Taking their fedoras in hand, they sang their lively opening number, the Yiddish Ale Brider (All Brothers),” dancing joyously, as they sang and watched the precise motions of their music director, Ruth Weber. [Eileen Wingard]
San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir Repertoire Delightfully Varied Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
At a news conference in Palm Springs, Boxer thus joined a group of San Diego County’s Jewish politicians who previously endorsed von Wilpert’s bid to defeat Republican Darrell Issa in the 2026 election. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Political Briefing: November 13, 2025 Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The Torah is teaching us something essential: love is not merely an emotion we fall into. It is something we cultivate. It is born of choice, nurtured through shared purpose, and deepened through acts of kindness and spiritual connection. Yitzchak does not stumble into love; he chooses it. He nurtures it. And through that choice, his heart begins to mend. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.}
Parsha Chayei Sarah: First Commitment, Then Love Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
There was no rabbinic academy then, no definitive text—only scrolls that wandered from town to town like goats, a few psalms humming under their breath, a few laws clean and sharp as a knife’s new edge. Prophets came and went as sandstorms do: sudden, convincing, then gone. The poet—let us call him simply the poet—kept his own counsel, carried a knife and an abacus, and learned the shapes of rumors. [Sam Ben-Meir]
A Short Story: The Poet of Uz Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Sam Ben-Meir, Staff and Bylined Contributors
My father-in-law is a Vietnam Veteran (so was my Dad, z”l) and I am always so humbled when strangers shake his hand, give him a hug, and thank him for his service. It is touching to see people go out of their way to show gratitude for those who risked their lives to fight for our freedom. [Cailin Acosta]
Veterans Day: An Honor to Shake Hands with Those who Served Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In this painting, land animals such as a giraffe exist in harmony with ocean creatures like a sea turtle—each blending with the elements of the other’s world. [Cailin Acosta]
‘Delicate Balance’ Artwork Reminiscent of Noah’s Ark Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
In his Freedom Seder Haggadah, Rabbi Waskow included the song Let My People Go, to which he added an additional verse which ended with what words? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Rabbi Arthur Waskow, z”l Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Jospe’s central thesis is that interreligious pluralism is not only a moral, rational, and political necessity but also a philosophical and theological imperative rooted in Judaism’s own sources. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
‘Accepting and Excepting’: Readable and Profound Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
By the time my sister spoke those words, “I still haven’t figured out how to be two places at once,” I realized that within the walls of our JCC, I had been doing exactly that: physically in one place, yet emotionally, spiritually, and relationally in many. [Betzy Lynch]
Life at the JCC: Many Attractions at the Same Time Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
With everyone gathered around the dinner table reciting the Mourner’s Kaddish in Episode 4 and lighting a yahrzeit candle in memory of family patriarch Ben Silver, my soul felt seen. With Boston Blue, showrunners Brandon Sonnier and Brandon Margolis have successfully delivered a show that is both immediately familiar and surprisingly ambitious. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Television: Black, Jewish and Boston Blue Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & BroadcastNovember is known as Men’s Health Awareness Month. About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. But each person’s risk may vary, based on age, race/ethnicity, and other factors. [Cailin Acosta]
November is Men’s Health Awareness Month Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
Two Democratic candidates already have their hats in the ring: Jewish and gay State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco and Hindu political activist Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. [Donald H. Harrison]
We are descendants of Abraham and Sarah’s son, Isaac. Arabs are descendants of Abraham and Hagar’s son, Ishmael. Abraham, as we know is a man of unconditional faith, and passes on his unquestioned faith and dedication to Hashem to his children, Ishmael and Isaac. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.}
Parsha Vayeira: Visions, Visitors, and Vows Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Perry Arenson spotted this license plate near a local golf course. Tzisit, an alternate spelling for tzitzit, are the strings hanging from a tallit (prayer shawl) worn during Jewish morning services mostly by men, but increasingly by women. [SDJW staff]