Now is the springtime of our confinement
Made mournfully frightful by the toll in New York.
A surfeit of time spent alone in our homes
Sheltering in place and bending the curve. …
[Parody by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
How Shakespeare might have described Covid19 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
How has the coronavirus shelter-at-home mandate impacted a cornerstone of your healthy lifestyle, physical activity? In a very recent study of nearly 13,000 people from 139 countries looking at how the coronavirus outbreak impacted exercise, the researchers found that folks are exercising at a greater frequency than before this pandemic. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
To be fit without A gym get WIT GRIT Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Residents throughout our county are joining a unique, worldwide virtual memorial to remember the victims of the Holocaust. Sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic from attending this year’s “March of the Living” which brings thousands of Jews to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration complex in Poland to mourn those who were murdered by the Nazis, members of the Jewish community instead are posting their sentiments on line via the Never Means Never website created for the purpose by March of the Living organizers. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Remembering via a virtual March of the Living Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
They say it’s like a war, but it isn’t. Our wars are shorter, more dramatic, with something like an end coming after days or weeks. And those running them are more regimented and united. It’s possible to exaggerate, of course. Our wars have their civilian commentators, ranging across the board politically. But nothing like the variety we’re hearing from those talking about Coronavirus. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Coronavirus and coalition politics dominate Israeli news Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East
he senseless deaths seen in the coronavirus pandemic challenges religious people’s concept of God. How does one reconcile our faith in a personal God who loves life, but allows a natural evil to destroy everything in its path? What kind of God—if any—can allow the suffering of innocent children? Every natural catastrophe seems to make the belief in a personal God seem unlikely. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
God and the problem of suffering Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Federal relief funds for local universities and colleges and for their students in need during the coronavirus pandemic were announced on Monday by Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego). In total, 23 institutions of higher learning in the count are receiving grant totaling $137,435,195, and will be required to distribute at least $71,360,718 in grants to students to pay for housing food, and other essentials. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Congresswoman Davis announces financial help for students Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
My sister Zina Schiff’s debut CD recordings were two with the Israel Philharmonic, conducted by Israel’s world-renowned maestra, Dalia Atlas. That came about thanks to Kingsley McLaren, who, at the time, was the program director of KFSD-FM, San Diego’s prize-winning classical music station. [Eileen Wingard]
Zina Schiff’s ‘Chaconne’ by Bach amazed the critics Read More »
Eileen WingardFor a long time most films dealing with Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox Jews sided with individuals whose choice of lifestyle, partners, or vocations conflicted with the expectations of their families and community. While that is still true of many movies, in recent years films with sympathetic portrayals of traditional Jewish subcultures have emerged. Here’s a sampling of both kinds of cinematic depictions. [Laurie Baron, PhD]
Streaming films about the Haredim Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Estimates of the number of lost lives directly resulting from the coronavirus outbreak range from the horrifying to the truly unimaginable. That doesn’t consider those indirectly impacted by the outbreak. As businesses of all kinds close or severely curtail service, the number of San Diegans who are without a paycheck or with a severely diminished one is growing, leaving them unable to meet basic needs. Prescriptions need to be refilled. Families need groceries to eat. First responders need safe childcare, so they can work in the hospitals and clinics that are facing a flood of patients. These are unprecedented times. [Beth Sirull]
Philanthropy needed during this pandemic Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County
It may seem to be gastronomic heresy to invoke a communications system named for a taboo leavened-bread item during Pesach. But this one is legit and kosher any time. It’s “bageling, a usually subtle — sometimes not-so-subtle — device by which a Jew discreetly but deliberately finds out whether another is Jewish, and how an individual lets others know that he or she is Jewish. [Joel H Cohen]
The bageling code — ‘bred of affection?’ Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Fifty years ago (April 10, 1970), the Beatles officially split up. Their popularity, however, has not waned. At an online auction last week, an ashtray used by Ringo Starr at Abbey Road Studios sold for $32,500 and a drawing by John Lennon and Yoko Ono called Bagism sold for $93,750. The handwritten lyrics of the song Hey Jude sold for $910,000, nine times the pre-auction estimate. What was the Jewish connection to that song? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish trivia quiz: The Beatles Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Trivia, Humor & SatireQuite some time ago I wrote about my WAM program for personal success, What About Me? I wrote about three steps to “me,” to self-compassion, including: Welcoming yourself as a friend. Acknowledging your strengths and successes, and recognizing that, Mindfulness promotes it all. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
The WAY to live optimally Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Over my brief stay at Kaiser Hospital on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, I learned there is a very real distinction between “physical distancing” and “social distancing.” [Donald H. Harrison]
I’m back from the hospital, thanks! Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationWilliam James (1842-1910) America’s greatest psychologist of his time, quoted from a friend of his, “There is very little difference between one man and another, but the little there is, is very important.” What applies to the individual certainly applies to the world of faith. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Interfaith responses to coronavirus Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USA