As we continue our journey from Passover to Shavuot through the counting of the Omer, Saturday night we arrive at Day 10, which invites us to explore Gevurah within Tiferet (balanced judgment). [Betzy Lynch]
Balanced judgment and other goals before Shavuot Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Chametz, back to pizza, sandwiches, beer (if you partake). I saw a few friends post on Facebook what a relief it is to go back to leavened bread. [Cailin Acosta]
Jews reclaim leavened products, enjoy chametz feasts Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Aaron and Job stand at opposite poles of the same unbearable truth: when the world collapses, silence can feel like the only honest response—and yet silence can also become a prison. We know this, don’t we? [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Aaron’s silence, Job’s protests–both are honest and holy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Jason Abranches, great-grandson of Portuguese Consul Aristides de Sousa Mendes, and Arturo Levin, whose mother and grandmother were saved by Japanese Consul Chiune Sugihara, will share how ordinary diplomats risked everything to become extraordinary rescuers. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Two diplomats who defied Hitler to be spotlighted at Sunday’s Yom HaShoah commemoration Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center | JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, members of our community will come together to commemorate Yom HaShoah. I urge you to join us for this moving and meaningful event. Many of San Diego’s remaining Holocaust survivors will be there, and I cannot overstate what an honor it is to be in the room with these precious souls. To be in their presence is a privilege we will only have for a short time longer. [Heidi Gantwerk]
The importance of San Diego’s Holocaust commemoration this Sunday Read More »
Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
At the Thursday, April 16, 2:00 p.m. program of Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library: Music of Yom Hazikaron, my guest, Guri Stark, and I will introduce a playlist of 13 recorded songs. [Eileen Wingard]
Lawrence Family JCC to play 13 curated songs about the impact of Israel’s early wars Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Cali notes that his photographs are meant to be lived with. They are not asking for interpretation or explanation. Instead, they offer a space to slow your breath, rest your eyes, and feel a sense of connection. In searching for beauty, he is really seeking moments that feel honest and true. [Cailin Acosta]
Finding beauty in nature at the Cardiff Library Read More »
Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
While the national media often treats the intersection of Black and Jewish identities as a modern novelty, the history of Jews of Color in the Americas is centuries deep. Long before the term “bridge-building” became a social justice buzzword, individuals were living at this intersection, weaving together the traditions of two resilient peoples. I am one of them. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Black/ Jewish solidarity required to defeat racism, antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish History, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Flipping gender perspectives, Ludwig switched up his previous play, Lend Me a Tenor, to tell the story of The Cleveland Grand Opera and their one-night production of Carmen. Lucille Wiley (Wendy Waddell), manager of the company, is elated to welcome the arrival of opera diva of global renown, Elena Firenzi (Britania Cortez). [Eva Trieger]
From the female perspective: ‘Lend Me a Soprano’ Read More »
Eva Trieger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Right before the curtain goes up, there is a voice that tells us that the actors bear an uncanny resemblance to the real Matt and Ben, and they think so too. But once the curtain goes up, you realize the interesting casting choice made by director Maria Patrice Amon, using two women for the parts of both Matt and Ben. [Sandi Masori]
‘Matt and Ben’: A gender-bending production at the New Village Arts Theatre Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Playwright Stephen Metcalfe sensitively and accurately revealed the post-traumatic stress syndrome that veterans live with. At that time the phenomenon was not a household word, nor did it receive a compassionate reception from society (Eva Trieger).
‘Strange Snow’ dramatizes PTSD Read More »
Eva Trieger, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
As leaders committed to protecting the safety and dignity of the Black and Jewish communities in San Diego, we have been in constant conversation about the troubling rise of antisemitism and racism over the past three years. [Fabienne Perlov & Al Abdallah]
Black and Jewish communities must work together to combat hate Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The San Diego Jewish Arts Festival (JFest) announces its 2026 season, marking a major milestone as the festival presents its first year as an independent arts organization. (It previously was produced in association with the Lyceum Theatre.)
May 12-July 14 JFest schedule announced Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Press Release, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastOne, Two … forty-nine. Counting the Omer. Last night, we began the first day of counting the Omer. This leads up to the night before Shavuot, when the Jewish people received the Torah and celebrated freedom from Egypt. I have an app that I download every year, which reminds me to say the blessing, so I don’t miss a day. [Cailin Acosta]
Seven weeks of counting starts now Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food