AAA-Writers and photographers

Below are the names of writers who are currently active.  For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com

Sept. 11 anniversary coincides with Erev Rosh Hashanah

The 9/11 story is the account of four coordinated terrorist hijackings by 19 al Qaeda militants on September 11, 2001, which killed nearly 3,000 people and targeted the two buildings of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a fourth site thwarted by passengers. (Cailin Acosta)

Sept. 11 anniversary coincides with Erev Rosh Hashanah Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Preserving minority viewpoint assures Judaism doesn’t split into two or more religions

They ask whether teshuvah will be received. The Midrash answers with men no committee would print on a brochure. Cain speaks and half a decree is lifted. Ahab tears his clothes and a sentence is stayed. Manasseh fills the Temple with a four-faced idol; the angels shut the windows. Yet God bores a hole under the Throne, and through that passage Manasseh’s prayer is received, and he repents. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)

Preserving minority viewpoint assures Judaism doesn’t split into two or more religions Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parshiot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Look yourself over

Maybe that is what “choose life” is really asking of us. Not to become perfect, but to become a little more aware of the choices we are making. To pay attention to the way we speak to people. To be willing to apologize. To forgive when we can. To reach out. To let go when it is time. To appreciate the people who are already in our lives. To make room for more kindness, more connection, and more meaning.(Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D,)

Parshiot Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Look yourself over Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Ancient Jewish wisdom has much in common with modern psychology

There is a fascinating connection between ancient Jewish wisdom and one of the most influential approaches to emotional health in modern psychology: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, or REBT, developed by psychologist Albert Ellis, Ph.D. (Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D,]

Ancient Jewish wisdom has much in common with modern psychology Read More »

Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘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]

‘Water’ in an analogy is an element of teshuvah Read More »

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

A welcome contrast between Israel and the French countryside

The place is set in countryside that was once verdant but now, as a result of the recent spells of unaccustomed heat, consists of dried-up fields with boundaries denoted by wilting bushes and the occasional tree. Nonetheless, the village is still a place of tranquility and solace for the anguished souls who normally inhabit a country which is anything but tranquil. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

A welcome contrast between Israel and the French countryside Read More »

Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

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]

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

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

Increasingly western democracies decline to sell arms to Israel

In recent years, several countries have imposed restrictions or suspensions on arms sales to Israel, including the United Kingdom, which suspended 30 out of 350 export licenses in September 2024 due to concerns over international humanitarian law “violations” (Steve Kramer)

Increasingly western democracies decline to sell arms to Israel Read More »

International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA

‘Blurred Vision’: A suspense-filled examination of the working of cults

The sto­ry ignites when vet­er­an Atlantic City Detec­tive Alex Wald­man answers an ear­ly-morn­ing homi­cide call and dis­cov­ers a Black teenag­er with a knife pro­trud­ing from his ribs. The grue­some scene instant­ly res­ur­rects psy­cho­log­i­cal ghosts and unre­solved PTSD Alex has spent twelve years try­ing to bury. [Amy Neustein]

‘Blurred Vision’: A suspense-filled examination of the working of cults Read More »

Amy Neustein, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

September 11: From darkness to light, a Jewish way

There is no single Jewish way to experience September 11. Some will pray. Some will attend a communal gathering. Some will read names or stories. Some will prefer quiet reflection. Some may find the anniversary difficult enough that they need to step away from the news and give themselves space. All of these can be legitimate ways of remembering. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

September 11: From darkness to light, a Jewish way Read More »

Antisemitism, International, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘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)

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

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