Becca Myers transformed Jeremy Gimbel’s scholarly thesis into a lively musical journey, tracing the evolution of Jewish sacred music while educating and celebrating the diverse cultural influences that make San Diego unique. [Sherrie Rose]
Nusach JFest: Where Broadway, prayer, and the spirit of San Diego soar Read More »
Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
As Jews, how do we actually practice our faith over the summer?
We sweat, we complain about how much we sweat, we hold off on installing an air conditioner in shul because in 1958, the great-grandfather of the kid who works at Best Buy said something about how his mother’s schnitzel was better than the great-great-grandmother of the current board president’s schnitzel. (Joshua Kail)
Hot Jew summer 5786 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Much of life’s emotional pain comes from trying to control what was never ours to control. We cannot dictate outcomes, rewrite the past, or manage every circumstance. We cannot choose every challenge that comes our way. What we can choose is our response. That is where our real power lies. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Korach: Jealousy was his undoing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Two priority bills led by Jewish California — the nation’s largest statewide coalition of Jewish organizations — cleared key Senate committees Tuesday, marking major steps toward protecting Californians of all faiths from harassment at their places of worship and preventing hate from being distributed under the seal of the State of California. [Press Release]
Two defense bills sponsored by Jewish California advance in state Senate Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA
A few days later, he received a response from the Rebbe: “There is no such thing as ‘a small Jew,’ and a Jew must never underestimate his or her tremendous potential.” [Rabbi Shmuly
A few days later, he received a response from the Rebbe: “There is no such thing as ‘a small Jew,’ and a Jew must never underestimate his or her tremendous potential.” [Rabbi Shmuly Begun]
The Rebbe taught in every Jew there is an indestructible soul Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Fourth-grade teacher Ms. Phillips was recognized for her unwavering dedication to the No Place for Hate program, and her student, Maverick Carroll, for carrying its values beyond the classroom … (Cailin Acosta)
ADL cites two at Carlsbad Unified School District Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Ten spies conclude, “We cannot do this.” Joshua and Caleb see the same reality and say, “It will be difficult, but we must do it anyway.” {Betzy Lynch}
Twelve spies sent by Moses to scout out Canaan have a relevant message for today Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Welcome to akridosis—the Grasshopper Syndrome. A certified Yiddishe classic. If you go around convinced you’re a grasshopper, don’t be shocked when the rest of the world reaches for the Raid. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)
Parsha Shelach Lecha: Grasshoppers and giants Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodThe Torah records one of the most revealing statements in all Tanach: “We were like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so we were in theirs.”
The first half of the verse is understandable. The spies felt intimidated. They felt small in comparison to the challenges before them. But the second half raises an obvious question. How could they possibly know how the inhabitants of the land viewed them? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Shelach: ‘The link is what you think’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
For thousands of years, Jewish teachings have emphasized that true abundance is measured not only by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute. The concept of tikkun olam—repairing the world—calls upon each generation to use its gifts, resources, wisdom, and compassion to elevate the lives of others. (Jennie Edwards Stock and Michael Adam Cohen)
‘Pillars of Power’ draws heavily on Jewish teachings Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Few periods of life are as formative as young adulthood. My undergraduate years profoundly shaped the interests, communities, and convictions that continue to guide me today. Much of that trajectory can be traced back to my involvement in pro-Israel student life on campus. [Karen Klein]
Support for Israel dangerously low among college students Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, News Media, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Chait’s poem, Without You, was inspired by the terrible events of October 7, 2023. Lynch’s poem, To My Shabbat Soul, is full of original imagery, dealing with her relationship to Shabbat, and Rolfe’s poem, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC describes how that element influences our lives… I am also including a poem written by Janice Alper about the traumatic event the day before when three men were killed by two teenagers at the nearby Mosque. [Eileen Wingard]
Shabbat, music, death are subjects for season finale of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe prayer, masterfully sung by Jennifer Meltzer, asks for blessings upon the teachers, upon their students, and upon the students of their students. It reminds us that learning is not simply the transfer of knowledge. It is a relationship, a chain of connection, a sacred partnership between generations. [Betzy Lynch]
JCC’s preschool graduation ignites pride and hope Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The rabbi at the margins must possess every credential the listing demands, and then, on top of that, perform fit. The rabbi at the unmarked center gets to be a fit by default. Everyone else has to earn it on top of the job. You can be twice as qualified and half a candidate. [Rabbi Sandra Lawson]
‘Fit’ bars many Black, Queer rabbis from congregational posts Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA