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
Rashi, with his profound insight, offers a beautiful explanation. He teaches that God counted Israel out of God’s deep love for them, just as one counts their precious possessions. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: The Power of Being Counted Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“All Holocaust survivors’ stories are extraordinary and precious because of the improbable odds of outwitting Hitler and escaping the Nazis’ meticulous and murderous rampages,” states Karen A. Frenkel at the beginning of her family’s stories of survival before, during, and after the Nazi invasion of present-day Ukraine. [Cailin Acosta]
Holocaust Memoir Tells of Family’s Strength to Survive Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Was it peaceful protest to attack and injure janitorial employees at Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall a year ago? To seize and occupy the same building? To block traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, the approach to Chicago’s congested O’Hare International Airport and the jammed southbound lanes of the 110 freeway below the iconic four-level stacked interchange in Los Angeles? [Bruce S. Ticker]
Mahler’s Third Symphony, An Ode to Nature, opened with a cloudburst of sound as eight horns intoned the opening theme in faultless unison. This longest of symphonies,100 minutes in duration, with six movements, never lost momentum under the energetic conducting of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director, Rafael Payare. [Eileen Wingard]
Soloists, Chorus, and Choir Shine in Mahler’s ‘Ode to Nature’ Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
It’s a narrative of transition—from dependence to agency, from miracles to management. Within its verses unfold the full drama of collective life: the struggle for leadership and legitimacy, the fear and promise of scarcity and abundance, the frictions of war and fragile peacetimes. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Bamidbar: Navigating Fear with Faith Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Finding balance in an unbalanced world can be complicated. Life is full of balance in everyday situations. How much time do you dedicate to a task or job and when do you stop and say no? [Cailin Acosta]
Mental Health Month Tip: Work-Life Balance is Essential Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
A recent editorial in the Jerusalem Post calls for ending the war now, without achieving Israel’s objectives to cleanse Gaza of the Jihadi Hamas fighters. This is a terrible idea. [Steve Kramer]
OpEd: Jerusalem Post Calls for Ending the War with Hamas Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer
Donald Trump’s threats to withdraw federal funding from Harvard if it doesn’t comply with his demands presage his ultimate plan to transform the university into a propaganda arm of MAGA ideology. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: MAGAtizing Harvard Read More »
Israel, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
For the Treasures from the Music Collection: Shavuot Music program Thursday afternoon, June 5, 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC, I will have as my special guest, Rabbi/Cantor Hanan Leberman, the newly appointed spiritual leader of Congregation Tifereth Israel Synagogue. He will not only help introduce the program, but will add a few additional songs of Shavuot. The recorded selections will reflect all aspects of this important holiday. [Eileen Wingard]
Shavuot Program at JCC Features Rabbi/ Cantor Hanan Leberman Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Beth Jacob Congregation on Sunday bid farewell to its spiritual leader of 29 years, as the College-area Orthodox community held a gala filled with heartfelt and often-humorous tributes from congregants, public officials, and family members in honor of Rabbi Avram Bogopulsky and Rebbetzin Leah Bogopulsky. [Jacob Kamaras]
Beth Jacob Congregation’s Emotional Farewell to Rabbi Bogopulsky Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
He tells us that the “idea of ending one’s profession or work due to old age seems to be antithetical to Jewish thought.” The Talmud Kinim 25a states that Torah scholars’ minds hold firm as they age, and the Talmud Shabbat 152a states that the brains of Jewish scholars grow stronger as they grow older. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Jewish Values in the Torah Portion Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Her latest venture is a Mitzvah Power Academy series written for 5- to 10-year-old-readers in which children known as the Haverim Heroes perform good deeds at home, in school, in their community, in space, and during time-travel adventures in which they interact with Jews of the past. [Donald H. Harrison]
Mitzvah Power Academy Books, Website, Encourage Children to Do Good Deeds Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Staff and Bylined Contributors
As in every good farce, there are double entendres, slamming doors, odd and reshuffled pairings and lots of miscommunication. In Unnecessary Farce, these qualities are all ramped up to the highest degree. [Eva Trieger]
‘Unnecessary Farce’ Provides Constant Laughs at Scripps Ranch Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
In We are Black Jews: Ethiopian Jewry and the Journey to Equality in Israel, Roni Fantanesh Malkai provides eye-opening, need-to-know information about the history and difficulties of Ethiopian Jews. We should read it and do our best to get people to treat others as they want others to treat them. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Author Chronicles Israeli Discrimination against Ethiopian Jews Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors