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

Parasha Vayakhel-Shekalim: Teaching One Another in Unity

The name “Betzalel” means “being in God’s shadow,” suggesting that he had attained the level of tzadik and achieved yihud with Hashem. But simply possessing chochmah, t’vunah and daat, simply sharing a unity with Hashem, are not enough. It’s what you do with your education and knowledge to help others, that matters. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Children’s Literature: A Job for an Out-of-Work Monster

Do you remember Puff, the Magic Dragon, about whom Peter, Paul & Mary sang?  Eventually, “painted wings and giant things” gave “way to other toys.” And so it was too with the monster that used to live in Sophie’s closet; Sophie just outgrows him in this tale written for 4-to-8-year-olds by Sandy Asher and illustrated by Alexandra Colombo. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Children’s Story Tells of the Animals Who Helped Noah

This fictional story for children between the ages of three and seven imagines that such animals as beavers, woodpeckers, and alligators helped Noah to build the Ark.  Furthermore, two hedgehogs who were marvelous event planners had matters well in hand, although Noah did not recognize their talents. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Biography: David Friedländer’s ‘Corrected’ Judaism

A year after moving to Berlin, the 21-year-old Friedländer met Mendelssohn and became his pupil and friend. His marriage to the daughter of banker Daniel Itzig, one of Frederick II’s favorites, brought him into the circle of wealthy and influential families of court Jews. In 1778 Friedländer was among the founders of the Jewish public free school Education for Young Men, where Haskalah’s ideals were carried out. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘How I Learned To Drive’ at Backyard Renaissance Theater 

The show is heavy, though there are moments of comic relief and levity.  Throughout the performance driving instructions are used to break up the play and introduce different periods in Li’l Bit’s life.  For example, before a flashback sequence the “Greek chorus” opens the sequence by talking about throwing it into reverse. [Sandi Masori]

‘How I Learned To Drive’ at Backyard Renaissance Theater  Read More »

San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Aesop’s Fables Through a Jewish Lens

Dr. Samuel, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California, translates the fables in a very readable manner that captures our interest and curiosity. He highlights the messages in each Tale and includes the parallel teachings in Jewish wisdom, including quotes from a vast collection of Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers, ancient and modern. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats

“In the 1970s, a weir – a small dam – was built across the mouth and at that time it was for flood control. But after a while the water quality got really bad because it trapped all the river runoff in the lagoon, rather than having tides come in and flushing it out. By virtue of being fresh water – because the weir blocked the salt of the ocean from coming in – it became a great place for cattails to flourish and take over. “[Donald H. Harrison]

Natalie Shapiro’s Tikkun Olam: Protecting Water Habitats Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Embracing Time and 59

Tomorrow, March 3rd, I turn 59. It is mostly significant because it is the eve of 60. Now that’s a wow number. Me? 60? But, I’m not there yet. I am grateful for every year around the sun, despite the larger numbers. It is a gift we are not all blessed to receive. And, each year feels increasingly precious as I am equally aware that this gift of aging could be taken from me at any moment. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

An ‘Escape’ to Tel Aviv

But all Israelis, and not just Jewish citizens, feel the pressure that comes from seeing, hearing, and reading about the daily casualties and the damage being done to our society, financially and socially. So, as a diversion, Michal planned a day trip to Tel Aviv to take our minds off of the situation and to enjoy several hours away from tv, newspapers, and social media. [Steve Kramer]

An ‘Escape’ to Tel Aviv Read More »

Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Mexico City Jews Not Just Affiliated; they Are Part of a Kehilla

Preserving ethnic traditions from Damascus, Aleppo, Eastern Europe, Turkey and other former centers of Jewish life around the world is at the heart of these distinct communities. “Affiliation” does not do their model justice; you are not just affiliated with a synagogue or a school in Mexico, you are part of a true kehillah, a community – complete with schools, sports, financial support, social infrastructure, and more; one where your parents and grandparents likely belonged as well. [Heidi Gantwerk]

Mexico City Jews Not Just Affiliated; they Are Part of a Kehilla Read More »

Heidi Gantwerk, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Murder Victim Described by Rabbis as “Sweet,” and “Extremely Spiritual”

In Sacramento, where the family lived for many years before settling in San Diego, they supported three congregations –one Conservative, another modern Orthodox, and the third Chabad.  Benjamin attended the community’s  Shalom School, which served Jewish children of various denominations from kindergarten through 5th grade. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Redwood’ Dramatizes Jewish Concept of ‘Lo tash’chit’

Prior to Jesse climbing the tree, Becca is trying to get her to leave and suddenly says “Lo tash’chit!” At this point my mind said “Wow, that sounded like Hebrew, but no it couldn’t have been.” But in fact it is.  Becca goes on to explain that it’s a Jewish concept of taking care of the trees as well as you take care of yourself. She’s bageling Jesse, assuming that Jesse is Jewish. [Sandi Masori]

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Jewish Fiction, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

UCSD Faculty Members, Fearing Danger to Jewish Students, Appeal for SJP Event Cancellation

Rachel Millstone, Ed.D, a lecturer in Education Studies at UC San Diego, has called for the cancellation of a planned anti-Israel protest rally  at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, “to prevent hateful, violent acts on the UCSD campus.” [Donald H. Harrison]

UCSD Faculty Members, Fearing Danger to Jewish Students, Appeal for SJP Event Cancellation Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors