Lifestyles

Parshiot Behar & Bechukotai: Do you have that shmittah feeling?

We live in a world that rarely stops. There’s always another email, another obligation, another goal. Even when we “rest,” we’re often scrolling, consuming, distracting ourselves. Stillness can feel uncomfortable. Slowing down can feel like falling behind. And over time, we begin to internalize a dangerous equation: I am what I produce. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Lag B’Omer bonfires unlikely to be doused in San Diego County

We got a little scatter of rain this morning; hopefully, all the exciting bonfires scheduled tonight around the county will not have their fires extinguished by any surprise rain pockets. But the rain is so welcome and needed. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish visitors do not feel at home any longer in France

I told the butcher that I was Israeli and looking for medical help for my daughter. He found the address of a Jewish pharmacy and directed me there. At the pharmacy, I introduced myself, which caused excitement among the Jewish pharmacists. They were thrilled: we are Jews, we are from Israel, and my grandfather was a pharmacist. Miraculously, a prescription for antibiotics for our daughter appeared. Jewish solidarity worked even when the city was idle. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Girl’s family and pets make a discovery on a local beach

One day, when Yoshi, mom, Laggie, and Grillo were beach combing for brightly colored sea glass, they found a shiny green object that stood out from all the other pieces.  When they brought it home, dad said it looked like a gem, more valuable than the others. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Special Mother’s Day of hope: A message gleaned from a very serious wind accident

Suddenly an unexpected gale force wind came along and lifted me from the sidewalk and hurled me 15 feet into the street, right into the path of oncoming traffic. I tried to stand up but my right leg collapsed, feeling like an empty airbag. My hip joint shattered from the fall and I was now stuck on the ground. [Amy Neustein]

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Amy Neustein, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Emor: Stop counting days. Start making them count

I once read a piece that hit me like a truck. It said: If you’re around 35, after subtracting sleep, work, commuting, scrolling, eating, bathroom breaks, doctor visits, and all the other necessary nonsense… you’ve only got about 500 days left of truly free, usable life in the next 35 years. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

England is not what it used to be when I grew up there

There was a sense of solidarity within and between different groups, whether based on religion or ethnicity, and what interested most people was the success or failure of their favorite football team, the comings and goings of the Royal Family and the weather. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Antisemitism, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Former SDSU art history professor writes candidly about her previous life in apartheid South Africa

Berelowitz, who went on to become an art historian and a professor at San Diego State University, combines her personal experiences with meticulous research to paint a portrait of South Africa under the heel of the racist Nationalist party. She never felt she belonged in the country of her birth. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Matzo Chronicles: My personal plagues

I know Passover has passed, but I’m living through a series of personal plagues. They’re not Biblical in proportion, but for mere mortal me, they’re epic and loathsome. Of course, good Jewish wife that I am, I blame my suffering, not on God, but on my spouse. [Karen Galatz, The Matza Chronicle]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Bill introduced to ban demonstrations within 100 feet of Houses of Worship

The SACRED Act would create federal penalties for targeted harassment and engaging in conduct intended to intimidate or obstruct people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, while simultaneously protecting the First Amendment rights of those who seek to protest, picket and/or demonstrate. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Press Release, USA

Current war, domestic politics dampen Israel’s celebration of Independence Day

In the past I would happily watch the broadcast of the official ceremony on television, enjoying the sense of unity and national pride. This year, however, like many other people, I preferred other fare and found a funny movie to watch instead. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA