Cailin Acosta

Kristallnacht: The Night of Broken Glass

The immediate pretext for the attacks was the shooting of German diplomat Ernst vom Rath in Paris by Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year-old Polish Jewish refugee. After vom Rath died on November 9, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels used the incident to incite violence with Adolf Hitler’s approval. [Cailin Acosta]

Kristallnacht: The Night of Broken Glass Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘The Outsiders,’ inside the Civic Theatre, is a musical about coming of age

Friendship, family, loyalty and the search for belonging take center stage in The Outsiders: A New Musical, the Tony Award-winning production that brings S.E. Hinton’s classic coming-of-age story to life through music, choreography and compelling performances. [Cailin Acosta]

‘The Outsiders,’ inside the Civic Theatre, is a musical about coming of age Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Former Neo-Nazi describes life that led him to Judaism

Meeink described how a childhood marked by instability and abuse led him to embrace white supremacy, how the kindness of a Jewish employer challenged his beliefs, and how discovering his own Jewish ancestry eventually became a central part of his identity. {Cailin Acosta)

Former Neo-Nazi describes life that led him to Judaism Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Should Jews celebrate Halloween?

Given its non-Jewish origins, many Jews question whether celebrating Halloween conflicts with Jewish law. Leviticus 18:3 cautions against adopting the customs of other nations, and some rabbinic authorities argue that Halloween’s pagan associations make participation inappropriate. [Cailin Acosta]

Should Jews celebrate Halloween? Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Zaidy’s Band’ starts as a family quest but concludes as a survey of Canadian Jewish servicemen’s WWII experiences

For journalist Aron Heller, the search for his grandfather’s World War II history began with a mystery within his own family. Mickey Heller, affectionately known as Zaidy, had served four years in the Royal Canadian Air Force, including two years as a navigator in Bomber Command in Europe. Yet despite his grandson’s curiosity, Mickey rarely spoke about his military service. (Cailin Acosta)

‘Zaidy’s Band’ starts as a family quest but concludes as a survey of Canadian Jewish servicemen’s WWII experiences Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Israel: A parliamentary democracy

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Its parliament, the Knesset, has 120 members elected through proportional representation. Voters choose parties rather than individual candidates, and seats are distributed according to each party’s share of the vote. (Cailin Acosta)

Israel: A parliamentary democracy Read More »

Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ ironically depends on timing of the mishaps

The Play That Goes Wrong follows the fictional Cornley University Drama Society as its members attempt to perform The Murder at Haversham Manor. What should be a suspenseful mystery instead becomes a struggle against missing props, malfunctioning scenery, missed cues and other disasters. [Cailin Acosta]

‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ ironically depends on timing of the mishaps Read More »

Cailin Acosta, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Accept an invitation to a formal Shabbat dinner

A Shabbat dinner offers an opportunity to experience Jewish tradition, share a meal, and take a break from everyday busyness. (Cailin Acosta)

Accept an invitation to a formal Shabbat dinner Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, California, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, USA

Holocaust exhibit opens at San Diego Central Library. It’s the forerunner of a permanent museum at Liberty Station

The opening of the exhibit, presented by Remember Us the Holocaust, drew Holocaust survivors, community leaders, elected officials and supporters who gathered to honor those who perished, recognize survivors and celebrate progress toward establishing a permanent home for Holocaust education in San Diego. (Cailin Acosta)

Holocaust exhibit opens at San Diego Central Library. It’s the forerunner of a permanent museum at Liberty Station Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Gambling generally disfavored by Jewish authorities

The Mishnah rules that dice players may be disqualified from serving as witnesses. The Talmud offers two explanations: professional gamblers contribute nothing productive to society, while gambling may constitute theft because losers surrender money they would prefer to keep. (Cailin Acosta)

Gambling generally disfavored by Jewish authorities Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Danielle Alhassid blends archival materials into her art

What can a family photograph, an old cup or a century-old book reveal about lives largely forgotten? For Brooklyn-based Jewish artist Danielle Alhassid, such objects offer a way to recover overlooked voices and explore the connections among Jewish identity, migration, memory and storytelling. (Cailin Acosta)

Danielle Alhassid blends archival materials into her art Read More »

Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA