By Michael Mantell, Ph.D SAN DIEGO — What lesson have we not learned from one of the most basic principles in Judaism, “Love your fellow Jew as yourself”? It’s preached on pulpit after pulpit, regardless of the sex of the rabbi, the color of the rabbi’s tallit, whether the rabbi wears a kippah or not, […]
‘Derech Eretz’: The way Jews can come together Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Travel and Food
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — You don’t have to be Jewish to love Shlomo — but it helps. The biographical musical Soul Doctor tells the incredible story of real-life “singing rabbi” Shlomo Carlebach and his unlikely friendship with Nina Simone, the high priestess of soul. A smash hit off Broadway, this spirited San Diego production begins
‘Soul Doctor,’ story of Shlomo Carlebach, opens April 3 Read More »
San Diego Calendar, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Jimmy Kimmel hosted last night’s Academy Awards ceremony. It’s a common misconception that Kimmel is Jewish; in fact, he is Catholic. But he has had Jewish-themed comedy sketches on his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!. Which of the following was one of Kimmel’s Jewish bits? A. One of Kimmel’s regular bits is
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Jimmy Kimmel Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The primary goals of American foreign policy is to make our citizens, friends and allies secure and to make our adversaries think twice. There are moments in history when well-timed, well-placed military action will have the effect of causing fear — and moments that, if allowed to pass by,
The case for punishing Syria’s chemical weapon use Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana BryenBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Watching the daily newscasts it’s impossible to escape seeing and hearing the horrific events that are taking place not too far away from where I’m sitting now. The impact of telecommunications is inescapable. From here in Jerusalem to Damascus, just to the north of Israel, it’s only 135 miles.
Israelis horrified, terrified by carnage next door in Syria Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle EastThe Pol-cars (Political Oscars) for 2017 By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Best Picture: Barack Obama’s Presidential Portrait Most Despicable Actor: Wayne LaPierre Worst Deporting Actor: Donald Trump Hewing to Oscar rules, “Fail to the Chief” will play to end his acceptance speech if it is too long. Best Actress: Melania Trump for her role
Humoring the headlines: March 4, 2018 Read More »
International, Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAElizabeth Rosner, Survivor Café, The Legacy of Trauma [and the] Labyrinth of Memory (Berkeley: Counterpoint, 2017) 270 pages, $26 © Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — Elizabeth Rosner comes to trauma study under unique personal circumstances. Her father, Carl Rosner originally of Hamburg, was freed from Buchenwald concentration camp at the age of 15 in 1945
When trauma is transmitted parent to child Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Oliver PollakBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Is the left to blame? The argument is not without its problems. However, in both Israel and the United States, the failure of politics on the left, must take at least a bit of the blame for what’s happening at the peaks of government. The pathos of Donald Trump owes
Is the political left responsible for today’s messes? Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, USA
By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — A few years ago, I covered A Jewish Joke, a one-man show by local actor and writer, Phil Johnson of the Roustabouts Theatre, San Diego Magazine’s Best New Theatre of 2017. The show was conceived as part of the 5-Minute Play Festival at the JCC and developed from
Talking Show-Biz with Phil Johnson Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego Calendar, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — President Trump wished world Jewry a happy Purim last week, but at the same urged that Jews take seriously Haman’s protestations of innocence. Attacking what he called the “corrupt media” of ancient Persia and modern publications throughout the world, he asked rhetorically: “Whatever happened to due process?”
‘Just Kidding:’ Haman also claimed innocence Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As well as forging and facilitating connections between individuals, Facebook also provides the opportunity to form groups, bringing together people all over the world who share mutual interests. These are many and varied, and seem to have succeeded in their objective. Thus, some time ago a bright spark somewhere
‘Brits Living in Israel’ FB group locates favored biscuits Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Russian-born Susana Poretzky, an outstanding mezzo soprano, who sang in Israel for many years, was the soloist with the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) at its January 30 concert at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. I have heard Poretzky on several occasions and was thrilled by her rendition of Mahler’s Lieder Eines
Poretzky electrifies with Habanera encore Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County