‘Lark Ascending’ by Zina Schiff has S.D. Zoo inspiration

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Throughout the years, many composers have been fascinated by the sounds of birds. Vivaldi imitated birdcalls in his Four Seasons, Haydn, in his Toy Symphony, Beethoven, in his Pastoral Symphony, Respighi incorporated a recording of a bird into his Pines of Rome, and a jazz violinist once popularized a […]

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Jewish trivia quiz: Little Richard, RIP

Rock and roll pioneer Little Richard died last week at the age of 87. Richard (whose real name was Richard Penniman) had his first hit, Tutti Frutti, in 1955, followed by other hits including Long Tall Sally, Good Golly Miss Molly, Jenny Jenny, and Slippin’ and Slidin’. He was a major influence on so many musicians who followed, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Joan Jett, Brian Wilson, Bette Midler, and Elton John. Which of the following is true about Little Richard? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, USA

Don’t return to normal; transform your business instead

As businesses prepare, thankfully, to enter the flow of customer service one again, transformational leadership prowess is called on more than ever to avoid “going back to the way we were.”  I hear forward-thinking visionary business leaders daily in coaching sessions use words like “adapt,” “grow,” “learn,” “be better,” “be nimble,” “be faster,” “more resilient,” “leaner than ever,” “way more productive.” Farseeing futurist trailblazers aren’t going back to anything. They are talented frontrunners, escorting their teams forward, upward, onward, and never in reverse. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Lifestyles, Michael Mantell

We celebrate our Jewish mothers!

My wife, the former Nancy Zeiden, having a last name that started with “Z,” typically found herself at the end of the line, or the person whose name was printed last or near last in any program. This being mother’s day, I thought I’d correct this alphabetical injustice for anyone who has found herself in the same situation. Therefore, we are running our Mother’s Day salute in reverse alphabetical order! We start with Shelley Zimmerman’s mother, Elaine Zimmerman… [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Eric George Tauber, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, USA

Jewish Poets – Jewish Voices zoom into success

The Zoom Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Program turned out to be an overwhelming success! The May 5th evening, normally scheduled for the Astor Judaica Library, took place in the homes of some 50 participants and listeners. Joy Heitzmann, who has served as Master of Ceremonies for the series, managed to carry out that role by phone. Thanks to the expert staff facilitators, Melanie Rubin and her assistant, Sarah Mattis, all went smoothly. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Five women cantors celebrate Shabbat

hank G-D for music. The miracle of splitting of the Red Sea is done to the sound of music, as the Hebrews are all in song, following the lead of Miriam in Shirat Hayam–the Song of the Sea. The fall of the walls of Jericho is done to the sound of trumpet. David plays the lyre. The entirety of the Psalms–Tehillim–are under the direction of a choirmaster/conductor. [Omer Zalmanowitz]

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Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Some coronavirus restrictions eased at Seacrest Village

Seacrest Village Retirement Community has reported that as of Friday, it had tested 125 residents for coronavirus, and thus far had received results for 104 residents — all negative. “We expect the remaining 21 test results within the coming days and will report back to you as soon as possible,” reported Pam Ferris, President and CEO of the home for seniors which is run under Jewish community auspices. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA

Dream of Azerbaijan’s ‘bronze woman’ lives on

“I was tortured, sold in the black market. But I am free now. I can go anywhere in the world, except Shusha.” This is what Princess Natavan says in my recurring dream — a dream that is particularly vivid this week.It has now been 30 years that Azerbaijani residents of the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan were expelled from their native lands. The city of Shusha fell to the Armenian occupation on May 8, 1992. The Armed Forces of Armenia brutally murdered 200 people, took hostage more than a hundred civilians, and expelled over 22,000 Azerbaijanis from their hometown. [Aybaniz Ismayilova]

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International

Live free in the present normal

That we are in a time of profound, extreme and for many, overwhelming transformation and adjustment, is unmistakable. Arianna Huffington, observed, “Transformative change rarely happens without a catalyst and a crisis,” in an article entitled, “We are Never Going Back.” No, we are, and never do, go back, despite our yearning for the “good old days,” that we erroneously believed were free of severe hardships and emotional turmoil. After all, it was Franklin Pierce Adams who said, “Nothing is more responsible for the good old days than a bad memory.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Lifestyles, Michael Mantell