San Diego County

A Report from the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition’s Conference

When I first heard of the Zionist Rabbinic Coalition (ZRC), I wondered, “Is it necessary to have an organization for Zionist rabbis?” According to ZRC founder Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, Rabbi Emeritus of B’nai Tzedek Congregation in Potomac, Maryland, I am not alone. He gets that question a lot. (Lisa Rothstein Goldberg)

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Accustoming Young Teens to Appreciate Popular Rock

When I had my twins, I never played “kiddie music” as I called it. I wanted them to grow up listening to the rock classics found on 101.5 KGB and of course my favorite 91.1 91X. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Hypnotist and Improvisational Comedian to Team at San Diego County Fair June 18

After honing his craft as a hypnotist entertaining audiences in a number of venues including cruise ships for Royal Caribbean and others, in 2016 Asad Mecci sent an unsolicited email to improv TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” star Colin Mochrie suggesting they explore a way to work together. (Douglas Friedman]

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San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire

JCC: Celebrating 80 Years of Growing Community Together

Beyond the culinary delights, the evening was a heartfelt homage to the JCC’s rich history. Engaging speeches and a captivating visual presentation chronicled the JCC’s evolution, tracing its roots from the 54th Street location in San Diego’s Rolando area to its vibrant present-day home in La Jolla. The success of the event was a testament to the dedication of its leaders, including event chairs, Adam and Amy Jacob, who addressed the gala guests, and Kira Finkenberg, who also spoke. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Ben Dishman, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: A Call for Justice and Renewal

As the weekend opened, San Diego was stunned by a massive ICE raid on a South Park Italian restaurant. Reportedly, the owner was slammed to the wall, and every employee in the restaurant was handcuffed and held until they could produce proof that they were American citizens or had a work permit. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Law Enforcement Increases Patrols at Jewish Sites in Wake of Colorado Attack

In the wake of a Molotov cocktail being hurled and a makeshift flamethrower being fired at pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, patrols have been stepped up at Jewish synagogues and institutions in San Diego through the Shavuot holiday, according to Bill Ganley, the Community Security Director. [SDJW staff report]

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Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Women in Jeopardy’ Prepare to Retaliate Against Dangerous Man

Women in Jeopardy is a “love letter to mature women who refuse to fade politely into the background,” according to director, Lisa Balderston. Three now-single women enjoy a close friendship of wine dates, fun runs and book clubs, but all of that takes a back seat to their chutzpah! [Eva Trieger]

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

‘A Beautiful Noise’ is a Gem of a Production Portraying Neil Diamond

Those who had never seen Neil Diamond perform live must have felt for the first time the excitement of actor Nick Fradiani’s charm and vocal skills doing a dead-on characterization. This wasn’t an interpretation…you closed your eyes and could swear it was Neil Diamond. [Douglas Friedman]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Soloists, Chorus, and Choir Shine in Mahler’s ‘Ode to Nature’

Mahler’s Third Symphony, An Ode to Nature, opened with a cloudburst of sound as eight horns intoned the opening theme in faultless unison. This longest of symphonies,100 minutes in duration, with six movements, never lost momentum under the energetic conducting of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director, Rafael Payare. [Eileen Wingard]

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

Mental Health Month Tip: Work-Life Balance is Essential

Finding balance in an unbalanced world can be complicated. Life is full of balance in everyday situations. How much time do you dedicate to a task or job and when do you stop and say no? [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Shavuot Program at JCC Features Rabbi/ Cantor Hanan Leberman

For the Treasures from the Music Collection: Shavuot Music program Thursday afternoon, June 5, 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC, I will have as my special guest, Rabbi/Cantor Hanan Leberman, the newly appointed spiritual leader of Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue. He will not only help introduce the program, but will add a few additional songs of Shavuot. The recorded selections will reflect all aspects of this important holiday. [Eileen Wingard]

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