Lifestyles

A Stream of Consciousness About the Ever-Changing Values of Our World

*Editor’s note: This column is posted posthumously. By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — I recently read about a Missouri Congressman who was among the majority that voted on a new rule forbidding women from entering the chamber with bare arms, requiring them to cover up. My initial reaction was: “Here we go […]

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion

‘They’re Out to Get Us!’ Conspiracy Theories Against the Elderly

*Editor’s note: This column is posted posthumously. By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — There are definitely conspiracy theories against old people, and I can prove it. Whoever the conspirators are, they just want to make life harder for us seniors. Those of you who are young may not have noticed the terrible

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion

B’Shalom: Body Image, Military History, Baseball Classic, Jewish Political News

Kristine Schomaker’s eating disorder had made her feel “othered” since her girlhood. She tried to imagine herself as a slender blonde but when she looked into the mirror, she saw herself as she was, a very large woman. Rather than hide from her physical presence, she decided to embrace it. She invited 59 fellow artists to depict her in the nude. Sculptures, photographs, paintings, and drawings in various media resulted in an exhibition now being shown through April 13 at the Mesa College Art Gallery. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA

B’Shalom: Restaurant Server Shirts, Jewish Political News

At a growing number of restaurants, there’s more to read than the menu.  The backs of the wait staff’s shirts can teach you Yiddish at a Jewish deli, or engage in some punnery at two Italian restaurants in the eastern part of San Diego and in Santee. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

Breaking the Cycle: Addressing the Link Between Women and Poverty

SAN DIEGO — Poverty is a complex issue that affects people from all walks of life, but it disproportionately affects women. Women are more likely to live in poverty than men, and the gender pay gap is just one factor that contributes to this disparity. According to the World Bank, women make up the majority

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Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County

B’Shalom: Mineral Creations and Schmoozing with Bagels

By day, Carleigh Gold is a commercial contracts attorney, a precise occupation in which she must examine every clause to weigh its legal meaning and possible ramifications.  It is exacting work.  After work hours and on weekends, Gold gets to unleash her creativity.  For nearly 13 years now, she has painted in oils and acrylics, and over the past three years she has developed a new specialty: resin art utilizing minerals and gems found in nature. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Nostalgia: Reminiscing About Similar German and French Childhoods

By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — A few nights ago, I was having dinner with Marianne, a close friend. We were reminiscing about our European childhoods and the surprising similarities in our upbringing. Marianne was born in Germany in 1922. I was born four years later in France. We were eating root

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz

County Humane Society Greatly Expands Under Its Jewish Leader

A visit in December 2021 to Weitzman’s office at San Diego Humane Society indicated that Weitzman, himself, may be the biggest dog lover in the family. “Rosie,” a young German Shepherd, and “Betty” an elderly Pit Bull mix, were ensconced on side-by-side sleeping mats located between his desk and a couch.  Rosie enthusiastically greets visitors, perhaps believing the real purpose of their visit is to see her.  She eventually settles down, taking her place alongside Bett’s mat.  Betty looks up and sighs, as if to say, “She’s a puppy, what can you do?” and placidly closes her eyes again. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share

Sunday Soundoff: Dianne Feinstein, Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl

Congratulations and Kol Hakovod to California’s senior U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 89, who announced on Tuesday, Feb. 14, she will retire at the end of her term.  She was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992 after having served as a county supervisor and mayor of the City/County of San Francisco.  By the time of her scheduled retirement in January 2025, she will have served 32 fruitful years in the Upper House of Congress, a record for women legislators. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, USA

Dealing With Unexpected Challenges of Entering the World of People With Disabilities

By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — A few months ago, I was walking 4,000 steps a day using long strides. Then, one day as I was opening my refrigerator, the handle broke in two and I crashed onto the kitchen floor. An X-ray revealed a compression fraction in the L1 disk of

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Science, Medicine, & Education

Responding to Loved Ones Who Are Thinking of Suicide

Freedenthal says that most people who have suicidal thoughts are not in immediate danger of attempting to kill themselves.  Most are giving serious consideration to the idea but have not gotten to the point where they want to actuate their thoughts.  They are still debating with themselves, and that’s when a supportive friend, family member or partner can help them navigate toward making a life-saving choice. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education

Reps. Jacobs and Eshoo Introduce Act to Protect Abortion Privacy

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Democratic Congresswomen Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Anna Eshoo (CA-16) today introduced the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act to strengthen the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the post-Roe era. The legislation would prohibit medical providers from disclosing personal health information related to pregnancy termination or loss without patient consent. [Press Release]

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Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA