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

Judaism and positive mental health

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO –Ever since the 1950’s when Albert Ellis, Ph.D., my teacher and mentor, developed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy/Coaching (the foundation to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Coaching), the mental health field has not been the same. Instead of spending months and years gazing inward and backward with no real behavior change, folks […]

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Michael Mantell

Hand Up Pantry pioneers among JFS gala honorees

First in a series By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – They are of different generations and live on different coasts of the United States, but one can’t help but think of Marsha Berkson and Estee Einhorn as close colleagues who helped to establish Jewish Family Service’s Hand Up Pantry, which offers hungry and homeless

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food

How to protect yourself from almost everything

Rossen to the Rescue; Secrets to Avoiding Scams, Everyday Dangers, and Major Catastrophes by Jeff Rossen; Flatiron Books (c) 2017; ISBN 9781250-119438; 234 pages plus acknowledgments and index. By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson  MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — How can you make sure that neither you nor your near and dear ones are subjected to any of the

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson

Museum examines war bravery, Holocaust brutality

    Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of stories based on editor Donald Harrison’s 50th anniversary cruise with his wife Nancy from Sydney, Australia, back to San Diego, and the people they met and places they visited along the way. By Donald H. Harrison SYDNEY, Australia – Dedicated as the Maccabean

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Travel and Food

Community says farewell to Gussie Zaks, z”l

  By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At a packed funeral service Tuesday, March 13,  at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, the community bade a final farewell to San Diego’s First Lady of Holocaust Survivors, Gussie Zaks. The longtime lecturer, organizer, and educator—who had told her story of survival countless times to students, club members, law enforcement, and

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County

‘Fresh Air’ Art in Borrego Springs

  By Mimi Pollack BORREGO SPRINGS, California — “Plein Air” means fresh air –think outdoors- in French and many painters feel inspired when working outdoors in natural light surrounded by the splendors of nature. The Borrego Art Institute currently has an exhibit called, “Borrego Art Institute 12th Annual Plein Air Invitational.” This exhibit, which runs

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Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Travel and Food

Regev recital elucidates Beethoven

By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson EIN KEREM, Israel — When Ron Regev strides onto the stage to talk about the Beethoven piano sonatas he is about to play, the audience is immediately captivated by his youthful bearing, informal way of talking and encyclopaedic knowledge of his subject. Setting the topic in its musical, historical and philosophical context, he

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Cantor Merel’s life story now on video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KKSf-1YCrQ&feature=youtu.be By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO —  I suppose it’s not unusual for a cantor to be able to sing show tunes and operatic arias in addition to Hebrew prayer melodies.  But when the cantor still can hit the high notes at age 93, that’s truly remarkable. Cantor Sheldon Merel, the cantor emeritus of

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Woodstock, woodwork, and didgeridoos

  By Donald H. Harrison SOLANA BEACH, California – Exploring the Cedros Avenue Design District, Grandson Shor and I happened upon Justin Yasgoor, who was sanding a table top in the basement of the extensive David Alan Collection, which includes furniture and sculptures from various places around the world, particularly Japan and Indonesia. Schmoozing with

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Travel and Food