By Mark D. Zimmerman Dr. Ruth was just named New York State’s Ambassador to Loneliness, with a charge to help New Yorkers cope with the loneliness epidemic. Dr. Ruth, the Holocaust survivor who gained fame as a sex therapist, says that she began focusing on this issue when she was isolated during the COVID lockdown,
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Dr. Ruth Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Most identify the Book of Psalms as a collection of Jewish hymns, prayers, and poems mostly focusing on praising and adoring God. Rabbis Jack Riemer and Elie Spitz, co-authors of Duet on Psalms, with their long careers as pulpit rabbis recognize for too many, reciting psalms is a perfunctory exercise, spoken without passion and devoid of their intrinsic meaning. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
The Hidden Passion and Joy of Psalms Described by Two Rabbis Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
Growing up, Wunder had a mixed set of experiences – a family that loved him and was very protective of him versus schoolmates and authority figures who singled him out because he was Asian. “It was anything from kids making fun of your eyes to the food that you eat, or assuming you speak another language and making fun of it, even if you don’t,” recalled Wunder, who works today as Director of Community Engagement for Temple Solel in Encinitas. Wunder is also one of 15 persons across the nation chosen in 2022 for a Wexner Field Fellowship. [Donald H. Harrison]
Terry Wunder: Rejoicing in a Jewish Identity Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Julius Katz shared the story of his friend who spoke fluent German and was in WW II stationed at a camp in Europe near the end of the war, He was awakened from a deep sleep and summoned into the main room where there about a dozen Nazi soldiers fully armed. He and his troops were quite frightened, and his friend spoke to them in German asking them what they wanted, they responded to him in German that they came to surrender, and he told them in German to drop their arms and raise their arms which they did . [Bill Sperling]
Jewish Vets Share Their Military Experiences Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
Editor’s Note: The executive summary of the demographic study of San Diego’s Jewish population is published below. A community meeting will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3rd at the Lawrence Family JCC to gather, interpret the results, and gain community insight. As space is limited, registration via this website is
Who Are We? San Diego County Jewish Demographic Study Released Read More »
Judaism, San Diego County
By Doron Krakow A remarkable event took place in Malibu, California, this past Sunday. The Shalom Institute, one of the extraordinary JCCs of North America, broke ground ahead of its anticipated return to a campsite ravaged in the Woolsey Fire five years ago. That season’s devastating wildfires wreaked havoc across California and tore through the
Fortitude and Resilience Read More »
Doron Krakow, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Eric George Tauber CINCINNATI, Ohio — How do we get through difficult times? How can we find a ray of hope when all we see are shadows? During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us turned to streaming services like Netflix to cope with our feelings of boredom and isolation. My personal favorites were works
‘All The Light We Cannot See’ Illuminates Dark Places Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Holocaust, Opinion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Published by Reuters By Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu and Nandita Bose WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Israel will begin daily four-hour pauses in the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday to enable Palestinians to flee hostilities in the coastal enclave, the White House said after President Joe Biden said he had sought pauses of three days or more. White
Biden gets four-hour battle pauses from Israel after pushing for three-day stoppages Read More »
Israel
The painful irony of the Jewish allegiance to progressive causes is that it has occasionally been reciprocated with betrayal, as some factions within these movements have fostered prejudicial narratives against Israel. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Shedding Our Illusions Read More »
Holocaust, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, USA
It’s been a hard month not only for all of us in the Jewish community, but for the entire San Diego community. With all of the unrest and strife happening, the audience at Broadway In San Diego’s Mamma Mia was ready to let loose and revel in the joyous ABBA songs that make up the backbone of this whimsical show at the Civic Theatre. [Sandi Masori]
Audience Delights in Familiar Songs of ‘Mamma Mia’ Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When England declared war on Germany in 1914 and again in 1939 it had not been invaded, its frontiers crossed or its citizens murdered. The basis for the outbreak of hostilities in both instances was simply a mutual defense agreement with other countries. War is a terrible thing.
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — “Under the shadow of the horrors of October 7, 2023 and the war, the National Library of Israel made the decision to open its new home to readers and researchers as of Sunday, October 29, 2023.” The Library was due to open on October 17, but given the
In Time of Strife, Israel’s New National Library Opens Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer
A “celebration of life” for the late former Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego) has been scheduled for 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18, at Elijah’s Restaurant, 7061 Clairemont Mesa, according to his wife Mary Lundberg. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Celebration of Life’ Ceremony Scheduled Nov. 18 for Former Assemblyman Howard Wayne Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego CountyKristallnacht essentially served as a harbinger of the Holocaust, testing the limits of Nazi aggression and prefiguring the “Final Solution.” The tepid international response post-Kristallnacht may have further convinced the Nazis of their impunity, contributing to the escalation toward genocide. The same kind of psychological desensitization can be seen in the Western world since the great massacre of October 7, 2023. The depersonalization of the Jews of Israel has occurred for nearly a hundred years or more. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Hamas Follows in the Nazis’ Footsteps Read More »
Travel and Food