San Diego County

Chutzpah, charm and ‘Calendar Girls’

While most women would feel quite self-conscious posing for photos while scantily clad, Annie’s husband said, “The flowers of Yorkshire are like the women of Yorkshire. Every stage of their growth has its own beauty, but the last phase is always the most glorious.” This sentiment enabled the women to create their calendar shielded by skeins of yarn, cinnamon buns, bunches of grapes and other crafty items. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

American Friends of Tel Aviv University holds first gathering in San Diego County

American Friends of Tel Aviv University held its first San Diego gathering at Monarch Ocean Bar in Del Mar, bringing together TAU alumni for what organizers hope will become a regular local community gathering. [Shor M. Masori]

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Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘Phantom’ production is spooky and memorable

At Broadway San Diego/the San Diego Civic Theatre, the chandelier was irate. It swung violently over the stage, spitting sparks as though it might break loose and land among the actors. The audience roared throughout the evening, especially after the opera performances. (Shor M. Masori)

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San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Looking beyond the favorite High Holiday traditions

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, a recent High Holiday  “Torah and Tea” class taught by Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier at Chabad of East County, encouraged participants to look beyond the familiar traditions of the holiday and consider deeper questions of purpose, identity and connection to Hashem. (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Three’ was the theme at Summerfest’s final concert of the season

Composer Ludwig, grandson of the great Bohemian-born Jewish pianist, Rudolf Serkin, and nephew of American pianist, Peter Serkin, has received commissions from the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra and soloists such as pianist Jeremy Denk and violinist, Jennifer Koh. (Eileen Wingard}

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism by Democratic Socialists of America

The San Diego chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America requires those seeking its endorsement to refrain from any affiliation with what it calls “Zionist lobby groups,” a prohibition that encompasses liberal organizations that criticize Israeli policy and support Palestinian statehood. When the label attaches regardless of what a group advocates, “Zionist” has stopped describing a political position and become shorthand for “Jew.” (Jason Nevarez, Heidi Gantwerk, Sara E. Brown)

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Antisemitism, California, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Water’ in an analogy is an element of teshuvah

A constant need to escape can be another expression of excess water. Always needing to travel, experience something new or get away from one’s current circumstances can prevent a person from finding comfort where they are. Instead of steering the boat, they become like jellyfish carried wherever the tide takes them. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

What kind of year can we help create for someone else?

Here in San Diego County, approximately one in four Jewish households live in or on the edge of poverty. Many struggle quietly. They may even be our neighbors or friends. An illness, job loss, divorce, aging, or one unexpected crisis can suddenly change a family’s life. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

‘Mensa’ unwinds theory that if you put two adults with opposing viewpoints in the room, they’ll eventually come to an understanding

Sophia can diagnose echo chambers and still miss the oldest hatred in the room. She can ask people to listen and still not hear what it means when a Jewish man erases his name to sell certainty to a crowd. She can talk about systems and still treat Jews as a complication rather than as people who can be hunted. (Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel)

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Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Antisemitism still an issue around the world and here in San Diego County

Unfortunately, antisemitism is still an issue around the world and is upsetting to read about in our own San Diego County. The No Place for Hate response is that if you hear something, say something; do not be a bystander, but stand up when hate is encountered. We should support each other. (Cailin Acosta)

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animals, Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Judaism, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

County Assessor Jordan Z. Marks is a role model for 6-year-old son and for fellow Jews

Then Pittsburgh Pirates player Spencer Horwitz came to bat. I proudly pointed him out to my son: “He’s Jewish.” (Jordan Z. Marks)

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Antisemitism, Business & Finance, Holocaust, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Teshuvah vows often fade like secular New Year’s resolutions

For the purposes of the class, the dragon represents the yetzer hara, the internal force that gets in the way of our growth. It is part of us yet can feel as though it is working against us. The yetzer hara may tell us to take the easy path, give in to insecurity, abandon our goals or settle for less than our potential. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors