By Bea Carter SAN DIEGO — At first glance, Mitchell Kerbel seems like your typical 23-year-old. The American student lives in San Diego, attends community college and is brushing up on his rusty Hebrew. But one thing about him is different — he is preparing to enlist in Special in Uniform (SIU), a Jewish National
Finding a Special Purpose in Israel Read More »
Middle East, San Diego County
The three-book series offers 90 stories in all – a mosaic of Jewish life, personalities, and influences along the Interstate 5 corridor from the Mexican border to the Orange County line. It has been a pleasure authoring this trilogy, which has been augmented by the photography of Dr. Ben Dishman and Fred Kropveld, two fellow congregants of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. [Donald H. Harrison]
Where I-5 Jewish Stories Are Found Read More »
Ben Dishman, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, San Diego County, Travel and Food
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — In 1621, a tragedy befell England’s Fortune Theatre as it caught fire. However, just two years later, it rose from the ashes, but the actors became known as the Poor Companions. Award-winning actor, director, and producer Richard Baird took on the mantle of Artistic Director of Poor Players Theatre
‘As You Like It’ Brings a Rare Treat to Life Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Sandi Masori SAN DIEGO — Most people recognize the title Pretty Woman from the 1990 film starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Or they may know the song by Roy Orbison. But there’s a new Pretty Woman in town, and it’s a musical! Based on the movie, this Broadway adaptation at the San Diego
There’s a New Pretty Woman in Town — And It’s a Musical Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
This book is a fictionalized account of Jacqueline Semha Gmach’s life in Tunisia and Canada before settling in San Diego where her store of cultural knowledge for many years defined programming at the Lawrence Family JCC. It is also a love story, travelogue, and collection of photos that are dear to Gmach. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Scroll of Ancient Music that Leads to a Romance Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, San Diego County
By Rabbi Simcha Weiser (JNS) The Jewish future relies on the relevance that children find in what we Jewish teachers teach. Soon to be entering the new school year, we need thoughtful clarity for our teaching to remain relevant. As our Jewish educators prepare to “diligently teach our children,” we remind ourselves how privileged we
A Special Privilege to Teach Our Children Read More »
Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – The San Diego Rescue Mission received a donation of $1,800 from Leo Fink, a 13-year-old San Diego resident from Carmel Valley who recently had his bar mitzvah and wanted to give part of his gift money to help his neighbors experiencing homelessness. Leo has been volunteering at the San Diego
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — It’s relatively rare for the top lay leader of a Jewish organization with national or continental reach to be based on the West Coast, let alone in San Diego. That makes the leadership trajectory at the JCC Association of North America all the more unique. In late May,
San Diego Finds Itself at the Center of the Jewish Community Center Universe Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, USA
A member of the Jewish community, known for his self-deprecating sense of humor, Kolender grew up at the Reform Congregation Beth Israel. However, when it was time for his bar mitzvah, he honored his grandfather’s wishes and had it at Beth Jacob Congregation, which is Orthodox. “The rabbi there was Baruch Stern, and it was the first bar mitzvah for him after the war,” Kolender told me back in 1996 when I profiled him for the now defunct San Diego Jewish Press-Heritage. Rabbi Stern’s children “had been killed in front of him by the Nazis, and he started crying and I started crying, and I’m not sure if we ever did get through the whole thing. It was something I never will forget.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Kolender Was City’s First Jewish Police Chief, County’s First Jewish Sheriff Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
(JNS) The land of Israel is “the most misunderstood country on earth,” according to Israeli actress, producer, author, and activist, Noa Tishby, who was recently named the Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism & the Delegitimization of Israel by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As one of the nation’s most popular “positively Israel” keynote speakers,
This chapter is a chance for me to step again from third-person history into first-person history because I was highly involved in the start-up in 1989 of Old Town Trolley Tours of San Diego. It came about because through The Harrison Enterprises, the public relations agency which I owned, I served as the executive director of the San Diego Cruise Industry Consortium. The consortium was created in 1983 under the aegis of Acting Mayor Bill Cleator to attract cruise ships to the Port of San Diego. Previously, I had served as communications director for Cleator during the period he served as a city councilman and acting mayor. [Donald H. Harrison]
How a Sightseeing Company Got its Start in San Diego Read More »
Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Dr. Richard A. Freund passed away in Charlottesville, Virginia on July 14, 2022 from complications arising from the rejection of a bone marrow transplant he had received 18 years ago. He held an MA, PhD, and rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary and the Bertram and Gladys Aaron
Jewish Studies Scholar Richard Freund (1955-2022) Read More »
Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, USA
Recognizing the need for valid and actionable data that serves the entire community, Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Jewish Federation of San Diego County, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center – Jacobs Family Campus, and the Leichtag Foundation have come together to conduct a study of the San Diego and Temecula Jewish community. [Jewish Family Service]
Demographic Survey Planned for San Diego County Jewish Community Read More »
California, San Diego County
The Book of Life symbolizes promises from one generation to the next – – promises that ensure the long-term strength and vibrancy of our Jewish community. The Book itself is a treasured community archive and housed at the Jewish Community Foundation. [Press Release]
‘Book of Life’ Ceremony at Beth Am Aided Jewish Continuity Read More »
California, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA