Three divas sing songs by American Jewish composers at JFest

The three jazz divas were introduced by JFest’s producing director, soon to be JFest’s co-director, Becca Myers. They were Whitney Shay, Mara Kaye and Elizabeth Schwartz, who curated the program. Each sang a selection from every one of the American Songbook’s Jewish songwriters featured in the program, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Harold Arlen and Bert Bachrach. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hillel of San Diego reaches 3,500 students on 4 college campuses

In 2020, during the height of COVID, we were barely reaching 400 students (no small feat when everyone was gathering online exclusively), but this year, we served 3,500 students. That’s 3,500 students connecting to Jewish life in San Diego in ways that are meaningful to them. Transformational growth. [Karen Parry]

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Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JNF-USA plans national get-together in Chula Vista

Jewish National Fund USA announces its “Global Conference for Israel: Unite for Israel’s Future” Thursday, November 12 through Sunday, November 15 at the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in Chula Vista.

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Parshat Chukat: Mastering anger, the fire we must control

Anger is a natural, God-given emotion. Throughout the Book of Exodus, Moses channels righteous indignation effectively: confronting Pharaoh’s tyranny, smashing the Golden Calf, and standing against injustice. God Himself is described as “angry” in response to cruelty and idolatry, yet that divine anger is always purposeful, measured, and directed toward tikkun—restoration and moral order. {Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish birthday: Edward Levi

Edward Levi (June 26, 1911 – March 7, 2000) was an American legal scholar and academic. He served as the 5th dean of the University of Chicago Law School from 1950 to 1962, as the 8th president of the University of Chicago from 1968 to 1975, and then as United States Attorney General from 1975 to 1977 under President Gerald Ford. [Wikipedia]

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Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

The Shema and the Obama Presidential Center

It isn’t a stuffy monument. It is now the only presidential center – a place inviting people to participate not simply in remembering the past but to actively take part in the present and to create a future in that space. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Federation fundraises for many good causes

By Heidi Gantwerk in San Diego As this campaign year comes to a close, I am reminded of what our community can accomplish when we show up for one another, especially in moments that test us most. The ongoing war in Israel, the long road to recovery, and rising antisemitism here at home have challenged

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

To retreat into safe Jewish spaces or participate fully in American pluralism?

A few days ago, I attended a book talk for On Being Jewish Now, a collection of essays reflecting on Jewish life after October 7. About 50 people had gathered inside a posh clothing store in Beverly Hills, and before long the conversation gave way to a familiar ritual of trauma bonding and story telling. Personal accounts of fear, identity, and all the difficult ways our lives have changed over the last 20 months. [Karen Klein]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Tortured Soles’ is a celebrity gossip book with a double-entendre title

shtetl

This was a fascinating memoir, and I enjoyed reading about someone working behind the scenes in entertainment journalism, chasing celebrity gossip and experiencing the adrenaline rush that came with it. Weinstein notes that she is now retired and enjoying every minute of it. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

July 1 hearing on bill to repeal civil rights protections for Jewish students

A California lawmaker just used a last-minute legislative maneuver to introduce a bill that would repeal one of our most significant victories for Jewish college students. The committee vote is this Wednesday, July 1. [David Bocarsly]

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California, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors