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
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
Each week (or each day if you feel called), think of someone who has impacted your life, in big or small ways. Start with those closest to you. Even when people “know” we appreciate them, it is still deeply nourishing to hear it spoken aloud. [Shayna Kaufmann]
Tell People How Much You Appreciate Them, Before It’s Too Late Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
November 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
Leventhal, a third generation San Diego native, says that doing volunteer work is something she comes by naturally as it was a value that she learned from her family growing up. [Mimi Pollack]
SDJW Volunteer of the Month: Elizabeth Leventhal Read More »
Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
“Never Again” is vital- we can all agree on that. However, if we stop there, we risk defining our Jewish identity only through tragedy and always needing to be on the defensive. Where is the message that moves us forward? [Ilanit Zakowski]
Finding our Fire from their Ashes Read More »
Holocaust, Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
This response is based on the book of Tanya, a work of the Chasidic movement. It is a book that calls upon the individual to allot a place for pain, but only for discrete periods of time. To control the pain instead of allowing it to control us. [Cailin Acosta]
Challah Bakers Meditate on Controlling Pain Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The BRIDGE Initiative—Building Resilient Identity & Deep Global Engagement—honors that [Chortek family] legacy by investing in the next generation. Over the next five years, the initiative will house a portfolio of high-impact programs at Federation … (Heidi Gantwerk)
Federation Extols 5-Year ‘Bridge’ Program for Jewish Teens Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
One of the major holidays in Hinduism is Krishna Janmashtami, which Israeli Hindus will celebrate next year on September 3 and 4, including the offering of 108 vegetarian meals in honor of the birth of Lord Krishna. What are people who follow both Jewish and Hindu traditions called? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Hindus in Israel Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The movie 31 Candles stars Jonah Feingold as 30-year-old Leo Kadner, who is short and dyslexic, and the woman of his romantic fantasies, Eva Shapiro (Sarah Coffey), who at 6’ 1 ½ is too tall for most male partners as well as for the roles she seeks on Broadway. [Donald H. Harrison]
’31 Candles’ is a Comedy about a Man’s Bar Mitzvah at 31 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
The manuscript of the book Homelandless Patriots is dedicated to the history of individuals who made history. They made history in their professional fields: science, music, literature, art, philosophy, politics. [Alex Gordon]
Sometime after his bar mitzvah, Jason felt isolated from his Jewish classmates because they questioned whether someone could be Black and Jewish. [Donald H. Harrison]
Life Journey of a Jewish African-American Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
One of the most moving stories we heard at our Global Conference for Israel was from the Shem Tov family. Omer Shem Tov, who had been held hostage by Hamas for 505 days, explained the harrowing conditions and sadistic methodologies used by the terrorist group. Yet, he also shared how being there with the other hostages, all of whom came from different backgrounds—religious, secular, right-wing, left-wing, and everything in between—made him realize a profound truth: they were 95% the same. Their shared love for Israel and their courage in the face of adversity brought them together in ways they never imagined possible. [Russell F. Robinson]
3,000 Attend JNF-USA Global Conference Read More »
Israel, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
We come before you in not just grief but fear of what tomorrow may bring. Empty cabinets, growls of hunger, howls of children, undernourishment of families, the indignity and degradation of millions of Americans who’ve had the bread snatched out of their bellies in the midst of a nation of unmatched plenty. [Rabbi Mike Rothbaum]
A Prayer for Those Who Suddenly are in Danger of Starving Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA