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
With a sad heart, Tifereth Israel Synagogue announced that Rabbi Mathew Marko will be resigning, effective June 30. He stated in a memo that he will be taking time for personal reasons and to spend time in Israel. [Cailin Acosta]
Rabbi Mathew Marko Resigns Post at Tifereth Israel Synagogue Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
He leads photographic expeditions to in Africa and Central and South America, including Botswana, Costa Rica, and Chile. With his keen insight to animal behavior and his jovial personality, the expeditions are very popular, and sell out quickly. [Mimi Pollack]
Mimi’s Ark: Showing Love for Ramona’s Wildlife Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
Jewishness appears to be an accepted yet unfortunate given in his life, a subject less exciting to his marijuana-enhanced worldview than even that of the similarity of sounds in the English language and how one word may relate to another on a deeper level. [Donald H. Harrison]
Norman Mailer’s Self-Reflections on Weed Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Self-criticism is inherent in a tolerant society that respects the human being as such and reflects on its mistakes and imperfections. Self-criticism is alien to an authoritarian society. Nations that are satisfied with themselves and look to other nations for faults and blame for their failures are stagnant. Jews are dissatisfied, hence they develop. [Alex Gordon]
A Serious Essay about European Jewish Humor Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The MC for the day was Ori Lerer, a student leader at UCSD who owned the stage with his presence. Ruth Mastron came on stage and gave a speech that kicked off the festivities. Shanee Zamir, who was a contestant in Eurovision in 2013 (she went on to win 1st place in the popular vote) sang both the American and Israeli anthems. Right after, Shirim B’Lev Choir invited people in the crowd to come on stage with them and they sang popular Israeli songs. [Miriam Gershenson]
House of Israel Lawn Program Attracts Hundreds of Well Wishers Read More »
Israel, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Eight Druze soldiers have fallen in the terrible Hamas war so far. The Beit Jann community chose to add photographic plates of their fallen to the base of their Lion. They transformed the Lions Trail of Beit Jann into a war memorial for all the fallen Druze of the War. [Jerry Klinger]
The Lion’s Trail – Beit Jann Read More »
Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAHouse of Israel Balboa Park Annual Lawn Program “Celebrating Israel’s Diversity” will be at 11 a.m., Sunday, June 16. There will be non-profit booths, vendors, food, a DJ and some amazing performances including head liner Shanee Zamir. Also performing are The Art of Movement w/Lilian Elbaz, Shirim B’Lev Choir and Israeli Folk Dancing Lessons! [Cailin Acosta]
Remembering Our Good Ol’ Dads & Celebrating Israel’s Diversity Read More »
Cailin Acosta, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Old man Biden/ That old man Biden./ He’s not a hater,/ Would be dictator/That old man Biden./ Why’s he polling behind? [Laurie Baron]
Satirical OpEd: Old Man Biden Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Photographer Fred Kropveld visited Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Friday, June 14, Flag Day. [SDJW staff]
U.S. Flag Day at Tifereth Israel Synagogue Read More »
Fred Kropveld, Israel, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Basically, the show takes us through both Johnny and June’s beginnings, the way they met, how they started touring together and eventually fell in love, though both were married to others at the time. [Sandi Masori]
Songs in ‘Johnny and June’ Memorable, but Narration Lacks Something Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Tenenbom also mocks practices that rational thinkers would consider strange. For example, pious men feel that it is wrong to look at a woman lest they be driven to lust, but women can look at men because they are not so distracted. Also, married women cover their hair so that men do not become attracted to them. However, many buy wigs that make them more beautiful than they ever were before they wore them. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
‘Careful Beauties Ahead!’: Laughing at the Pious Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In Israel, Shabbat is more than just a religious observance; it is a national rhythm that influences the entire country. The word “Shabbat” itself stems from the Hebrew root “shin-bet-tav,” which means to cease or to rest. For Israelis, Shabbat is a time to “sit” and relax, to pause the hectic pace of life and find peace. [Shahar Masori]
An Israeli-American Perspective: Shabbats in Both My Countries Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
“May the Lord bless you and watch over you. May the Lord cause His countenance to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace.” [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Parsha Naso: The Origin of the Priestly Blessing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The silencing of his Jewishness has characterized his entire tenure as president. Mentioning his Jewishness became taboo. Benjamin Disraeli, a baptized Jew, was Prime Minister of Great Britain and openly discussed Jewish issues and wrote novels with Jewish characters. Léon Blum was Prime Minister of France and spoke freely about his Jewishness. Bruno Kraisky was Chancellor of Austria and made no secret of his Jewishness. Walter Rathenau was Foreign Minister of Germany and spoke proudly of his Jewish ancestry. None of them were ashamed of their Jewishness as Zelensky was. [Alex Gordon]
OpEd: Zelensky Keeps a Distance from His Jewishness and from Israel Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast