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 Wingard
For 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 & Satire
Quite 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, & Education
William 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, USAWe are witnessing an escalating, strengthening, swelling mental illness pandemic, one that may well exceed the scale of COVID19, according to The Lancet. We can prevent this by applying what we’ve learned from how to successfully mitigate the spread of COVID19. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Buttressing mental health during the pandemic Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael MantellSheltering in place, I try to find the positive things that have come out of living through the coronavirus epidemic. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Nine lemonade drinks from the big Covid19 lemon Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
while there is no consensus on the origins of COVID-19, there is no doubt that it has been a bonanza for states and terrorists who now know a lot more about critical vulnerabilities of big powers including the United States and NATO, as well as Russia and China. [Shoshana Bryen and Stephen D. Bryen]
What the pandemic taught adversaries about U.S. Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, Stephen D. Bryen, USA
A while back, a young woman asked if she could come over and talk to me. She reads my columns and finds them useful. I was happy to help.
She came over, and we both sat down on my sofa. I asked her why she had come. She burst into tears. When she finally was able to speak, she told me that her long-term partner had left her. I was holding her hand as she spoke. [By Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D, ACSW]
Tales of the comforter, consultant and facilitator Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
The coronavirus crisis has confronted Israelis with at least three instances of leaders flaunting rules that they have set and which they expect others to obey. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Israeli politicians should abide by their own rules Read More »
International, Middle EastWhat if American Jews read on the front pages of The New York Times and the Washington Post that Israeli Jews would estrange themselves from American Jews, if the latter chose to vote for a president who was lukewarm on Israel, instead of one who was very pro-Israel? Americans would be piqued that Israelis expected them to vote as if Israel were at the top of their priority list! [Steve Kramer]
In reply to 140 U.S. Jewish leaders Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA