I decided to … bring to your attention basic truths that transcend political correctness that few members of the clergy are willing to mention today, lest they be branded as a “white supremacist” or tarred and feathered as a “racist.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Take it from the Bible: All lives do matter! Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
Anila Ali, the Pakistani-born leader of the American Muslims Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) on Wednesday moderated a panel that brought together officeholders, law enforcement officers, educators, and Rabbi Peter Levi, Orange County regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, to discuss how communities can overcome biases, bridge gaps, and forge unity. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Quick, I say ‘peanut butter and …’ What do you say? Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
As the editor and co-publisher of San Diego Jewish World, I believe it is the mission of this publication to provide a forum, underscored by civility, in which members of the Jewish community, and friends of the Jewish community, can discuss issues among ourselves, as we all try to determine what actions and attitudes are helpful for our fellow Jews as well as for the wider community. [Donald H. Harrison]
A statement of purpose in times of great controversy Read More »
Travel and Food
A charming video of Jewish music was shared on Facebook by Cantor Orly Campbell Saturday evening that originated in Los Angeles and included cantors from San Diego, Florida, and Arkansas. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]
A birthday cantorial concert during lockdown Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
(D)uring the journey through the wilderness, we come upon Korach with his self-aggrandizing, self-focused self-interest, and his lack of a relationship with Hashem. Korach’s style of leadership was doomed to fail. To Korach, material wealth and personal power far outweighed the benefit of being spiritually anchored. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Leaders and pretenders to leadership Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
I was delighted when my sister, violinist Zina Schiff, and Cameron Grant, solo pianist with the New York City Ballet, recorded the three Brahms Sonatas for Violin and Piano, released by MSR Classics, because Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) is my all-time favorite composer. The bittersweet nature of his music, the Hungarian Gypsy tunes, the waltz-like rhythms, the syncopations, all spoke to me and touched my heart. [Eileen Wingard]
For the love of Brahms Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
The Internet is being used for good, bad, and terrible as attested to by the messages, news releases, and articles that reach our in-box at San Diego Jewish World. [Our Shtetl San Diego County by Donald H. Harrison]
Internet: the good, bad, and appalling Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter demonstrations against systemic racism and police brutality, San Diego Repertory Theatre decided to ask itself a hard question. How can we do better? Theatre folk are generally progressive, but we all have cultural blind spots. And there’s always room for improvement. [Eric George Tauber]
Listening to uncomfortable theatre conversations Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Israel’s Coronavirus cases seem to be growing. It comes in response to increased testing, as well as crowds without masks at several points: outside stadiums (where they are not allowed to cheer inside), in bars and social clubs, some prominent bar mitzvahs, and on streets and the beach. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Coronavirus cases in Israel resurging Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAIt’s time for a fresh, humanizing perspective on RE-silience. It’s time for a real transformation that includes a stark awareness of what truly matters and of how adversity can bring a sense of meaning and wellbeing to your life. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Say goodbye to RE-silience Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Judging by the names San Diegans for Justice lists as supporters of its call for an Independent Commission on Police Practices, tomorrow’s hearing before the San Diego City Council “to end meet-and-confer with the police union and to pass a resolution of intent to move forward with our proposal” ought to be a slam dunk. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
S.D. City Council considers Commission on Police Practices Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Leave them up? Or tear them down? As the recent decision by the American Museum of Natural History in New York City attests, to remove a statue of Theodore Roosevelt in the company of a Native American and an African American, we have entered a time of monumental decision making. [Op-Ed by Donald H. Harrison]
The making of monumental decisions Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
In the early-1940’s, B’nai Emunah, a synagogue that was a hybrid of Orthodox and Conservative practice, built a new building, only to learn that many women protested and refused to sit upstairs in the women’s balcony. How did the synagogue resolve that dispute? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: Tulsa, Oklahoma Read More »
Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
I hope that this final appeal will awaken you to the reality that you can no longer ignore. Time has just about run out and your immediate decision to agree or refuse to enter into new peace negotiations with Israel will determine the future of your people for generations to come. They will either live in peace and harmony with Israel, growing and prospering, or remain a shattered nation despairing for a ray of hope that has eluded them for seven decades – with you sealing their fate. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
An Open Letter to Mahmoud Abbas Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA