Charlotte Rae (April 22, 1926 – August 5, 2018) was an American comedic actress and singer whose career spanned 66 years. Rae was known for her portrayal of Edna Garrett in the sitcoms Diff’rent Strokes and its spin-off, The Facts of Life (in which she had the starring role from 1979 to 1986). [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Charlotte Rae Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
This Midrash beautifully underscores the Jewish preference for the wrestler over the effortless saint. Angels may be flawless, but they cannot truly fulfill mitzvot that demand overcoming desire. Only flesh-and-blood people, locked in Sartre’s No Exit with their own cravings, can achieve the profound moral heroism the Torah celebrates. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Who is more meritorious? An angel in heaven or a human struggling with conscience? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Yom Ha’Atzmaut is Israel’s Independence Day, which began in 1948, when Israel was declared a state. On the Hebrew calendar, it lands on the 5th of Iyar, which this year begins at sundown on Tuesday, April 21, and ends at nightfall on Wednesday, April 22. [Cailin Acosta]
Multiple celebrations in San Diego County of Israel’s Independence Day Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
We are often impressed when we read of a child prodigy or a wunderkind who achieves notoriety at a young age. Perhaps the same could be said when we meet someone who achieves his dream after keeping it on the backburner for the bulk of his life. Meet writer-producer Mike Tove. [Eva Trieger]
Tove came late to the party, but still found a seat on the dais Read More »
Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Guests sampled a variety of traditional foods tied to Jewish holidays. Passover offerings included matzo ball soup, charoset, matzo, and gefilte fish. Chanukah favorites featured latkes served with sour cream and applesauce, along with hummus. Rosh Hashanah treats included apples with honey, while a classic Jewish brunch spread offered bagels with cream cheese and lox. Beverages included Dr. Brown’s sodas and tea served with sugar cubes. [Cailin Acosta]
Innovative exhibit teaches children and neighbors about Judaism Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Efrem Zimbalist (April 21, 1889 – February 22, 1985) was a Russian and American concert violinist, composer, conductor and director of the Curtis Institute of Music. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Efrem Zimbalist Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
World-renown French cellist, Gautier Capucon, and pianist, French compatriot, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, paired up to present a memorable recital April 15 at the Conrad, under the auspices of the La Jolla Music Society. [Eileen Wingard]
French cellist and pianist receive standing ovation at the Conrad Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee showcases a host of multi-talented local actors, a great musical score and fantastic choreography. It even introduces budding thespians to the stage as some audience members are selected to participate in the bee! (Eva Trieger)
‘Spelling Bee’ puts Lamplighters’ audience members to the test Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & BroadcastWhen a religious leader pours the “milk” of unconditional pacifism into the “meat” of a life-and-death military struggle, the result is a curdled moral confusion. This mixture makes it impossible to digest the hard reality of defense, leading to a “forbidden” policy that benefits neither the state nor the soul. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Just wars: Pope ignores Thomas Aquinas, Maimonides Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
My positions on Israel are clear and unwavering. I support Israel’s right to defend itself decisively against Hamas, Hezbollah, and any other terrorist groups that seek its destruction. I do not believe a two-state solution is viable or responsible until Hamas, Hezbollah, and all military opponents are completely disarmed and deradicalized. Only then can lasting peace and security be possible for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire region. [Stan Caplan]
Congressional candidate switches parties to oppose Sara Jacobs on Israel Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In April 1944, Tuwim published an article titled “My, Żydzi Polscy” (We, Polish Jews). The always ironic and witty poet mourned the murdered Jews of Poland, among whom was his mother, killed in the ghetto. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Julian Tuwim, Polish poet Read More »
Alex Gordon, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
AMCHA Initiative on Monday expressed support for the motion filed by seven Jewish UCLA faculty members seeking to intervene in the pending federal civil rights case against the University of California. [Press Release]
As audiences take their seats at Cygnet Theatre, they’re immediately pulled into a world already in motion: stock prices flicker across the walls, the year 2008 looms, and the collapse that impacted global finance is foreshadowed before a single line is spoken. [Sherrie Rose]
‘The Lehman Trilogy’ turns financial history into riveting stage drama Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Ryan O’Neal (April 20, 1941 – December 8, 2023) was an American actor. Born in Los Angeles, he trained as an amateur boxer before beginning a career in acting in 1960. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish descendant’s birthday: Ryan O’Neal Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia