By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — All too often when Jews are pictured in the media, the view is of older men shrouded in prayer shawls, swaying back and forth, mumbling prayers in an archaic language. It’s almost as if Jews are born old, always close to tears, bemoaning some event in their history and […]
Yossele Rosenblatt: From bima to concert stage Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — “Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must,” counseled Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. But what’s with the “must”, JW? When “must” we “endure”? By the time you finish this column, you’ll realize you don’t need to ever endure life, but rather you can find enjoyment in every
Life should be enjoyed, not endured Read More »
Michael Mantell
Niputi (The Nephew): Live under the shadow of a Mafia killer by Joseph Bonpensiero (c) 2014 via Create Space, ISBN: 9780989795005; 438 pages plus appendices and bibliography. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Joseph Bonpensiero’s Uncle Frank, who spelled his last name slightly differently –Bompensiero—didn’t have much use for Jews. Every filthy name, every
Tearing the covers off San Diego’s underside Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego CountyBy Jennie Starr SAN DIEGO — Faced with Jewish flight from institutional affiliation and a modern interfaith marriage rate nearing 60 percent, we need new cultural entry-points to the Jewish community to inspire Jews to engage in Jewish life and educate the next generation. There are communities in the United States where the majority of
Creating new portals to Jewish life Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO─ China’s State Administration for Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television has banned the use of puns in state media because it’s not funny to be living under communism 25 years after the end of the Cold War. * Orthodox leaders have condemned Rabbi Steven Pruzansky of Teaneck, New Jersey for
Humoring the Headlines: November 29, 2014 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Aaron Sorkin, the Hollywood ace scriptwriter for movies and television — “The West Wing,” “The Social Network” and the current HBO hit series “The Newsroom” — grew up in a Jewish family in Scarsdale, New York and graduated from Syracuse University n 1983, Then, like many young actors and writers, he took
‘The Newsroom’ warns of climate disaster Read More »
The World We ShareThe Spoon from Minkowitz: A Bittersweet Roots Journey to Ancestral Lands; ISBN-13: 9780988401938; 256 pages By Eva Trieger ENCINITAS, California — It wasn’t just the elegant lunch of quiche, salmon, and fresh fruit that brought residents and guests into the Ellen & Ingram Chodorow Synagogue at Seacrest Village, though the buffet was enticing and the atmosphere approached
A Fein family mystery: What was Minkowitz like? Read More »
Travel and FoodBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There is an old American saying that the country is safest when Congress in on vacation. It may have been spoken in America, but it applies to all western democracies. Politics is the essence of civilization when viewed as the most acceptable way of settling disputes, first by arguing and then
Emotional proposals may signal elections coming Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D LA JOLLA, California — A tale of a one-armed bandit. No, it’s not a slot machine, it’s me, trying to brush my teeth with my left arm, eat with my left hand, and generally feeling totally handicapped. What happened? I was planning to speak to the residents of Seacrest Village, a
A misstep turns into an adventure, of sorts Read More »
Travel and FoodIn Turkey, Pope Francis calls for interfaith dialogue to protect Mideast Christians (JNS.org) In his first visit to the Middle East since Israel last spring, Pope Francis called on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to engage in interfaith dialogue in order to protect Middle East Christians and other persecuted minority groups. “It is essential that
JNS news briefs: November 28, 2014 Read More »
Middle EastSAN DIEGO (Press Release)– As part of the December Nights celebration in Balboa Park, the House of Israel will preview Chanukah by serving traditional latkes (potato pancakes) and sofganiyot (jelly filled doughnuts) on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 10 p.m, and Saturday, Dec. 6, from noon to 10 p.m. Food will be served from within the House.
House of Israel to preview Chanukah Dec. 5-6 Read More »
San Diego Calendar
BERN, Switzerland(WJC)–The Kunstmuseum Bern, which earlier this week accepted the Gurlitt bequest, has published a list of all art works found in the possession of the late Cornelius Gurlitt. The museum was named as sole heir to the collection and on Monday reluctantly accepted the bequest, pledging total transparency to head off any criticism over
Bern museum publishes list of Gurlitt art collection Read More »
Jewish HistoryVATICAN CITY (WJC) — Pope Francis has reiterated his position to open the secret Vatican archives covering the period of World War II to allow researchers to assess the role played by Pope Pius XII during the Holocaust. In an extensive interview with the Israeli newspaper ‘Yediot Ahronot’, Francis said there was “an agreement between
Pope Francis willing to open Pius XII archives Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO– Of course, those who really need this article probably won’t read it. That’s the way arrogance works. It makes you feel that you are better than the next person, that you certainly don’t need to change, and besides, no one is really smart enough to teach you anything.
Arrogant? Here’s how to become humble Read More »
Michael Mantell