Laurie Baron, Ph.D, rounds up streaming programs of Jewish interest for scholars and lay people, from Sunday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Sept. 11
Streaming Jewish Programs (Sept. 6-11) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA
Cindy Bloch and Jean Gaylis will co-chair a Feb. 21 virtual “Hearts of Gold” gala honoring the front line workers “who are ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the residents of Seacrest Village, while providing love and compassion during these challenging times,” according to Anna L. Johnston, events manager of the Seacrest Foundation. [Donald H. Harrison, “Our Shtetl San Diego County”]
‘Hearts of Gold’ gala to honor Seacrest’s workers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
“Schluff Gezunt” a Yiddish expression, means “sleep well.” What a lovely way to put yourself in the best position to sleep well each and every night with a wish from a loved one to sleep well. While that sounds sweet, innocent, and childlike, for millions of people suffering with insomnia disorder and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (delayed type), about a third or more of the population, a simple wish before bedtime unfortunately isn’t enough to promote a restorative night’s sleep, essential for health and wellbeing. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Schluff Gezunt, Sleep Well Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Today, television news reported that there were three more deaths in San Diego County from COVID-19, and that all three victims were in their 80s “with underlying conditions.”
This phrase, “with underlying conditions,” apparently is meant to make some people feel better about the death toll. It sends the message that if you are young and healthy, without any underlying conditions, you’re safe from the disease. But it sends a different message to those of us who are older and have thus far survived our battles with “underlying conditions.” It tells us that if we die from COVID-19, it won’t be so important; it’s less of a tragedy. After all, we had underlying conditions. [Donald H. Harrison]
On behalf of those ‘with underlying conditions’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA
One by one, countries are scrambling to sign billion dollar contracts to buy potential vaccines to Covid-19. At the moment, the development of an effective vaccine is highly questionable, at least according to WHO Secretary General António Guterres and White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, who both stated that an effective vaccine is unlikely in the immediate future, if ever. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Vaccine for Covid-19 must touch the heart Read More »
Lifestyles
As I get closer and closer to departing this planet—being in my mid-nineties is a warning bell—I look around and wonder what will I miss? Actually, this is a stupid question. When I’m dead, I will obviously not miss anything. What is it that makes this so uncomfortable? It is not death itself; it is the leaving of people and things that have mattered. [Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D]
Letting go of our attachments Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
Henry David Thoreau once shared that he had three chairs in his home, “…one for solitude, two for friendship, and three for society.” Doesn’t that provide you with remarkable insight about the value of a chair? Chairs provide comfort, stability, relaxation, style and for Thoreau, “…solitude, friendship and society.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
The Mantell CHAIR method Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Even while back in Petaluma, our family experienced life on the wild side, or better worded: wild-fire side. We awoke to find ashes on the car and all windows in the house closed to protect from the low air quality. As we kept a watchful eye as the Lightning Complex Fires continued to spread, we tried to look at the events around us to see what we could learn to become better people. We looked at the difference between the physical and spiritual. [Rabbi Rafi Andrusier]
Wildfires illustrate difference between spiritual and physical Read More »
Lifestyles, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA
A transition to plant-based diets on the individual level, and away from animal agriculture on the societal level, will not only help prevent another pandemic – it will improve your health, spare animals from suffering, reduce environmental degradation, and even lessen world hunger. [Jeffrey Spitz Cohan]
A vegan response to the coronavirus pandemic Read More »
Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education
A sincere group of people in the movie making industry felt the need to rekindle ties to their Jewish heritage. Aware they had a special talent and perspective to bring to religious worship and celebration of God, they formed their own synagogue up north in Los Angeles. They chose an ordained rabbi from the movie business who was a producer and scriptwriter to be their spiritual leader. He graduated from the same high school as myself, Thomas Jefferson in Brooklyn New York. [Ira Spector]
Entertaining God, Hollywood style Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire
After graduating college in New York, I moved to Seattle. Having finally landed my first job, I was excited to put my aeronautical engineering degree to work and design jumbo jets for a premier aerospace company. Everything was great—Seattle has a thriving Jewish community, a vibrant arts scene, and spectacular nature. However, it also has rain. A lot of rain. Did I mention the rain? [Teresa Konopka]
Making a feline friend in a new sunny city Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka, The World We Share, Travel and Food
The pandemic quarantine began in mid-March. One week later, my mother died in her sleep. She was 97 and lived in New York. I live in California. Our New York daughter “Zoomed” mom’s graveside funeral and we sat shiva online. So much of this time has been trying and sad. We miss our grandkids—even though we see them on FaceTime or Zoom almost every day. And we will forever regret not being able to say a proper good-bye to mom in person. [Irv Kass]
Daily Zoom shul-hopping to recite Kaddish Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
In the novel Decameron, Giovanni Bocaccio wrote about life in the mid 14th century time of the Black Death. So how do we spend our time in a similar period? [Oliver Pollak, Ph.D]
Escape to Wyoming, my personal Decameron Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak, Travel and Food
Overeating, what we are discussing in this column, is not obesity. It’s always important to be aware of what you feed, your head or stomach. So do you know where your hunger really lies? Here’s my handy “Gastronomic Positioning System” to help you locate your hunger above or below your neck. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
What are You Feeding During COVID19? Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Travel and Food