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 Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — There was a time when an invitation to a wedding or even a party would arrive in the post, artistically embellished, in an envelope with a stamp, plus a smaller card on which to confirm one’s participation in the event, and information about the time, date, and place. […]
Ceremonies and Celebrations Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — “Music of Refugee Composers” is the final program in the three-part Music of the Holocaust series. The recordings from the collection of the Astor Judaica Library will be played in the library at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center on Thursday, June 1, at 2 p.m. Register here:
Music of Refugee Composers to Complete 3-Part Holocaust Series Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Holocaust, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
At the dedication on Sunday, considerable symbolism was found in a Cohen (believed to be descended from the priests of ancient Judaism) to have built an Ark at a synagogue named after “Betzalel,” which in addition to being the name of Rabbi Trestman’s father also was the name of the person identified in the Book of Exodus as the man who built the Ark of the Covenant, with the help of Oholiab. [Donald H. Harrison]
Eagle Scout Builds an Aron Kodesh for Chabad Congregation Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
It is a playhouse with good yichus. It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Elkins was one of three presenters at a Tikun Leil Shavuot, a Shavuot night study session at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The others were Marcia Tatz Wollner, who spoke about book banning and burning through the ages, and Dr. Seth Krosner, M.D., a critical care surgery specialist, who discussed what Jewish texts have to say about decisions concerning end of life and abortions. [Donald H. Harrison]
Of Robots, Banned Books, Dying, and Abortions Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology
When an acquaintance suggested that she try yoga, Gadd was skeptical at first. “How can that help me?” she asked. “Just come and see,” counseled the acquaintance. Moving her body in specific ways, according to the directions of her yoga instructor, “led to clarity of thought,” she said. Mindfulness helped her “dissipate the stress, the mental shpilkes, something like giving your dog exercise so it can calm down,” Gadd recalled. She found that she left the yoga sessions feeling better, without need for medications. “Deep breathing and so forth can create physiological changes,” she explained. [Donald H. Harrison]
Popular Instructor Says Judaism and Yoga are Complementary Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions
Five members of the Rożeńek family were pulled from their hiding places in 1944 by armed members of a militia, forced to jump from a second-story window, and riddled with bullets on their way down. One member of the family, who was hiding in an outbuilding, observed the massacre and escaped into obscurity. [Donald H. Harrison]
American Investigative Reporter Probes Cases of Jews Murdered by Poles Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s Nakba Day resolution opens with a brazen lie: “…the Nakba is the root cause of the issues that continue to divide Israel and the Palestinian people today.” The Democratic congresswoman’s resolution for May 15 calls for commemorating the 75th anniversary of “Israel’s uprooting, dispossession, and exile
Multiple Nakbas Imposed Upon American Jews Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The Jewish people have a long experience of functioning in absurd situations. The very creation of the State of Israel was an unthinkable event, the realization of an unattainable dream. This is what the struggle between Soviet Jews and the Soviet authorities for the right of repatriation in the
Eugene Ionesco: Rhinoceroses Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — On May 17, San Diegans had the unique opportunity to witness firsthand their tangible impact on saving lives in Israel. Mike Aron, Karen Aron, and fellow members of the local Jewish community gathered at Congregation Adat Yeshurun in La Jolla for the dedication of an ambulance that they
Ambulance Donation Demonstrates ‘Unyielding Bond’ With Israel Read More »
Israel, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Musk is a scent used in perfumes, but the odor emanating from Elon Musk’s interviews and tweets reeks. He describes himself as a “free speech absolutist” except when an authoritarian leader like Erdogan requests that he censor Twitter in Turkey. Since acquiring Twitter, he has welcomed the return of
Satire: The Reincarnation of Henry Ford Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Back in 1874, California pioneer Henry Ebe donated two acres of land for the school that his and his wife Susan’s 11 children would eventually attend. At Susan’s insistence, he made a condition of his donation that the school be called the “New Jerusalem Elementary School.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Short History of the ‘New Jerusalem’ School and Airport in Tracy Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Dr. Avigail Rock’s book (1971-2019) “Great Biblical Commentators,” is a very informative, eye-opening, thought-provoking introduction to 24 of the many rabbis and scholars who commented on the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. All of the many who did so could not be listed in the 426 easy-to-read
An Introduction to Jewish Biblical Commentators Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — “You have to visit Israel to know Israel,” reflects Jacqui Schneider, Jewish National Fund-USA’s Regional President in San Diego. “It is a tiny country on the map, but once you are there, you realize that it has depth, layers, and a diversity of population, climate, and cultures. Each city has