The fireworks are over. The crowd is gone. National Park System workers are taking down the folding chairs. Towering above them the sculpted heads of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt are discussing the speech they just heard. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
The presidential pundits of Mt. Rushmore Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The Fourth of July is my friend Ben Dishman’s birthday, just as it was the birthday of my late father, Martin B. Harrison. When both of them were pre-schoolers, their parents fibbed to them that the fireworks and celebrations all were in honor of their birthdays. Of course, they both believed the story, as it had come from what for them was the source of all knowledge — their parents. It wasn’t until they were old enough to go to school that they were disabused of the notion by their classmates. [Donald H. Harrison]
July Fourth, American history, and cultural myths Read More »
Ben Dishman, Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Why did Bib Netanyahu delay his plans for annexation of territory in Judea and Samaria.? The fact that the Trump administration may have got cold feet about its “peace” (piece?) plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict may have been the decisive inhibiting factor. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Netanyahu, under various pressures, sets aside annexation Read More »
International, Middle East
Ode to Passion was supposed to premiere at the Queens World Film Festival back in March, but the plague put the kaibosh on that. So it has gone to Amazon Prime Video. It is the first feature-length film by Writer/Director Jack Danini with 19 original songs written in 80s rock-ballad style with shades of country. From the opening strains of a wailing base guitar and a forlorn lover clutching a thorny red rose, we know that this story does not end happily. [Eric George Tauber]
‘Ode to Passion’ Strikes a Chord Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
When it comes to the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, not even COVID19 can stand up to the chutzpah, commitment and ingenuity of Associate Producer Ali Viterbi and co-writers Leah Salovey, Sarah Price Keating and Becca Myers, Associate Producer of JFest, as they bring us the 11th annual “Women of Valor.” This virtual show is a tribute to our local women, some unsung and others, banner-waving, who have created a more humane, compassionate, and impactful Jewish San Diego. [Eva Trieger]
Six valorous Jewish women of San Diego Read More »
Eva Trieger, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
We are taught that there are three categories of commandments; Judgments, Testimonials, and Decrees. Judgments are the commandments that we understand on our own that they need to be done. For instance, we realize the importance of having fair weights and measures, or of making sure our property doesn’t damage another, or that we should return lost objects. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Three kinds of commandments Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
When we talk about the Declaration of Independence and the freedom it envisioned for the people of the United States, our conversations are likely to turn to the two great issues facing our country today: the coronavirus pandemic and the racial justice movement. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
American independence, coronavirus, and racial justice Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USAThough I live in Jerusalem within walking distance to the Western Wall (the Kotel), I never go to pray there – for religious reasons. Abraham Joshua Heschel, the great 20th century Jewish thinker, has taught that Judaism doesn’t have holy places, only holy events. We celebrate time, not space. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Jewish unity at risk Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East
Cecil Burleigh, Music for Violin and Piano features miniature pieces by the little-known American composer, Cecil Burleigh (1885-1980), performed by my sister, violinist Zina Schiff and pianist, Mary Barranger. Named Critic’s Choice Best of 2002 by the American Record Guide, the CD took its rightful place beside the music of other great American composers, such as Edward MacDowell, Paul Creston, Charles Ives, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein, in Naxos’ epochal “American Classics” series—the most ambitious recording project of music by American Composers. [Eileen Wingard]
Americana music for the 4th of July Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsLaurie Baron, Ph.D. has compiled a list of streaming Jewish lectures or July 5-10
Streaming Jewish lectures, July 5-10 Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
I have chosen four passages from these two parshot, for comparison with ancient non-Israelite practices regarding purification, sacrifices, water-bearing rocks, snake bites, and spells. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Recently our music reviewer Eileen Wingard was able to report on the successful gala concert of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring the actress Helen Mirren along with a host of well-known musicians performing from private venues. However, not everyone was able to witness the concert live because anti-Israel hackers took it upon themselves to disrupt the program which some 13,000 people from around the world had signed up to watch. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Cyber-attackers can’t silence the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Marc Gold hoped he could combine his love of writing and sports into a career; and after college graduation, he worked for newspapers and had a fantasy of owning one. But, like his father, uncles, cousins and a brother, he took a different career path, joining the world-famous condiment company Gold Pure Food Products and was involved in all aspects of the business, including production, quality control, accounts receivable and payable Eventually he was the chief of all sales, shipping and public relations/publicity for decades. [Joel H. Cohen]
The man behind the ‘chrain in Spain’ and elsewhere Read More »
Jewish History, Joel H. Cohen, Travel and FoodHere are some coronavirus couplets:
Nothing makes me more livid
Than post-opening spikes of Covid.
It’s not an oppressive task
To have to wear a mask.
(Laurie Baron, Ph.D0
The coronavirus pandemic in couplets Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire