Lifestyles

Berkeley Lecturer Found a Sanctuary in San Diego

Recently, as I was traveling and looking for a shul in San Diego for a few weeks I found respite and much more than that at Ohr Shalom near Balboa Park – joy and  inspiration, warmth and hospitality that energized me. [Noam Schimmel]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Turning the Grading Tables on Local Universities

The shoe will be on the other foot for San Diego State, UC San Diego, Cal State San Marcos, the University of San Diego and other 4-year colleges and universities throughout the nation. The Anti-Defamation League has announced it is “developing a new tool to evaluate the climate of antisemitism on individual campuses.” [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘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

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Leaping Into Marriage?

Have you ever met a couple who say, with a smile, that this is their tenth wedding anniversary, but in actuality have been married 40 years.  They are not lying, just bending the truth a little bit.  These are the couples who were married on February 29, which comes around only once in four years — the leap year. [SDJW staff]

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Holocaust, Israel, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort Found His Home in Chasidism

I always laugh when people say Orthodox relegate women to secondary roles. Not in Chabad, baby! It is just not the truth. The rebbetzin is the soul of the place and that is not unique to our house. The children are part of it too. They grow up in shul running around, and now, for us, our grandchildren do. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Our Shtetl San Diego County: TICO Celebrates Its Golden Anniversary

The Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) celebrates its 50th anniversary this season.  The orchestra started at the old Jewish Community Center on 54th Street and changed its name when it moved its home to the social hall of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd., San Diego. [SDJW staff]

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Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Commentary: In a stressful world, let’s work on managing our anger in 2024

Published by Chicago Tribune There is a lot to be angry about. Our political systems are dysfunctional and rife with hateful rhetoric. Headlines about multiple wars abroad are competing for our attention, while at home, we are fighting ideological wars for our basic rights or to protect our communities. A devastating pandemic is grinding through

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Lifestyles, Nordot

New Year’s Wisdom from My Fig Tree

So, what is the New Year’s wisdom from my fig tree? Its seasonal variations remind me that change happens gradually; that nature takes patience and time to produce its fruits – its goals. The tree is not making a resolution to produce a certain number of figs. It cannot. It is unable to control how much water it receives, unforeseen weather patterns, or the quantity and sweetness of the figs it will eventually yield. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jenny Camhi: Building Jewish Community in North County

While not everyone was Jewish, “we had a community ketuba of values” in which it was agreed that “we all come from different faith backgrounds, but we can agree that innovation, caring for one another, caring for the environment, and acting with intention were the things that we all wanted to do. So, we had one of our Hive members create a community ketuba (a written contract, usually for marriages.) We illustrated it and we all signed it.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Ben Dishman, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Javier Guerrero: Growing and Distributing Food in Accordance with Jewish Ethical Teachings at Coastal Roots Farm

After four years heading Coastal Roots Farm, first as executive director, and later as the President and CEO of the independent, nonprofit farm, Guerrero can sling around a lot of Hebrew, some of which may be unfamiliar to non-Hebrew speaking American Jews. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Ben Dishman, Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Demographic Study Underscores Need for Hebrew Free Loan of San Diego

Today, HFLSD offers loans for virtually every path of life, from IVF, Surrogacy and Adoption when starting a family, to helping with Education from preschool through college, to Emergency Loans, to Healthcare loans for both mental and physical ailments, to helping someone bury a loved one. We are there every step of the way! [Graeme Gabriel]

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Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County

Library in City Heights Reflects Ben Weingart’s Values

The late philanthropist Ben Weingart, a prominent businessman and a dedicated advocate for the betterment of Southern California, is remembered in San Diego through the Weingart Branch Library, a cultural and educational hub that serves City Heights, one of the most culturally diverse neighborhoods in San Diego. [Emily Scalmanini]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education