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Chen on Joachim’s Stradivarius Provided Visual Accompaniment to the Music

Chen is an excellent violinist and Elizalde contributed outstanding keyboard collaboration. They offered informal commentary before each selection, projecting a feeling of intimacy with the audience which set this apart from formal recitals. In addition, Chen faced the audience as he played, rather than standing in profile. His handsome countenance reflected the spirit of the music. [Eileen Wingard]

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California, Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Enduring Shadow of War: Herodotus, Celestial Omens, and the Quest for Peace

The story of the Battle of Halys River, while potentially embellished with the passage of time, offers valuable insights into the delicate interplay between war and peace. It highlights the potential for unforeseen events, in this case a celestial phenomenon, to disrupt the course of conflict and create an opening for diplomacy. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

Jewish Biography: Leon Trotsky, ‘The Red Prophet’

In 1926 Trotsky, who was engaged in an unequal struggle with Stalin in the Moscow party organization, encountered manifestations of antisemitism on the part of his Bolshevik comrades. In a letter to another Bolshevik leader, Nikolai Bukharin, he asks: “Is this possible? Is it possible that in our party, in the workers’ cells, here in Moscow, people resort to antisemitism with impunity? Is it possible?” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Chuck Todd

Between 1992 and 2007, he worked at The Hotline, hosting webcasts and a weekly show and serving for six years as its editor-in-chief. He also made guest appearances on political talk shows. This led to a job at NBC providing on-air political analysis for the network’s various news shows. Following Russert’s death in June 2008, David Gregory became the host of Meet The Press, and Todd became NBC News Chief White House Correspondent while continuing his on-air political analysis. [SDJW staff]

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News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Jewish Federation’s CEO: ‘Lo Kol B’Seder’ in Israel

Today, I am writing from Sha’ar HaNegev, where just this morning a therapist told me that here, it is still October 7. I can hear Israeli artillery in the background. This morning brought news of four soldiers killed overnight in Gaza. Last night I attended a somber protest focused on the safe return of the hostages. This morning, I attended a meeting of the management team. The sheer number of daunting challenges they are reviewing is overwhelming. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Encouraging Walk in Balboa Park in Support of the Israeli Hostages in Gaza

It was important for me to participate because I’m Israeli and my nation is traumatized. It was important for me to participate because my global Jewish community is in tears. It was important for me to participate because my heart is broken and I’m trying hard to put it back together. It was important for me to participate because I needed to be near people who are experiencing the same. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Picked This Restaurant for its Location; Will Return for its Food

I am constantly on the quest for dream-worthy food.  That is a dish which is so perfectly balanced in all the flavors that after having had it once, it calls to you and you crave it, perhaps even dream about it.  It goes beyond good food, to something that is other-worldly.  And, wow!, the baked pesto eggs is just such a dish.  [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Nurturing Tradition and Inspiring Purpose: The Journey to the LFJCC’s Core Values

The JCC is widely recognized as San Diego’s center for Jewish culture, community, and heritage and a highly sought-after partner for the county’s Jewish (and secular) organizations. We are a hub for Jewish experience and connection with a powerfully realized, extensive, and deeply embedded culture of welcome and engagement for all ages and stages of life; a force for Jewish connection and engagement throughout the region. [Betzy Lynch]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Julius Katz: San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station Worker, Former Roadie for Johnny Mathis

Like many interesting things that happened in his life, Julius Katz had no premonition that he would spend 25 years working in various jobs at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) before retiring in 2002 at the age of 65. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Haym Salomon

He became an agent for the French consul and paymaster for the French forces in North America, who had joined the Americans in fighting the British. In 1781, he worked extensively with Robert Morris, superintendent for Finance in the Thirteen Colonies. The money he raised helped George Washington pay the troops in advance of, during, and after the Siege of Yorktown, the final battle of the Revolution. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Surprise! In This Play, JDate Brings Non-Jews Together

There are some really funny moments, like when Diana tries to explain the math of the rebound formula to Marcy, which after some complicated mathematics seems to be “date the wrong guy for six months and then you will find the right one.”  Of course being a romantic comedy things don’t quite work out according to the formula.   [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Trauma Causes Physical Changes in the Brain Causing It to Overreact in Some Instances

A new study from the University of Haifa has identified specific neutral pathways that create an exaggerated reaction to perceived threats following a traumatic event. The study was recently published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications. [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education