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

Rhinerson Touts SDCCD’s Entrepreneurship Program

Rhinerson, who has a long background in public relations and governmental advocacy (lobbying),  also is a board member of the national Association of Community College Trustees, a networking and lobbying group that trades ideas among members and with legislators.  But Rhinerson’s reach even goes beyond that.  While most San Diegans will be asleep at 1:30 a.m. PST Saturday, Dec. 19, he will be on a Zoom Conference call addressing an international conference sponsored by Amity University in Uttar Pradesh, India, on entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in literature and communication. [Donald H. Harrison]

Rhinerson Touts SDCCD’s Entrepreneurship Program Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Why Israel and Morocco Made Public Their Friendship

Morocco and Israel have had cooperative relations for years. Israelis of Moroccan descent have traveled back to see where their families lived, and the small Jewish communities of Rabat and Casablanca were generally respected and left alone. There was trade in the amount of $37 million in 2017, and it is growing. Before the pandemic, nearly 50,000 Israelis visited Morocco annually and more than 2,000 Moroccans visited Israel in 2019. Things were going nicely, albeit quietly—so why make it public now? [Shoshana Bryen]

Why Israel and Morocco Made Public Their Friendship Read More »

Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USA

Israeli Frustration Abounds Amid Coronavirus Missteps

As Israel rolls inexorably towards its third lockdown (or whatever you want to call it), one cannot help feeling more than slightly peeved (British euphemism for bloody angry) as to how and why we have got to this point.

I personally have rarely left my house for the past nine months, and if I do I always wear a mask over my mouth and nose while trying to stay as far away as possible from other people. My hands are sore from constant washing. It’s true that various relatives have occasionally entered the house, but in most cases we have managed to keep our distance from one another, and we never hug and kiss one another. I fear that I have become an anti-social monster, and may never be able to engage in natural social interaction again. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

Editor’s surgery postponed; SDJW will continue publication

As previously reported, I had been scheduled for brain surgery on Dec. 18, but on the recommendation of an anesthesiologist at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Diego, the surgery will be delayed for four to six weeks.  The anesthesiologist was troubled by an X-Ray showing a spot on my lower lung that suggested the possibility of pneumonia. My neurosurgeon informed me today any problem in the lungs can cause serious difficulties during an estimated six-hour surgery in which it’s necessary to insert a  breathing tube will be inserted. [Donald H. Harrison]

Editor’s surgery postponed; SDJW will continue publication Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Talmi, Oslo Philharmonic Perform Bruckner to Perfection

The Israeli conductor and composer, Yoav Talmi, recently had one of his greatest recording successes, Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9, with the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, made available on YouTube, per above. This recording, on the Chandos label,  won the prestigious Grand Prix du Disque in 1987. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

San Diego’s Poet Laureate to Conduct LFJCC Workshop

Thanks to the friendship between Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices Committee member, Michael Mark and San Diego’s Poet Laureate, Ron Salisbury — Salisbury has agreed to lead a workshop for ten poets on January 31, under the auspices of the committee, a program of the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center.
The first ten poets to sign up will fill the ten slots. There will be a nominal charge of $15  per participant. [Eileen Wingard]

San Diego’s Poet Laureate to Conduct LFJCC Workshop Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County

Jen Campbell solidifies her City Council control

City Council President Dr. Jennifer Campbell solidified her control over City Council business by appointing herself and the four councilmembers who supported her for president against Councilwoman Monica Montgomery Steppe to key committee positions. The five councilmembers who voted for her now are the exact same membership of the Rules Committee, which according to the City of San Diego’s website, has responsibility for the “charter, permanent rules of council, open government, elections and ballot measures, annexations, boards and commissions, council initiated matters, communications, customer service and public outreach.” Besides Campbell, who will chair the committee, other members include Raul Campillo, Stephen Whitburn, Marni von Wilpert, and Chris Cate. [Donald H. Harrison]

Jen Campbell solidifies her City Council control Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Florida Celebrates Israel on a License Plate

Only yesterday I published a column about the joy of collecting photos of automobile license plates.  Today, to my pleasant surprise, I received a notice that the State of Florida has issued a specialty plate with the legend “Florida Stands With Israel.”   A sample of the plate may be seen above. [Donald H. Harrison]

Florida Celebrates Israel on a License Plate Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA

Houses of Worship Must Take Own Security Measures

On March 15, 2019, a terror attack at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand claimed 51 lives and wounded another 40 people. A NZ Royal Commission has now released a massive report on the attack, more than 800 pages, the most important point of which is that the terrorist was unknown to authorities until moments before he struck, but that somehow more and better intelligence would help prevent future attacks. In a striking omission, the report fails to consider the role of individual institutions in providing their own security measures—which, in this case, could have saved many lives, maybe all of them. [Shoshana Bryen and Stephen Bryen, The Epoch Times]

Houses of Worship Must Take Own Security Measures Read More »

International, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. Bryen

Learning About America Through License Plates

In the place of stamp collecting, as an adult, I have taken up the hobby of collecting pictures of license plates from throughout the United States and even from other countries.  For Chanukah, I can send them as email attachments to friends who similarly enjoy the hobby, and vice versa.  There are many ways to collect license plate pictures; by state, of course; or by special topics, like breast cancer awareness; honoring veterans and first responders; calls for environmental awareness; and the list goes on. [Donald H. Harrison]

Learning About America Through License Plates Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Travel and Food, USA

Humor, poignancy mark StandWithUs Zoomathon

It had the serious purpose and poignant moments while raising money for the defense of Jewish and pro-Zionist students who are bullied by anti-Semites and Israel-haters in public schools and on university campuses.  But the StandWithUs “Zoomathon,” also offered a refreshing mix of humor and music, perfect for celebrating a night of Chanukah while at home. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

If you don’t believe this is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” take it up with Jewish composers, Eddie Pola and George Wyle (born Bernard Weissman), who wrote the words and music to that hit song in 1963. For many, it’s hard to see just what’s so wonderful about this time of the year. For Joseph, as we read in this week’s parasha, what may have looked like the worst time, would be quite a turnabout. We are reminded of this each year during Chanukah through Mikeitz. The worst time we face, may just be the most wonderful time. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts