By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s Torah reading, Behaalotecha, appears to be the basis of one of my mother’s oft-repeated sayings, “Keep complaining and I’ll really give you something to complain about.” Seems the Israelites grew tired of their monotonous diet of manna, pining for the fish and other foods they […]
Parashat Behaalotecha: Stop Complaining! Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Spike, the alligator, was discovered 32 years ago in Los Angeles in someone’s bathtub. If an alligator is discovered in the wild, and in need of rescue because of an injury, it is released back to the wild after being nursed to health. However, in the case of alligators found illegally in domestic settings, they are taken to live permanently at rescue centers because the circumstances of their breeding are unknown. Alligators that are in-bred by unscrupulous breeders may carry defective genes that should not be released into the wild alligator gene pool, Kerschner explained. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rescued Animals Help Children Learn about Conservation at SeaWorld Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, The World We Share, Travel and Food
By Sam Ben-Meir TOPEKA, Kansas — Dancing Waters is a new exhibition at Topeka’s Mulvane Art Museum, curated by museum director Connie Gibbons, and featuring the work of Rita Blitt, who has been making art consistently and diligently for over sixty years. In that time, Blitt has created a body of work of immense breadth
Dancing Waters: Rita Blitt at Mulvane Art Museum Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sam Ben-Meir, USA
My love of music even brought me the love of my life. After first meeting at a student party we quickly found out that we both loved classical music, especially chamber music, and our first ‘dates’ consisted of listening to one another’s records of our favorite compositions. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Music Was the Beginning of Her Love Story Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Travel and Food
She has written many food-related books, including The Encyclopedia of Spices and Herbs: An Essential Guide to the Flavors of the World and Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir. What is a Jewish connection in Padma Lakshmi’s life? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Padma Lakshmi Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
He has created so much Judaica that he stands ready to exhibit more than 50 pieces if an appropriate venue can be found, such as a synagogue or a Jewish center. He even has devised special cases in which to transport his creations, so that such an exhibition can be taken on the road. [Donald H. Harrison]
Master Woodworker Bill Goldschneider Focuses on Jewish Themes Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Judaism, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
His parents’ diverse cultural backgrounds “in one way were symbiotic and, in others, very separate, Nevarez reflected. “At different times in my life, I was uncomfortable about them; I didn’t know how to wed the two.” Later in life, however, “I have not only embraced it; it has actually extended my capacity to do what I do in the world, which is my rabbinate, and to be able to be in a relationship with different cultures and ethnicities because of my background.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Reform Rabbi Draws on His Jewish and Latino Heritage Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County
Many of us grew up with the story of Anne Frank. I read her diary, saw a movie and plays about her, read books by people who knew her, even interviewed one of her contemporaries. Although I was quite familiar with the important role Miep Gies had played in Anne Frank’s life, it was not until I watched this dramatization that I came to understand the intensity of Miep’s experience and the vast contours of her bravery as well as that of her husband Jan. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘A Small Light’ Leaves a Big Impression about the Holocaust Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — I’m going to let you in on a little secret because some secrets are meant to be shared. There is a “little theatre that could” sequestered on the second floor of a small shopping center in the heart of Poway. Above Culley’s Restaurant and a few steps from Bellus
‘Visiting Mr. Green’ is a Hidden Gem in Poway Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Every Jewish parent and grandparent would kvell if their 11-year-old kid could write the way that Siena (Sisi) Kleiner-Fisman does. And every Jewish parent and grandparent would shrei gevalt if their child had to endure what Sisi went through starting when she was 3 years old. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Little Girl Narrates Her Cancer Victory Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Bronfman Fellowship has selected its 37th cohort of intellectually curious 11th-graders from across North America, among them the founder of InvestNow Clubs, a nonprofit which brings investment clubs to schools in historically disadvantaged communities; a published author whose historical research has been featured in publications such as Scholastic’s Best
San Diego’s Raphael Delgado Among 4 Californians Selected for The Bronfman Fellowship Read More »
California, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
With only one day of Jewish American Heritage Month remaining, the San Diego Unified School Board on Tuesday, May 30, unanimously recognized May as Jewish American Heritage Month and encouraged “staff, students, and community members to raise awareness and educate future generations about Jewish Americans and their role in the diverse fabric of our country and communities and in the American experience.” [Donald H. Harrison]
By Mara Fahl BE’ER SHEVA, Israel — His family, Jewish identity, and Israel were three things past President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County Michael Jeser (z”l) held dearest. Instilled in him from a young age, these core values defined his work and philanthropy and continue to guide his family’s mission
San Diego Jewish Leader Remembered in Israel Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, USA
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — The slogan for Ron DeSantis’ recently announced campaign is “Make America Florida” inviting a copyright infringement lawsuit from Donald Trump who issued an executive order in his mind to make it illegal for other politicians to start their campaign slogans with “Make America.” What would the United States look like
Satire: ‘Make America Florida’ aka Let Hurricane DeSantis Wreak Havoc on the Nation Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire