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
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — To be a Jew is to be a grateful person. As we enter Shabbat with Psalm 92, we read, “It is good to give thanks.” Rabbi Zelig Pliskin teaches, “Living with gratitude elevates your entire life. You become a more spiritual person. You become a more joyful person. […]
Parashat Ki Tavo: An Attitude of Gratitude Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Author Katherine Pangonis notes in her preface to “Queens of Jerusalem: The Women Who Dared to Rule” that “this is a book about women and power.” The wives and daughters of crusader kings and princes in the Holy Land sometimes found themselves in the position of default ruler
‘Queens of Jerusalem’ Book Seeks to Rectify Historians’ Neglect of Women Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East
The plot is simple. The fictional Milia Gottstein-Lasker, the Israeli-based director of the Survivors Campaign who is known in Lithuania as a public enemy, receives an invitation from Darius Vidas, an idealistic Lithuanian professor, to keynote a conference titled “Our Neighbors, Our Friends” about the historic Lithuanian Jewish community that was all but totally wiped out in the Holocaust. [Donald H. Harrison]
Powerful Novel Indicts Lithuanian Role in the Holocaust Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History
On Saturdays, the campus of the San Diego Jewish Academy figuratively is transformed into a nest – in Hebrew, a ken – where some 300 children with mostly Mexican roots are taught in Spanish about their culture, their traditions, and how to be good people, “who will serve the community and practice tikkun olam (repair of the world).” [Donald H. Harrison]
A Nest for the Spanish-Speaking Jewish Community Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
Old-style anthropological museums used to collect things that didn’t belong to them and refused to return these cultural resources to their rightful owners, Micah Parzen, executive director of the Museum of Us, rcently told me during an interview. [Donald H. Harrison]
Step by Step, the Museum of Us Sheds its Colonial Past Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
(Melody: Georgia on My Mind) By Laurie Baron Fulton County, Fani D.A. Racketeering charge Upholds the voters’ will. Georgia, Georgia, There was no fraud. Recounted and judged Despite the protests shrill. False electors did not prevail Now they might serve time in jail, But for now they’re out on bail Until their guilt is proved.
Satire: Georgia, Georgia Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Siguenza, who was formerly the playwright in residence at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, wrote and acted in the one-man play A Weekend With Pablo Picasso which is playing in an encore performance at the New Village Arts theatre in Carlsbad. [Sandi Masori]
Visually Stunning One-Man Show Delights at New Village Arts Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
San Diego Crime Stoppers on Wednesday, Aug. 23, offered a reward of up to $1,000 for help in identifying and locating the suspect who threatened and assaulted Orthodox Rabbi Aharon Shapiro on July 24 inside a 7-Eleven store at 5142 College Avenue. Added to a previous offer of $2,500 from the StandWithUs organization, that brings to $3,500 the amount offered for the suspect’s identification and arrest. [Donald H. Harrison]
$3,500 Reward Offered for Information about Suspect in Attack on Rabbi Aharon Shapiro Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, USA
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz Many years back, I wanted to contact one of my cousins. I didn’t have her phone number and, for the life of me, I couldn’t recall her married name. I wasn’t worried because I knew the information was in my late mother’s address book. But I couldn’t find her
An Old Address Book Holds Numbers, Memories, and So Much More Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, OpinionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha, literally meaning, “When you go out…” opens with a description of facing war with enemies. Maimonides tells us that 72 mitzvot spring from this week’s Torah portion, from weights and measures and collecting debts in a righteous way, to proper ways to divorce, keeping promises,
Parashat Ki Teitzei: Refining Our Souls Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — After seven months on the job, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee set herself up for the winter of Summer, to borrow from “The summer of George” title of a Seinfeld segment. Earlier this month, she traded barbs with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which criticized her decision to boycott
The Potential Fall of Congresswoman Summer Lee, the Squad Member From Pittsburgh Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Jacob Kamaras SAN DIEGO — Earlier this summer, the new Harissa restaurant at the Lawrence Family JCC answered the burning question of “Where’s the beef?” for San Diego’s meat-starved kosher restaurant-goers. Well, as it turns out, lighting has struck twice for the same customer base. A mere two days after San Diego Jewish World published
HaMitbach Brings Authentic Israeli Dining (and Parking!) to Downtown San Diego Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, Travel and Food
What once was a choir featuring the voices of male expatriates from South Africa has become a choir of many international voices performing not only Jewish liturgical music but also secular songs in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew, and English. Choir members hail from countries around the world, among them the U.S., South Africa, France, Guatemala, Mexico, and Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Men’s Choir Brings Joy in Several Languages Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
Greene, Joanne; By Accident: A Memoir of Letting Go; www.shewritespress.com; 177 pages, ISBN: 978-1-64742-444-2. By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — I always find it serendipitous when things fall into my lap when I’m needing them most. Allow me to explain. I’ve just finished reading an autobiographical book by broadcast journalist and talk show host, Joanne
Memoir Offers Lessons in the Journey From Coping to Thriving Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger