What is important? Important to whom? In terms of what? In terms of people’s philosophy of life? In terms of one’s needs? In terms of one’s strengths? In terms of policy? Or in terms of one’s mental health? [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
Discovering What Is Truly Important Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
By Shayna Kaufmann, PhD SAN DIEGO — Four years ago, my now 20-year-old daughter Tara declared (not asked) that she was postponing college to do a gap year in Europe. She intended to work as an au pair in France in order to speak French, expand her horizons and have a culturally immersive experience. I
Embracing Your Heart’s Yearnings…Before It’s Too Late Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann
I started contributing to San Diego Jewish World in November 2017. About 100,000 words later this is my 102nd story. The ingredients are facts, imagination, inspiration, rigor, memory and the compulsion to write. Wife Karen and editor Don are faithful and critical readers. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]
Thoughts on Organizing: Letter to a Younger Scholar Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak, Science, Medicine, & Education
By the time Dr. and Mrs. Bernardo Stein of Seminole, Florida, and Mr. and Mrs. David Abelson of Oldsmar, Florida, had finished the guest list for the wedding of their children, the number had mushroomed well past 400. By the time Arlyn Stein and Adam Abelson walked down the aisle last Dec. 19, the list of “guests” had shrunk to, well, zero. The entire wedding party consisted of the bride and groom, their parents, three siblings and two grandparents. Oh, and Cooper, their 10-month-old mini-poodle. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
Remembrance of a Covid Wedding Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
I started reading academia novels in the 1960s with Edward Albee’s tempestuous boozy Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf, then the jocular Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis, a hoot, a romp, filled with junior faculty insecurities. [Oliver B. Pollak]
A Jewish Academia Novel Set in 1960 Still Resonates Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver PollakAs I have started to go out to restaurants and stores, I have noticed several instances of unacceptable behaviors towards waiters, salespeople, and other customer-service personnel. The loud blowup about a wrong order or slowness of service made me think about what people feel entitled to, like getting the expected services in a timely manner. In The Boston Globe (7/16/21) I read that “some restaurant owners in Massachusetts described customers who are lashing out at employees when they can’t be seated right away or endure longer wait times for their food.” These customers’ behaviors made the staff cry. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
What Are We Entitled To? Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
Eleven Bnei Menashe couples who immigrated to Israel from northeastern India were remarried in a group ceremony at Shavei Israel’s absorption center near Netanya after completing their formal conversion to Judaism by the Chief Rabbinate. [JNS]
11 Couples From India Re-Marry in Israel Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East
Judeo-Christian theology espouses an immanent, loving God, a celestial coach rooting for each individual’s spiritual growth. Scripture is filled with reminders of this abundant love, with prayers and rituals offering myriad opportunities for returning God’s grace with grateful service. On the other hand, Biblical stories are rife with descriptions of disastrous cause-and-effect chain reactions resulting from arrogance, indifference and infidelity. God’s love includes challenging us with real life responses to our choices. The secret of true love is tough love, the presence of consequences. But it all starts with love. [Sam Glaser]
Spiritual Parenting: The Gift of a Reprimand Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sam GlaserYou swing gently on your trapeze somewhere near the top of the circus tent. It’s comfortable and secure, and then you see the next trapeze hurtling towards you. As you gage the time and the distance, you have to decide when the appropriate moment will come for you to leave the safe bar you’re hanging from and leap into the void, arms outstretched to grasp the empty bar as it swings towards you. [Natasha Josefowitz}
The Trapeze Jumps in Life Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
Attorney Daniel P. Shapiro deeply loved his wife Susan and their three children. He and Susan had enjoyed special moments together; places, songs, meals that ignited memories; meaningful yet unspoken understandings typical of the happily married. And then disaster in the form of a brain hemorrhage happened. Susan slurred her speech, lost her mobility, and seemed unable to relate with the rest of her family. [Donald H. Harrison]
Dual Tragedies of a Patient with a Brain Hemorrhage and Her Caregiver Husband Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles
I personally feel no guilt for having the God-given privilege of being alive. I mourn for my grandparents, uncles, and aunts who perished at the hands of Nazi maniacs; often weeping for not having experienced their love. I cry in anguish when reminded that 6 million of my brethren, young and old, left this earth via gas chambers and crematoriums. I sense the pain of my family and friends who saw their elders shot before their very eyes and their babies hurled against brick walls and bayoneted. I experienced deep anger when I viewed the numbers branded on the arm of my father, of blessed memory. Yet I thanked God for sparing the lives of my beloved parents. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
A Child of Survivors Speaks Out Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Lifestyles
By Faygie Holt (July 8, 2021 / JNS) The countdown started weeks ago, and it’s finally time—time for many to return to sleepaway camp after a year of lockdowns, Zoom school, and separation from friends and family amid a worldwide pandemic. “I’m so happy! It’ll be so nice to see everyone,” said 14-year-old Eliana Menasha,
Jewish campers express relief just ‘getting to be kids again’ Read More »
Lifestyles, USA
I believe some of the most important unsung heroes of non-Orthodox Judaism are the spouses of pulpit rabbis. We don’t pay them, but more often than not, we expect them to devote their lives to our synagogues. We want them to attend every social occasion, be there near the front of the sanctuary on Shabbat evening and morning, to recognize all of us by first and last name, and to be able to chant the blessings before and after the reading of the Torah whenever someone is needed for an aliyah. [Donald H. Harrison]
Let’s Have Compassion for the Rabbi’s Spouse Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USAIt’s the 4th of July and 60 years since, at the age of 17 while in high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve. My parents, refugees from Germany and Austria, reluctantly gave their consent. My family wore British and German uniforms in WWI, in WWII English, Czech and Theresienstadt garb. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]
The Vietnam Generation: A Personal Reflection Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak, San Diego County, USA