Northbound Interstate 5’s last exit in San Diego County is Cristianitos Road, Spanish for ‘the Little Christians.” How did it get such a name, and what might Jewish history have to do with such a place? [Donald H. Harrison]
Her Uncle Abe, the younger brother of her father, played the trombone in the NBC Symphony Orchestra, so a family tradition was to sit quietly around the radio listening to the broadcast of the concerts conducted by Arturo Toscanini, whether or not Uncle Abe had an important solo. Her Bubbie told Abe that he should invite the maestro over to sample her blintzes, but somehow the conductor never realized that pleasure. [Donald H. Harrison]
Nostalgic Memoir Paints Word Portrait of an Era Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
After the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1495, the two largest migrations were to North Africa and to the Ottoman Empire. It was when I first traveled to Romania and Bulgaria (initially researching klezmer) that I met Jews who traced their heritage back to the Iberian Peninsula. Some of these Jews sang songs in Ladino and others played Sephardic music. [Yale Strom]
The new musical Ride, currently playing at The Old Globe, celebrates this revolutionary journey by a woman who may just define moxie, if not chutzpah. [Sandi Masori]
Jewish ‘Girl Power’ Rides into the Old Globe Read More »
International, Jewish History, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
I am constantly on the quest for dream-worthy food. That is a dish which is so perfectly balanced in all the flavors that after having had it once, it calls to you and you crave it, perhaps even dream about it. It goes beyond good food, to something that is other-worldly. And, wow!, the baked pesto eggs is just such a dish. [Sandi Masori]
Picked This Restaurant for its Location; Will Return for its Food Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The new Mercedes racecar was the consistent winner, resulting in increased popularity for the Mercedes line and reflected in the fact that DMG increased the number of its employees from 340 in 1900 to 2,200 in 1904. In 1902, the company decided to call all its cars Mercedes, registering the name on September 26, ten days after its namesake’s 13th birthday. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Emil Jellinek Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
“As many members of the Jewish community make Passover preparations by emptying their cupboards of chametz – leavened products, we invite the entire community to donate these items and more as part of a critical food drive. Hunger is a major challenge facing many San Diegans. As many as 33% of our neighbors do not have enough food to last this month,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins. [Press Release]
JFS Collecting Food for Hungry Prior to Passover Read More »
Philanthropy, Press Release, San Diego County, Travel and Food
Published by DPA Benny Gantz, a member of Israel’s war Cabinet, on Wednesday called for new elections in September, saying it would bolster the country’s international credibility and reduce tensions within Israel’s deeply polarized society. Gantz stopped short of threatening to leave the war Cabinet, which was formed just days after the October 7 Hamas
Israeli war Cabinet member Gantz calls for elections in September Read More »
Israel, Nordot, Travel and Food
When we arrived at our rustic treehouse-like Airbnb, close to sunset, it started pouring rain. We had only been there long enough to see a scorpion in an outside bathroom (really!) and the family of bats “hanging” on the outside porch. Within minutes, it began to loudly thunder and lightning, and the power went out. (And stayed out for the next six hours). The storm was so loud that we couldn’t even hear each other speak. So, we sat in the dark, held hands, and watched and listened to nature’s powerful sound and light show. It was awesome! [Shayna Kaufmann]
Mishaps, Snafus and Yet the Trip to Costa Rica was Memorable and Enjoyable Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
This week, a small group of local community members – including Federation Board members, organizational partners and major donors – are in Israel as part of Jewish Federation of San Diego’s second Solidarity Mission to Israel. Here are the reflections of Carole Yellen, Zvi Weiss, Rabbi Ron Schulman, and David Bark. [Press Release, Jewish Federation of San Diego]
Four Jewish San Diegans Reflect on Their Mission to Israel Read More »
Israel, News Media, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
This week, a small group of local community members – including Federation Board Members and major donors – are in Israel as part of Jewish Federation of San Diego’s second Solidarity Mission to Israel. [Sonia Israel]
Volunteering and Listening with the Heart in Israel Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Published by DPA International Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to shut down local operations of a Qatar-based news channel after Israel’s parliament approved what is known as the “Al-Jazeera law” which allows broadcasters from abroad to be shut down if they are deemed to pose a risk to state security. Israeli lawmakers voted in
Netanyahu seeks to use ‘Al Jazeera’ law to shut down broadcaster Read More »
Israel, Middle East, News Media, Nordot, Travel and Food
There is another traditional Jewish food that is also served on Purim, but which is not as commonly known. What is that food? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Purim Foods Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Star Trek gained fame after it went into reruns, with fans of the show known as Trekkies organizing conventions at which they could meet like-minded enthusiasts, buy Star Trek merchandise, and meet members of the original cast. This development, along with the box office success of George Lukas’ Star Wars in 1977, prompted Paramount Pictures to reunite the cast in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, released in 1979. Five sequels followed, including one he directed: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: William Shatner Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Music and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA