Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘The Lost Shtetl’ is a fictional ‘what if?’ novel

Secluded and protected by dense forests and foolish local superstition, the Kreskol community continued to live as though the twentieth century had never happened. The residents still speak Yiddish, observe traditional Jewish customs, and know nothing of the Holocaust, the Cold War, automobiles, electricity, TV, or the Internet. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Old Globe presents ‘Measure for Measure’ in Balboa Park

The basic plot is that Claudio (David T. Patterson) has slept with Juliet (Kayce Wilson) and gotten her pregnant, out of wedlock, which is a crime punishable by death. Angelo (Sam Lilja) the Duke’s cousin and proxy sentences him to death, perhaps because he himself was enamored with Juliet. Claudio’s sister Isabella (Amelia Pedlow), who is a nun in training, comes to Angelo to plead her brother’s case. Angelo offers her an indecent proposal instead. Distressed she runs crying to the Friar (who is actually the Duke in disguise) (Ato Blankson-Wood) who helps her concoct a plan to both save her honor and her brother. Chaos ensues. [Sandi Masori]

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

Judaism has a ‘to do’ list

The negative commandments can often be fulfilled alone. They require restraint. The positive mitzvot, however, requires a relationship. You cannot welcome a stranger without a community. [Betzy Lynch]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Juneteenth has deep meaning, especially for someone born Black and Jewish

To be a person of African heritage and a Jewess is to hold a deep, ancestral understanding of what it means to be pulled from the depths, to celebrate a hard-won liberty, and to remain fiercely determined to stay free. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Bad deal for the U.S. provides everything Iran could have wished for

While reopening the world’s energy chokepoint will help stabilize oil prices, it’s a temporary commitment on the part of Iran, which reaps extensive financial benefits from the deal up front. The United States, meanwhile, is left hoping for a better and more extensive agreement within a two-month negotiating period, which is unlikely to be achieved now that Trump has relinquished nearly all military and economic leverage over Iran. lHalie Soifer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Nusach JFest: Where Broadway, prayer, and the spirit of San Diego soar

Becca Myers transformed Jeremy Gimbel’s scholarly thesis into a lively musical journey, tracing the evolution of Jewish sacred music while educating and celebrating the diverse cultural influences that make San Diego unique.  [Sherrie Rose]

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Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors