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 Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—As we exited Violet, a musical now playing at the San Diego Repertory Theatre, my 14-year-old grandson, Shor, said he wished the title characters, Violet as an adult (Hannah Corrigan) and Violet as a child (Katelyn Katz) had been made up with a terrible scar on the right side of […]
‘Violet,’ a musical that gets beneath the skin Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego CountyBy Laurie Baron MARGATE CITY, New Jersey–Donald Trump ejected Univision anchor Jorge Ramos from a campaign rally for asking a question about Trump’s plan to deport 11,000,000 undocumented aliens. Although Trump allowed Ramos to return, the Donald was overheard saying, “Only 10,999,999 left!” * A Colorado judge sentenced James Eagan Holmes to 12 life terms
Humoring the headlines: August 26, 2015 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The Jews That I Knew: Voices From the Invisible Ghetto by Ed Schwartz; Create Space © 2014, ISBN 979-1500-1507-61; 96 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – From its cover to its conclusion, too few pages later, this is a quirky yet enjoyable book. You might get the idea looking at the cover that
Only a shlemiel would judge this book by its cover Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, USA
By Eileen Wingard SHANGHAI, China — In the Ohel Moshe Synagogue, now a museum, the maroon velvet curtain of the Torah Ark bears a gold embroidered inscription: “Tribute to Hongkew People Who Provided Refuge to Jews In Time of Need.” This house of worship was part of the hub of Jewish life in the ghetto
3 waves of Jews came to Shanghai Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish HistoryVatican demands removal from Palestinian flag bid at U.N.(BreakingIsraelNews.com/JNS.org) Despite its recognition of a “State of Palestine,” the Vatican has requested it be removed from a Palestinian-prepared United Nations General Assembly draft resolution that calls for the flags of “Palestine” and the Holy See to be flown at U.N. headquarters in New York City. The
Jewish news briefs: August 26, 2015 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAChanging the Immutable: How Orthodox Judaism Rewrites Its History by Marc B. Shapiro, Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, Portland, Oregon; ISBN 978-1-904113-60-7 ©2015, $19.95, p. 285, plus bibliography and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Changing the Immutable by Marc B. Shapiro, who holds the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Chair in Judaic Studies at
Censorship in the haredi community Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson DOMEYROT, France — I know I’ve written about this subject before, but it’s one that simply isn’t going to go away, and in fact is getting worse every day, every hour, every minute. Many of these unfortunates come from Africa, from countries where conflicts, poverty, corruption and hopelessness are endemic. Others come from
Jews can empathize with refugees Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Middle East, The World We Share
By Donald H. Harrison CARLSBAD, California – Chabad of La Costa on Sunday, Aug. 23, celebrated the completion of what its spiritual leader, Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, called the “floor of the present” containing an 88-seat sanctuary, offices, a small library, and a kosher kitchen. Already roughly constructed, but needing such important finishing touches as an
Chabad of La Costa celebrates ‘floor of the present’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Yeruchem Eilfort-RabbiBy Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — According to Jewish tradition, on the tenth day of the Hebrew month Tishri, Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets of the Ten Commandments after Hashem forgave the Jews for the sin of worshipping the golden calf. That day is called Yom
Tis the season to seek to be forgiven Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Somewhere There Is Still A Sun by Michael Gruenbaum with Todd Hasak-Lowy; Aladdin Books © 2015; ISBN 978-1-4424-8486-3; 378 pages including after words; $17.99 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This book is what you might call a combination of a memoir and historical fiction—the two genres mixing in a tale intended for middle
A Holocaust tale for middle schoolers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO─ Hackers have posted personal data obtained from the infidelity dating website Ashley Madison. Former President Bill Clinton has requested that the FBI immediately return the private server it confiscated from the Clinton home. * Donald Trump was dismissed from a jury panel when he told a prosecutor that the facts
Humoring the headlines: August 20, 2015 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
-18th in a series– Exit 6, Texas Street, San Diego — Old Tifereth Israel, Beth Jacob By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Although San Diego’s Jewish community started in Old Town San Diego in the 1850s, moving to downtown and environs in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was on the move again
I-8 Jewish Travel: Shuls on the move Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and FoodBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — Recently I sent a list of questions about the pending deal with Iran to a small group of Jewish friends who live in the US. All are intelligent people who generally keep themselves aware of current events, including major happenings in Israel. Frankly, I’m a bit alarmed by
Pondering the Jewish divide over the Iran pact Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson DOMEYROT, France –It seemed like a good idea at the time. Every village in central France – and possibly elsewhere, for all I know – holds a brocante once a year, when locals and anyone interested can set up a stall and sell anything that they feel is superfluous to their needs.
Weather, language, conspired against book sale Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International