Most fears fall into three categories: personal, universal, and global. Personal fears are the ones that are common, but not shared by most people. Some of us are afraid of heights, some of flying, others of snakes or of speaking in public. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
An Ever Changing-Inventory of Human Fears Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
A bit of friendly advice for my fellow Jews, and especially those from Israel residing in San Diego. The House of Israel, which has been open continuously in Balboa Park since 1948–the same year Israel was created–is now in danger of losing its charter. The dedicated volunteers who do their best to keep the House open every Saturday and Sunday, as required by the City of San Diego, are wearying. Some are getting too old to maintain that type of schedule; others are experiencing burnout. [Donald H. Harrison]
Will We Lose the House of Israel to Another Nation? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
have been receiving many Barks (the dog equivalent to Tweets) from curious dogs (cats don’t have a monopoly on curiosity!) who wonder why I haven’t written a column since December. Like my human companions, I have been confined at home except for my daily walks. Now that we can return to a semblance of normality, here’s how my life will be different. [Elona Baron as told to Laurie Baron]
On a Dog’s Post-COVID Life Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Since 2018, HAF has partnered with FRÉ Skincare. Founded by Michael Azoulay and Mickael Bensadoun, FRÉ Skincare is a skincare company that emphasizes giving back to the Moroccan community, specifically women. This is achieved through the planting of argan trees in Morocco, specifically in the Province of Essaouira. In essence, planting argan trees serves as the primary means of community building and increased women’s involvement in order to create brighter futures for the community. [Zuha Afzal]
Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) – overnight summer camps in particular – are instituting new wellness safeguards to support both campers and staff, ensuring a successful experience for all. JCC Camps represent the largest network of Jewish camps in North America, at more than 170 sites. Well-being issues also have touched the lives of camp staff members, many of them in later adolescence themselves.. [Mark S. Young]
Lawrence Family JCC, Camp Mountain Chai Participate in National Wellness Program Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced on Thursday the development of a new phone app to help members of law enforcement be more culturally sensitive when they have interactions with any of 12 ethnic and religious groups. The dozen groups include 1) African American Youth; Asian; Chaldean; East African/ Somali; East African/ Somali Youth; Karen/ Karenni (from Burma); Latinx Youth; Mexican and Mexican American; Muslim; Native Americans, Samoans, and Vietnamese. It was not deemed necessary to include Jews among the groups, but I think this was a mistake. [Donald H. Harrison]
App Unveiled to Help Law Enforcement Be More Culturally Sensitive Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
What Jewish beliefs do Jews of all stripes agree on? I would assume that monotheism and Tikkun Olam are two safe guesses. [Rabbi Tuvia Teldon]
Recognizing Small Daily Acts of Tikkun Olam Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
Why do you want to become Jewish? How is Judaism, with its many rules and rituals, a more appropriate religion, than your former religion or lifestyle? How do you identify with the Jewish people in relation to Israel, world Jewry, the local Jewish community, and your local synagogue? These are just some types of questions that people are asked by a Bet Din, a rabbinical court, before their official conversion into Judaism. [Heather Z. Rothstain]
‘Choosing Judaism’ Provides Cheerful and Painful Accounts Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
Saturday, May 15th was Teacher’s Day in Mexico. Teachers were celebrated all over the country. As a retired teacher, I found it the perfect day to go to Tijuana on a delivery run to a migrant shelter built on a canyon in a poorer neighborhood. My friends, Alba Orr who is retired from Grossmont College and Juan Martin Sajche, a Spanish teacher at Morse High School, and I met at my home at 9 a.m.. We filled two cars up with large bags of stuffed animals, different snacks, mandarins, juice boxes, and school supplies. [Mimi Pollack]
Tikkun Olam: Adventures in Tijuana Read More »
International, Lifestyles, San Diego CountyOne day in 1992, I received a phone call from a man who was representing Norwegian Cruise Lines after he had seen me on television. He said one of their ships was about to sail from Miami for a trip around South America; he invited me to be a lecturer on the cruise. The position was unpaid, but the offer included a free cruise for me and my husband in a luxury cabin, the plane trip to and from Miami in business class, and all of our expenses on board would be taken care of. [Natasha Josefowitz]
Adventures as a Cruise Ship Lecturer Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Travel and Food, USA
Wish you had the courage to express your feelings more in your life? Wish you stayed more in touch with friends during your lifetime? Wish you had the mettle to live the life you wanted to live and not the life others thought you “should” live? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Author Tells How to Live Without Regrets Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
“The Happiest Man on Earth,” a memoir by Australian centenarian Eddie Jaku, departs from memoirs by other Holocaust survivors in its contemplation of the role of friendship in enabling prisoners of Nazi concentration camps to survive. [Donald H. Harrison]
Friendship His Key to Survival at Auschwitz Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles
Here are some common scams and tips to stay safe. [Teresa Konopka]
Protecting Ourselves from Common Scams Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Teresa_KonopkaAs we emerge from a year in isolation, we are suddenly thrust into situations we used to take for granted: proximity to others and opportunities to mingle, participate, contribute, to hear and be heard. But we have changed; we are not the same people as of a year ago. The changes in ourselves can be psychological, mental, physical, or fear-related. We must choose whether to accept this and reconcile ourselves to our new identity or to recover who we were. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
Post-Pandemic Dilemmas Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz