what I’d be teaching in the age of Trump. Although I rank him below Andrew Johnson on the worst presidents list, I discern the implications of what he says and does for my pedagogy if I ever resumed my career. [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Lessons from a leader Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Science, Medicine, & Education, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
As everywhere, people are worried in Australia about coronavirus. The number of cases and deaths in Australia is much lower compared with the USA. Partly it is because of our geography, party because of measures implemented by the Government, in particular, border closure. Because of it Chinese officials call us racists. They cancelled several trade deals and told their youths to abandon Australian universities where large numbers of Chinese students studied prior to the pandemic. [Alex Glikin]
Australia also feels the impact of coronavirus, BLM movement Read More »
International, Jewish History, USA
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
Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla is embarking on a campaign to write a Torah scroll which will be gifted to Rabbi Jeff Wohlgelernter and his wife Shoshie Wohlgelernter in honor of their 33 years of service. [Jacob Kamaras]
33 years later, Adat Yeshurun’s founding rabbi to retire July 1 Read More »
International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
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
Thanks to the twisting dynamics of Colorado politics, a Jewish candidate could be key to returning the Senate to Democratic control. In the process, developments in Tuesday’s sharp-elbows Democratic primary could produce some intriguing ironies. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Andrew Romanoff may be key to a Democratic U.S. Senate Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USA
For Jews, there’s one wrinkle in the enjoyment of those long summer afternoons: just in case we are having too much fun, the spoilsport rabbis of yore gave us twenty-two days of semi-mourning smack dab in the middle of waterslide season. [Sam Glaser]
Family vacationing as Tisha B’Av approaches Read More »
Judaism, Lifestyles, Sam Glaser, USAWant to continue your Jewish education. Laurie Baron, Ph.D., tells us what is coming up online.
Streaming Jewish films and lectures Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
In order for us to move forward, we must grapple with our past. It is long overdue that the United States has a truth and reconciliation process. I strongly support Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s proposal to establish the first United States Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation. This Commission will not only acknowledge and memorialize our nation’s brutal history, but also examine the effects of slavery, institutional racism, and discrimination against people of color, and how our history impacts laws and policies today. [Sara Jacobs]
Congressional candidate tells racial justice positions Read More »
San Diego County, USA
I decided to … bring to your attention basic truths that transcend political correctness that few members of the clergy are willing to mention today, lest they be branded as a “white supremacist” or tarred and feathered as a “racist.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Take it from the Bible: All lives do matter! Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
A charming video of Jewish music was shared on Facebook by Cantor Orly Campbell Saturday evening that originated in Los Angeles and included cantors from San Diego, Florida, and Arkansas. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]
A birthday cantorial concert during lockdown Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA