By Raphael Menko SAN DIEGO — For the past month, I’ve been trying to live more intentionally with the character trait called Menuchat HaNefesh — in English, equanimity. I am following a program called Midda a Month put on by the Mussar Institute, which gives readings and meditations to help channel a specific Midda (character […]
Living With Equanimity Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When it all started, just about two years ago, everyone thought that the nasty bug known as Corona, or COVID-19, would soon come to an end. When it didn’t, precautionary measures were put into effect, with lockdowns, quarantine and the wearing of masks. People had to keep a
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When one of my two sisters asked me to try and find a document about our father, who died 20 years ago, I remembered the filing cabinet. Twenty years ago it took my sisters and me many months to sort through his possessions and dispose of them. His
Down the Time Tunnel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. When it comes to mitzvot, we often choose which are more comfortable, which make more sense and ultimately which we will do and not do. But as the Zohar points out, the positive commandments of which there are 248, and the negative commandments of which there are 365, correlate to
Going Beyond Social Graces Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Before we embark on this American journey, let us not forget that there is Jewish life in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, that is well worth remembering. In brief, we can find it at the Centro Social Israelita, the Congregaçion Hebraica de Baja California, and in the Jewish-owned department stores and shops along Avenida de la Revoluçion. [Donald H. Harrison]
Schlepping and Schmoozing along the Interstate 5: Tijuana in the Rear View Mirror Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Every Sunday of 2022, with the permission of San Diego Jewish World’s new publisher and editor Jacob Kamaras, I will be posting an installment of a new book that I am writing, tentatively titled Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5. [Donald H. Harison]
New Sunday Series Will Probe Jewish Stories Along the Interstate 5 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jacob Kamaras, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
I think that most of us have a complicated relationship with Christmas. The lights are pretty, the food is tasty and many of the songs are catchy, but it’s just not our holiday. The über-orthodox just ignore it as it’s no more relevant to them than Diwali, Eid or Buddha’s Birthday, but the vast majority of us don’t live in such an ethno-cultural bubble. When you’re a professional entertainer, this relationship is heightened as it behooves you to own some Santa-themed costume pieces and know the words to Christmas carols. [Eric George Tauber]
Tales of a Jewish Santa Claus Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Who isn’t seduced by a great storyteller? That enveloping sensation of being caught up in the creative, vibrant snare of a gifted word weaver transforms each of us into wide-eyed innocents, eager to share in the spinning of a yarn. Few raconteurs are as talented as the folks at Write Out Loud. [Eva Trieger]
‘Write Out Loud’ Brings Joy of Storytime to Children and Adults Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
My newspaper came today with a large, glossy supplement of ideas for gift giving. I also received several catalogs with holiday gift ideas. Some magazines are even trying to be helpful by designating categories: for the man who has everything, for the woman in your life (a generation ago the suggestion was giving her a vacuum cleaner), gadgets for seniors, and, of course, toys for children, even toys for dogs and cats. Given the ongoing pandemic, we are being urged to buy early in order to avoid predicted supply-chain delays. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
The Motives and Significance Behind Our Gifts Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
To date, nearly two hundred million Americans – just over 60 percent of the population – have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Recent reports indicate that unvaccinated adults are more than three times as likely to lean Republican. In other words, for every unvaccinated Democrat there are roughly three unvaccinated Republicans. An important question then not only for bioethicists but for all of us is whether there exists a moral obligation to vaccinate. [Sam Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Autonomy and the Moral Obligation to Get Vaccinated Read More »
Lifestyles, Sam Ben-Meir, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Dr. Robert Penner, 91, has done a lot of things in his life. He was an ophthalmologist with a private practice in Chula Vista; a colonel in the Army Reserve; president of the San Diego County Medical Society and of the San Diego County Eye Bank; and chairman of the San Diego Port Commission, among other distinctions. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chula Vista Eye Doctor Invents App for the Color Blind Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAMore than 10,000 people turn 65 every day in the United States, and people are living longer. In 2019, the average life expectancy of American men was 76 years, while for women it was 81. Accordingly, I am already living 15 years beyond what is projected. Until very recently, I thought of myself as old, that was until I realized it is my children who are old; I am in a new category called old-old. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
How to Age Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha JosefowitzAfter two weeks in California, with all its delights and attractions, it is a relief to be back in the humble abode that is our home in Israel. In California everything, or almost everything, is large. Most of the homes we visited are grand, the people generous and hospitable, and the wide streets and huge stores provide an array of goods and facilities that keep the mind on constant alert for the next attractive bargain or delightful display. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
California Here I Leave Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA
Levy Van Leeuwen was one of those people at Camp Moshava, who influenced our lives for the better. As a counselor, Levy walked back and forth in the dining hall, leading us in song. In the rustic synagogue, Levy led us in prayer. In our classes on Jewish and Zionist topics, Levy led us in acquiring knowledge. Now it is Levy who is fighting for his life. [Toby Klein Greenwald]
Urgent Surgery for Holocaust Survivor, Psychologist and Educator Levy Van Leeuwen Read More »
Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Toby Klein Greenwald, USA