Lifestyles

‘Spiritual Gardener’ Joyfully Considers Serene Pasttime

He starts each chapter with an excerpt from the Bible or a quote from a famous Jewish thinker.   He starts the book with Gan Eden and relates it to taking action, starting a garden. He cites Genesis 2:15- “Now the Lord G-d took man, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and preserve it.” [Robin Dishman]

‘Spiritual Gardener’ Joyfully Considers Serene Pasttime Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Words of Survivors Will Live on, Though Survivors Will Pass

Although Mary grew up with a secular upbringing in Budapest, she responded “in the camps I prayed. I prayed and I knew God was listening. My mother, a non-religious woman, told me that this is the story of our people- we suffer but have lived through it and have gotten this far- we will continue to survive and live a beautiful life when we’re out of here.” [Ilanit Zakowski]

Words of Survivors Will Live on, Though Survivors Will Pass Read More »

Antisemitism, Holocaust, Ilanit Zakowski, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

StandWithUS Establishes Antisemitism Task Force for San Diego County

The task force’s initial effort will be to persuade local governments in San Diego County, including the City of San Diego, to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism.   [Cailin Acosta]

StandWithUS Establishes Antisemitism Task Force for San Diego County Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors

Today, among his rabbinical duties as a rabbi at the Adventure Judaism Congregation, he prepares 20 students a year for B’nai Mitzvah during a course of study that involves 15 outdoor adventures. The curriculum culminates in a ceremony conducted in an outdoor setting selected by the student. [Jim Winnerman]

Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors Read More »

Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

More Exercisers Do So to Look Good than to Stay Healthy

The researchers found that 23.9% of the users who engage in sports do so to improve their appearance, 18.9% exercise to maintain their physical health, and 16.9% exercise to maintain their mental health. They used artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to scan thousands of posts on the Reddit social network to reach their conclusions. [Press Release]

More Exercisers Do So to Look Good than to Stay Healthy Read More »

Israel, Lifestyles, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Technology

Reflections on Turning 60: Being Enough

Then came the “crossing the threshold” ceremony. I was asked to reflect on what I wanted to leave behind in my 50s and what I wanted to welcome into my 60s. The answer came instantly:”enoughness.” I wanted to release the old stories that whispered, “I haven’t done enough,” “I haven’t served enough,” “I haven’t tried hard enough”—all feeding the belief that I am not enough. [Shayna Kaufmann]

Reflections on Turning 60: Being Enough Read More »

Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Alone Together’ is a Coming-of-Middle-Age Drama at Pow-Pac

George (Greg Oberle) and Helene (Helen Lesnick) have spent 30 years raising three sons in a comfortable home in Los Angeles. The boy-men are all capable of completing an education and establishing careers and relationships…at least ostensibly.  Yet, for Michael (Benjamin Jacob), Elliott (Josh Click), and Keith (John McCorkle), successfully living away from Mom and Dad has proved elusive. [Eva Trieger]

‘Alone Together’ is a Coming-of-Middle-Age Drama at Pow-Pac Read More »

Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Mountain Climbing Mother and Daughter Celebrate Pesach on Top of the World

This is the true story of a Jewish mother-daughter team who have been summiting the world’s mountains ever since Nikki, at the age of 5, climbed Mount Masada in Israel following her mother, Cheryl Bart. [Donald H. Harrison]

Mountain Climbing Mother and Daughter Celebrate Pesach on Top of the World Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Guarding Jewish Teens’ Mental Health

In survey after survey, teens in the U.S. report increasing levels of anxiety, depression, bullying (in person and online), traumatic experiences, and even suicidal thoughts. Ninety-two percent of teens report extended use of screens on a daily basis. And, over 40% report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. [Heidi Gantwerk]

Guarding Jewish Teens’ Mental Health Read More »

Heidi Gantwerk, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA