JPlate: 1GINGE
Sandi Masori, our theater and food reviewer, spotted this license plate, which in Hebrew means “one redhead.”
Travel and Food
Jews around the world to celebrate ‘Shabbat for Israel’ April 24
Thousands of individuals across the United States, Canada, Israel, and around the world will unite at private residences, synagogues, and community centers on April 24, 2026, for “Shabbat for Israel,” a coordinated series of intimate Shabbat dinners hosted in honor of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. [Press Release]
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International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Press Release, Travel and Food, USAOur Shtetl: New treatments at Hadassah Medical Org. and Winter Olympics Update
The idea to create the Pediatric Nephrology-Urology Center grew out of the shared vision of the two Hadassah Medical Organization specialists who will be its co-directors, Oded Volovelsky, MD, and Guy Hidas, MD. Dr. Volovelsky heads the hospital system’s Pediatric Nephrology specialty and is President of the Israeli Association for Pediatric Nephrology, while Dr. Hidas heads Pediatric Urology and is President of the Israeli Pediatric Urology Society. [Cailin Acosta]
Our Shtetl: New treatments at Hadassah Medical Org. and Winter Olympics Update Read More »
Cailin Acosta, California, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA‘The Apiary:’ A Cautionary Buzz
Kate Douglas’s The Apiary doesn’t waste time easing you into its premise. It’s 20+ years in the future. Honeybees are nearly extinct. What remains of them exist in synthetic apiaries providing palliative care to a species we’ve failed to save. No bees means no honey, no almonds, no avocados. The food chain collapses one pollinator at a time. [Sherrie Rose]
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Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and FoodHolocaust and hostage survivors have much in common
As we hold tight to the stories of those still alive from the Holocaust, we will be holding tight to the stories of the hostages from Oct.7. They will always show resilience and the power of prayer that helped them survive. (Cailin Acosta)
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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USAIt feels like one big global family as Jews from the Americas and Israel meet in Mexico City
Throughout the visit, we were constantly struck by the powerful sense of connection and peoplehood we experienced. After speaking with the head of the Maccabi program in Guatemala for just five minutes, we had invited one another to visit our homes, and it already felt like we had known each other for far longer. (Heidi Gantwerk)
Parsha Beshalach: You don’t have to be fearless, just faithful
Faith alone is not enough; it must be translated into action. The sea did not split until someone, Nachshon ben Aminadav, stepped forward. The manna did not nourish spiritually unless the people learned to gather it according to Hashem’s law, even when it felt illogical or inconvenient. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodOpinion: Parking fees at Balboa Park work against the attractions
By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California Recently, San Diego’s historic Balboa Park has started charging for parking, which has caused an uproar among many residents who have enjoyed parking for free and spending time at the park’s museums, restaurants, theaters, and gardens. I have a membership at the Mingei International Museum where children under
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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodFeeling pride as I parade the Torah through my congregation
I am always so humbled and honored to be asked and trusted to carry such a sacred possession through the aisles as people kiss their siddurim (prayer books) or tallits (prayer shawls) and touch them to the Torah. [Cailin Acosta]
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Cailin Acosta, California, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAThis weather must be so confusing for the trees
By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California As I drive through my neighborhood in summer-like temperatures. I notice the trees and shrubs appear to be confused. Some appear dormant, with no leaves, while others seem ready to sprout flowers and fruit. Before we know it, the rain and cold temperatures will return, and the trees
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Travel and FoodTale of an oleh: A satisfying life in two countries
I met the most wonderful girl in San Diego. We were married in June 1968. Together we decided our home would be kept Kosher. Being strictly kosher wasn’t a realistic option on a US Navy ship. Some of you know that I was talking with Madeline and said “We will live in Israel after I leave the Navy. Oh, and by the way, Will you marry me?” She agreed. When she was asked, later, about what brought her to Israel, her reply was always “Not what, but who.” [Aryeh Wetherhorn]
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Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAJews in the news: Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
American-Israeli Rabbi Hanan Leberman of Tifereth Israel Synagogue was disinvited from delivering a closing message at the All People’s Breakfast in Balboa Park that will honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on Monday, Jan. 19, causing shock, outrage, and protest from San Diego’s Jewish community. [Donald H. Harrison]
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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USAA cousin’s funeral has her wondering about her own legacy
By Cailin Acosta in La Mesa, California I attended the funeral Friday morning of my second cousin, Russ Christensen, and learned so much about him from all the speakers. When I was a child, he was more like an uncle to me. My husband had to work, but said he enjoyed all the computer programming
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Travel and FoodJewish Federation offers tips for standing up to antisemitism
Jewish Federation of San Diego launched its “Standing Up to Antisemitism Toolkit, an online resource to help individuals respond to antisemitism, report incidents, and empower them to take meaningful action across San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]
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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food