Lifestyles

Attack on ambulances revives memories of British antisemitism

My first encounter with antisemitism came when I was hospitalized for suspected scarlet fever at the age of ten. The children’s ward contained some 20 beds for both boys and girls, and the treatment we received was coldly efficient. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Antisemitism, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Passover and the unfinished work of freedom

At its core, Passover is not about what happened once. It is about what must be recognized again and again. The command at the heart of the holiday is not simply to remember, but to remember as if you yourself had been enslaved. This is not historical education. It is a transformation of perspective. It refuses the distance that allows us to say: that was then; this is now. Instead, it insists: the structure of that experience still concerns you. [Sam Ben-Meir]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Sam Ben-Meir, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Gali and Ben epitomize the saga of the Jewish people

They got engaged one week before October 7. When the attack began they ran, found a roadside shelter, and held on to each other as terrorists hurled grenades inside. When Gali opened her eyes in the darkness she realized her right leg had been blown off. [Rabbi Shmuly Begun]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Bipolar affliction affects Jewish community

Bipolar disorder is considered a mood disorder that affects emotions, with an up and down challenge of managing situations. Many suffer from extreme highs of mania for periods of time and extreme lows of depression for periods of time. [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, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

In sickness and in health: What really separates us in an interfaith marriage

I had the flu. I mean, I really had the flu. It was so severe that the doctor debated sending me to the hospital. I was dehydrated and depleted and completely not cute! Handsome Hubby pleaded against it, saying he would take care of me and he did yeoman’s work, struggling to keep fluids down me, pulling blankets on me when I was cold, taking them off when I was hot. [Karen Galatz, the Matzo Chronicles]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Thoughts at the conclusion of a district convention of Women of Reform Judaism

It started with the Playing Together Project, bringing together African American and American Jewish neighbors over Shabbat dinners to heal communal divides, and evolved into pitching a Jewish Solidarity Tent at the local Juneteenth Freedom Festival in San Diego. These moments were my “Small Alephs”—quiet calls to serve. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Matzo Chronicles: I be bookish

To accompany these stacks of books, I’ve got reading glasses, highlighters, and lately, in a charming, stylish touch, reading lamps that I plop on my head to illuminate the pages. On the rare occasion I lift my head to engage in conversation, I blind my husband from the glare of the light. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro at Beth Israel discusses listening, faith, and Jewish leadership

Just days after the attack on Temple Israel in suburban Detroit, guests arriving at Congregation Beth Israel for Talking San Diego’s conversation with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro were met with bag checks, wanding, and a visibly increased police and security presence. [Shor M. Masori]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA