San Diego County

March 21 Shabbat Dinner Incorporated into Blue Water Film Festival

The event will kick off at 5 PM with opening remarks by Consul General of Austria Michael Postl followed by a Shabbat family style
dinner. Once dinner is completed, screenings of Ripple Effect, Wild City, and San Diego: America’s Wildest City will be shown followed by Q&A discussions with the attending filmmakers. [Press Release]

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International, Israel, Press Release, San Diego County, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Reflections on Turning 60: Being Enough

Then came the “crossing the threshold” ceremony. I was asked to reflect on what I wanted to leave behind in my 50s and what I wanted to welcome into my 60s. The answer came instantly:”enoughness.” I wanted to release the old stories that whispered, “I haven’t done enough,” “I haven’t served enough,” “I haven’t tried hard enough”—all feeding the belief that I am not enough. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Women of the Bible: Esther Was a Courageous Queen

One of my favorite times of the year is coming soon. Each year, I volunteer at the annual Temple Emanu-El of San Diego’s Purim Carnival. I serve my community by handing out tickets and dispensing snacks and drinks to the colorfully costumed and joyful children and their adults. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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

Jewish Community Ally: Iranian-American Dentist Stands with Israel

At a time when advocacy for Israel has become increasingly contentious, Farhoud Rastegar, a dentist with Smile Makeover Center in Mission Valley, has made his position clear: he stands with Israel and its right to defend itself. [Claudia Katsale]

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Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Family Joy of Purim

I also like hearing or reading about the many different flavors of hamentachen. New ones I saw this year were salted caramel and a peanut butter and chocolate one.  Both sound interesting. [Cailin Acosta]

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

California Court Strikes Down Prejudiced Ethnic Studies Courses

The Santa Ana decision came 18 months after a coalition of organizations sued the district in Sept. 2023, accusing it of violating California’s open meetings Brown Act and not protecting the public, including members of the Jewish community, from intimidation and harassment at board meetings. [Marsha Sutton, Times of San Diego]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Four Local Poets/ Musicians to Be Featured at JCC on March 4

The featured presenters will be Poet Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, Song writers Aaron and Milo Wolpoff of Congregation Ohr Shalom, and Poet Rebecca Leeman, student at Torah Hich School. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Alone Together’ is a Coming-of-Middle-Age Drama at Pow-Pac

George (Greg Oberle) and Helene (Helen Lesnick) have spent 30 years raising three sons in a comfortable home in Los Angeles. The boy-men are all capable of completing an education and establishing careers and relationships…at least ostensibly.  Yet, for Michael (Benjamin Jacob), Elliott (Josh Click), and Keith (John McCorkle), successfully living away from Mom and Dad has proved elusive. [Eva Trieger]

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

A Few African-American Jewish Entertainers Noted During Black History Month

Where did February go? It is the shortest month of the year but seems to be packed with the most events and celebrations. One of those being Black History Month. Below are a few African-American Jewish entertainers. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA