World Beat Center honors the dream

Just north of Presidents Way and across the street from the Veterans Museum lies the World Beat Cultural Center. Housed in what used to be a water tower, this cylindrical building is filled inside and out with brightly painted murals celebrating the many cultures of the world. Inside, you will find a vegan café, an art gallery, reggae concerts and classes in the arts. What better place to celebrate Martin Luther King Day? [Eric George Tauber]

World Beat Center honors the dream Read More »

Eric George Tauber, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

SDJA students raise $7,168 for charities

Given poker chips, each student placed one in a cannister bearing the name of the charity of his or her choice.  After the chips were counted, and pro rata shares were computed for each charity, checks signed by the Head of School Chaim Heller were presented to their representatives on Friday, Jan. 17. [Donald H. Harrison]

SDJA students raise $7,168 for charities Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

‘Lost Book of Adana Moreau’ a Jewish story

“To answer your email, yes, my new novel does deal directly with the Jewish experience pre- and post-Russian Revolution, in Chicago during the Great Depression, and through the lens of an Israeli-American raised in Chicago decades later,” Zapata told me. “My mother’s family is Ashkenazi, originally from Lithuania, and my father’s family is from Ecuador.” [Dan Bloom]

‘Lost Book of Adana Moreau’ a Jewish story Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories

Killing Soleimani undermined global order

Just imagine what would have happened if Iran attacked a convoy escorting Vice President Pence and killed him just as he boarded his car near Riyadh airport. How would Trump have reacted? I venture to say that for Trump, this would have been tantamount to a declaration of war, just as Tehran viewed the attack on Soleimani. Trump would have retaliated in a massive way because an attack on a top US official by an adversary would simply be unacceptable by both Republicans and Democrats alike. [Alon Ben-Meir, PhD]

Killing Soleimani undermined global order Read More »

Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East, USA

Wosner, Thayer, Zhao shine in Beethoven’s Piano Trio

The Israeli pianist, Shai Wosner, shone in Beethoven’s Piano Trio in C minor, Op. 1, No. 3, as he collaborated with violinist, Jeff Thayer, concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and Yao Zhao, the orchestra’s principal cellist. The concert, part of the San Diego Symphony’s celebration of Beethoven’s 250 anniversary of his birthday, featured three of the composer’s early works. It took place on Tuesday evening, January 14, at the new Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center on Fay Street in La Jolla. [Eileen Wingard]

Wosner, Thayer, Zhao shine in Beethoven’s Piano Trio Read More »

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

Most MKs oppose Bibi’s immunity request

Bibi made an application for immunity, and is now doing all that he can so the Knesset will postpone consideration of it. Until after the election? Which one? The third in the last year, or the fourth, the fifth, or whatever. A majority of the Knesset has indicated its opposition to Bibi’s immunity from prosecution. So if he doesn’t postpone consideration of it, he’s lost. [Ira Sharkansky, PhD]

Most MKs oppose Bibi’s immunity request Read More »

Ira Sharkansky, Middle East

Shabbat reflections on Rev. Martin Luther King

During evening and morning Shabbat services preceding Martin Luther King Day, Rabbi Josh Dorsch and David Ogul, respectively the rabbi and president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, read from the pulpit a reflection that congregant Dan Tomsky had extrapolated from the writings of The Rev. Kathleen C. Rolenz, a Unitarian Universalist minister. [Donald H. Harrison]

Shabbat reflections on Rev. Martin Luther King Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Sam Litvin, USA

Arguments Trump’s team may offer in defense

President Trump named his defense team for his impeachment trial in the Senate.  His lawyers already have declared, “This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election, now just months away.”  I wondered whether they were referring to the impeachment articles or to Russian meddling in support of Trump, but at least they know how to take dictation.  Here’s the roster of some of the most famous members of Team Trump and a preview of their arguments. [Satire by Laurie Baron, PhD]

Arguments Trump’s team may offer in defense Read More »

Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Jewish trivia quiz: Jerry Nadler

Congressman Jerry Nadler is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which drafted the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Nadler is now one of seven Congresspersons who will serve as prosecutors during the Senate trial. Congressman Nadler was born in Brooklyn to Jewish parents, and is the only current member of Congress to have a Yeshiva education. When Congressman Nadler ran for reelection in 2016, he faced primary opposition from Oliver Rosenberg, a gay Yeshiva University graduate who switched his registration from Republican to Democratic in 2012. Rosenberg was particularly critical of Nadler’s vote in favor of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. What famous person placed robocalls to district voters criticizing Nadler, who went on to win that primary and reelection to his 14th term? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish trivia quiz: Jerry Nadler Read More »

Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Auschwitz memoir revived for 75th anniversary

As we approach the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, many books, documentaries and articles are appearing about “history’s darkest chapter.” The book Last Stop Auschwitz: My Story of Survival From Within the Camp, set for release momentarily, will certainly become one of the more defining accounts of the horrors and inhumanities perpetrated by the Nazis during the Holocaust. [Dorian De Wind]

Auschwitz memoir revived for 75th anniversary Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorian de Wind, International, Jewish History

Martin Luther King Jr.: A flesh-and-blood human

There is a growing and voluble trend among scholars and journalists that we quite some time ago let go of the real King in favor of a caricatured legend–or, as Charles Blow of The New York Times just termed it: the “Dream King.”  This is a good day to reflect on the real story. Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned 91 years old last week, January 15.   As a pastor’s son growing up in the “Sweet Auburn” section of central Atlanta, pranking his friends and mimicking preachers with wicked accuracy, he likely never dreamed that the day of his birth would be designated a federal holiday. [Rabbi Ben Kamin]

Martin Luther King Jr.: A flesh-and-blood human Read More »

USA

Gimbel’s WZC goals: ‘Pluralism, peace, economic justice’

In recent articles, we have been profiling San Diegans who have been nominated by various slates to serve as delegates to the World Zionist Congress, which will take place in Jerusalem Oct. 20-22  Among the nominees is Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel, the assistant rabbi at Congregation Beth Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Gimbel’s WZC goals: ‘Pluralism, peace, economic justice’ Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Fictional weather-maker faces religious controversy

“The story goes like this,” Schwartz told me in a recent update to his earlier emails. “The main character, Neil Stephenson, is a TV meteorologist and a rising star in the Baltimore area. During a snowstorm that isn’t producing as much snow as predicted, Neil discovers his gift: that he can actually make the snow increase or decrease, and make it rain or stop raining.” That’s some superpower, as readers of the recently-published novel will find out. [Dan Bloom]

Fictional weather-maker faces religious controversy Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, The World We Share