Shor M. Masori

Shor M. Masori is a writer/ photographer for San Diego Jewish World.

Jonah and the possibility of forgiveness

I first heard the story of Jonah in the library at Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School from our librarian, the late Nomi Levy. The kids’ version got the main beats but took out much of the punch. I knew Jonah didn’t want to deliver a message. I thought it was neat that he got swallowed by a big fish, like Pinocchio. But I never questioned why he’d refuse when God was directly telling him to go. Now I can appreciate the philosophical struggle: a prophet sent to help his enemies atone who can’t allow himself to forgive them. (Shor M. Masori)

Jonah and the possibility of forgiveness Read More »

Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jewish California’s six-bill push reaches the governor

Many of the proposals, while intended to address the Jewish community’s concerns, would also help other groups. Muslim and Hindu families would also benefit from the two calendar proposals. AB 1763 would remove the parental written request and principal approval requirements for religious absences. AB 395 covers scheduling conflicts with holidays including Yom Kippur, Eid and Diwali. [Shor M. Masori]

Jewish California’s six-bill push reaches the governor Read More »

California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

American Friends of Tel Aviv University holds first gathering in San Diego County

American Friends of Tel Aviv University held its first San Diego gathering at Monarch Ocean Bar in Del Mar, bringing together TAU alumni for what organizers hope will become a regular local community gathering. [Shor M. Masori]

American Friends of Tel Aviv University holds first gathering in San Diego County Read More »

Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘Phantom’ production is spooky and memorable

At Broadway San Diego/the San Diego Civic Theatre, the chandelier was irate. It swung violently over the stage, spitting sparks as though it might break loose and land among the actors. The audience roared throughout the evening, especially after the opera performances. (Shor M. Masori)

‘Phantom’ production is spooky and memorable Read More »

San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

A tale of three cons

By the morning after Comic-Con, the giant studio wraps and offsites had been dismantled. The Gaslamp sign over Fifth Avenue, which had spent the weekend disguised as an Eastern European gateway for Avengers: Doomsday, was once again the familiar entrance to the Gaslamp Quarter’s main street. More than 135,000 fans had come and gone, taking their costumes, props and collective, humidity-enhanced body odor home. (Shor M. Masori)

A tale of three cons Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Opinion, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Recipients of legacy franchises such as Star Trek should render honor to those who came before

Asked which Roddenberry principle should be carried into the franchise’s next 60 years, Takei chose IDIC, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. He explained that diversity includes the histories people carry, the ways they respond, and what they learn from one another. (Shor M. Masori)

Recipients of legacy franchises such as Star Trek should render honor to those who came before Read More »

Business & Finance, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Comic-Con weighs this era’s impact on fiction writers

Jewish horror writer Max Brooks told the audience at a Comic-Con panel titled “Creature Feature Reboot: Monsters of Horror” that the present is a scary time, though not necessarily a dark one. It is a time of change, and human beings hate the unknown. (Shor M. Masori)

Comic-Con weighs this era’s impact on fiction writers Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Spaceballs: The New One’ prompts belly-laughs in Comic-Con’s biggest venue

The now 100-year-old Brooks opened the panel by video. He joked that he was missing the stage because he was searching the convention floor for a rare Charizard Pokémon card, then explained why he had never attended Comic-Con: “They don’t pay.” {Shor M. Masori]

‘Spaceballs: The New One’ prompts belly-laughs in Comic-Con’s biggest venue Read More »

Jewish History, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Cygnet’s ‘SpongeBob Musical’ brings Bikini Bottom to the stage

Drew Bradford’s Sheldon J. Plankton was my favorite. His voice was a good match for the character’s, and it seemed like he had fun being the maniacal villain. His voice also changed depending on what he was singing. The rap section sounded closer to his speaking voice but was impressive nonetheless. Also, Plankton doing an Eminem-like rap is wild. [Shor M. Masori]

Cygnet’s ‘SpongeBob Musical’ brings Bikini Bottom to the stage Read More »

San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

JFest brings Leonard Cohen’s music, stories, and spirit to The Conrad

Batalla noted that in 2026, Yom Kippur falls on Cohen’s birthday. The following song, “Who by Fire,” was based on the prayer Unetanneh Tokef. He wrote it after the improvised concerts he gave IDF soldiers during the Yom Kippur War. For “Who By Fire,” Batalla introduced the udu, an African water drum, and the guitar-like Middle Eastern oud played by Dimitris Jimmy Mahlis, who toured with her and Cohen. Batalla said Cohen’s touring band always had an oud player and said in the hands of a master it has been called a direct line to God. {Shor M. Masori]

JFest brings Leonard Cohen’s music, stories, and spirit to The Conrad Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …)

When I told my friend, who owns a smart lock, about the product, his ears perked up immediately. He mentioned that this was his biggest issue with his smart lock in India, and if a retrofit existed, he would jump at the chance to get one. [Shor M. Masori]

Wi-Charge (Continuation from Israeli innovators …) Read More »

Business & Finance, International, Israel, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Travel and Food, USA