Melissa Greenberg is the new CEO of Americans for Ben-Gurion University

“BGU is strategically positioned to help Israel make a difference on the global stage through the very values on which the state was founded,” Greenberg said. “The University embodies humanitarian ideals and the belief that a Jewish state can be a light unto the nations through its contributions to humanity, and by being home to a diverse and pluralistic campus community….” (Press Release)

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Chutzpah, charm and ‘Calendar Girls’

While most women would feel quite self-conscious posing for photos while scantily clad, Annie’s husband said, “The flowers of Yorkshire are like the women of Yorkshire. Every stage of their growth has its own beauty, but the last phase is always the most glorious.” This sentiment enabled the women to create their calendar shielded by skeins of yarn, cinnamon buns, bunches of grapes and other crafty items. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Today’s Jewish birthday: David Arquette

David Arquette (September 8, 1971) is an American actor, producer, and retired professional wrestler. He began his acting career with a main role as Keith “Two-Bit” Matthews on the Fox drama television series The Outsiders (1990), and he made his film debut with a supporting role in Where the Day Takes You (1992). [Wikipedia]

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

American Friends of Tel Aviv University holds first gathering in San Diego County

American Friends of Tel Aviv University held its first San Diego gathering at Monarch Ocean Bar in Del Mar, bringing together TAU alumni for what organizers hope will become a regular local community gathering. [Shor M. Masori]

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Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Jewish biography: Isaac Babel, a Soviet Jewish writer who mythologized the condition of his people

For a Jewish writer, mythologization becomes a defense mechanism against a hostile reality. It helps him overcome the tragedy of reality. (Alex Gordon)

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Phantom’ production is spooky and memorable

At Broadway San Diego/the San Diego Civic Theatre, the chandelier was irate. It swung violently over the stage, spitting sparks as though it might break loose and land among the actors. The audience roared throughout the evening, especially after the opera performances. (Shor M. Masori)

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San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Looking beyond the favorite High Holiday traditions

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, a recent High Holiday  “Torah and Tea” class taught by Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier at Chabad of East County, encouraged participants to look beyond the familiar traditions of the holiday and consider deeper questions of purpose, identity and connection to Hashem. (Cailin Acosta)

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Three’ was the theme at Summerfest’s final concert of the season

Composer Ludwig, grandson of the great Bohemian-born Jewish pianist, Rudolf Serkin, and nephew of American pianist, Peter Serkin, has received commissions from the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra and soloists such as pianist Jeremy Denk and violinist, Jennifer Koh. (Eileen Wingard}

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish birthday: Billy Rose

Billy Rose (September 6, 1899 – February 10, 1966) was an American impresario, theatrical showman, lyricist and columnist. For years both before and after World War II, Billy Rose was a major force in entertainment, with shows such as Billy Rose’s Crazy Quilt (1931), Jumbo (1935), Billy Rose’s Aquacade (1937), and Carmen Jones (1943). [Wikipedia]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Private memoir describes an interesting Jewish life

He now lives with his wife Judy in Austin, Texas, but he spent a number of years in San Diego and Escondido, where I got to know him.  Because he is a native Hebrew speaker, he was often drafted by Ner Tamid Synagogue in Poway to be its Torah reader, and eventually the Conservative congregation’s president. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Antisemitism disguised as anti-Zionism by Democratic Socialists of America

The San Diego chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America requires those seeking its endorsement to refrain from any affiliation with what it calls “Zionist lobby groups,” a prohibition that encompasses liberal organizations that criticize Israeli policy and support Palestinian statehood. When the label attaches regardless of what a group advocates, “Zionist” has stopped describing a political position and become shorthand for “Jew.” (Jason Nevarez, Heidi Gantwerk, Sara E. Brown)

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Antisemitism, California, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish History, News Media, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA