San Diego County

Bringing Israel to San Diego: The ‘Magic’ of Hosting a Young Emissary

By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — On August 29, Jane Fantel of Carmel Valley posted a heartfelt message on Facebook to mark one year since an “amazing young woman came into my life” — referring to Klil Amar, The Jewish Agency for Israel’s ShinShinit (service year emissary) at the KAVOD Charter School, Congregation Beth […]

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Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County

Botanic Burgers: Creative Kosher Treats, with a Kick

By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — In recent years, the advent of the Impossible and Beyond vegan burger brands has helped fulfill a seemingly impossible dream for the kosher consumer: the taste of an authentic cheeseburger. And that’s exactly what set the stage for my visit this week to Botanic Burgers, the new kosher

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Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, Travel and Food

New Kosher Bakery in La Jolla Offers an Authentic Taste of France

By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — “Why don’t we have kosher restaurants?!?!?” That’s the desperate plea — often reaching a primal scream — issued by San Diegans who strictly observe kosher dietary laws. For those consumers, the recent opening of Parisien Gourmandises at 7643 Girard Avenue in La Jolla is certainly a reason to

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Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County

‘Artists for Good’ Donate Works to Aid Non-Profits

What if immersing yourself in art could create ripples that would beautify someone else’s world?  Imagine simply indulging your inner aesthete and at the same time providing aid and support to a worthy charity. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of local artist, Tanya Abel, you can do just that. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Memorial Service for Former Federation CEO Michael Jeser to be Held August 26

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Heidi Gantwerk, Interim President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, and Jack Maizel, Board Chair of the Federation, today issued the following announcement regarding an upcoming memorial service for former Federation CEO Michael Jeser, who died July 24: Friends, In observance of the conclusion of Sheloshim

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Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County

‘Word Up’ Brings People Together

Let those who are hungry for live performance come and dine at the table of Word Up! These events are part improvised performance, part workshop and part conversation. They are held periodically at the Copley Plaza at the Old Globe in Balboa Park. Feeling homesick and needing to tie up some loose ends, I made aliyah back to my favorite city from Cincinnati and was fortunate enough to catch one performance last Friday. [Eric George Tauber]

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Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Neurotypical and neurodiverse performers team in ‘Stellaluna’

In 1993, Janell Cannon published a children’s book, Stellaluna, about a baby fruit bat who was inadvertently separated from her mother, and subsequently raised by birds. Stellaluna adapted to her new environs, but through happenstance, found herself back with her natal family,  and was overjoyed to learn that her ineptitude as a bird isn’t cause for disappointment or frustration. The young fruit bat gains an understanding that she is unique and can adapt to new situations while retaining her own true identity. It is with this in mind that two brilliant and compassionate teachers created a neurodiverse theater group at New Village Arts.  [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

JFS Names Shreya Sasaki as Family and Community Services Director

Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) has appointed Shreya Sasaki as its new senior director of family and community services to oversee a breadth of JFS initiatives, including refugee resettlement, positive parenting training and other JFS programs that strengthen families. Sasaki will integrate her background in public health with the nonprofit’s social service programs, aiming to improve community health and client outcomes. [Jewish Family Service news release]

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San Diego County

Allen Glick Dies; Trapped by Mobsters Till He Testified Against Them

Allen Glick lived a “full and wonderful life enjoying many global adventures,” said a death notice Thursday in The San Diego Union-Tribune, noting the longtime La Jollan’s Bronze Star from Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and role in special operations. Not mentioned in the 670-word paid obituary: Glick being a formative figure in the Mafia takeover of Las Vegas. [Ken Stone, Times of San Diego]

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San Diego County, USA

San Diego Rep’s ‘57 Chevy:’ A True Celebration of Immigration

By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — What a sweet ride! San Diego Rep’s end-of-summer offering, 57 Chevy, provides not only a cruise down Memory Lane, but reveals the immigrant experience of one man’s family as they assimilated to life in the United States. Cris Franco and co-writer Valerie Dunlap’s story vrooms to life in this one-man

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Philippines’ Rescue of the Jews Presentation Set for August 18

One of the lesser known stories of Holocaust rescue is that of the Philippines, which welcomed refugees from Nazi Germany during the 1930s.  The story is told in the documentary An Open Door: Holocaust Haven in the Philippines produced and directed by Noel “Sonny” Izon and SDSU history lecturer Bonnie Harris, Ph.D. [Beth Israel Men’s Club news release]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, San Diego Calendar