Other items in today’s column include:
*Project-based learning leads to mural at Temple Emanu-El
*Political bytes
*Coming our way
*Recommended reading
*In memoriam
SAN DIEGO — Our correspondent in Mevasseret Zion, Israel, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, has written a sixth novel, this one titled A Ruffled Calm. As with her previous five novels, Shefer-Vanson has illustrated the cover of her book with one of her own art pieces, seen to the right of this story.
Set in Israel, the novel tells a story of Tamar, a homemaker and part-time secretary, becoming unraveled by the repeat visits of a strange woman, who imposes herself on her family, while becoming ever more demanding and inane. Named Serena, the visitor is anything but serene, as she has wild fantasies that she is carrying the grandchild of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann. She also believes that she sits on the board of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where Tamar’s husband, Reuben, is responsible for developing the annual report. A non-stop talker, she strings together more cliches than a politician asked about how the upcoming election might turn out.
Neither of Serena’s claims could possibly be true. Serena is far past child-bearing age, and being a part of the administration of Hebrew University, Reuben is quite familiar with the composition of its board of governors. Nevertheless, Tamar is too polite to tell the woman that she’s delusional. Instead, she tries to hide from the woman, asking her three children and her husband to please not answer the door if she should come again, or, failing that, to send her away.
As we read of Tamar crying after each encounter with Serena, and often having to take to her bed, as well as about her migraine headaches and incessant coffee drinking, we begin to suspect that Serena may not be the only one in this story who is in need of psychiatric intervention. Side plots include Reuben beginning an office affair with his secretary, and Tamar’s boss absconding with company funds.
As in past novels, Shefer-Vanson invokes memories of the Holocaust, her own immediate family having escaped from Germany to Hitler’s England, where Shefer-Vanson grew up. In all, the 197-page book is an easy read, in the style that readers of San Diego Jewish World are familiar, given Shefer-Vanson’s regular contribution of columns to this publication. This book, as well as her five other titles, may be ordered via Amazon.
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Project-based learning leads to mural at Temple Emanu-El
Rabbi Benj Fried of Temple Emanu-El tells in the current issue of that Reform congregation’s monthly bulletin how “project-based learning” is inspiring Torah School students. “Last semester, as the students were learning about Creation stories in Genesis and elsewhere in the Jewish tradition, the drama major has been acting out scenes of the stories,” Rabbi Fried wrote. “The cooking major has been making a cook book with the creation themes featured in the recipes. The science major students made video games and project trifolds that tied into the Judaic content. Perhaps most exciting was the art major. At the end of the semester, the students and their teachers Wendy Ponomarenko and Cecille Fleetwood, painted a beautiful mural on one of the walls next to the Torah School office. The mural is entitled ‘Our Temple’s Eden’ and represents their take on the Eden story. Please be sure to come downstairs and check it out. It is stunning. This is what makes me so excited about project-based learning. Not only are the students invested in their learning, but they make real student work. And, in the case of the art major’s mural, our temple has been beautified in the process.”
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Political bytes
*Former Vice President Joe Biden, in winning the South Carolina primary by an overwhelming margin, brought his delegate total to the Democratic National Convention to within 10 of frontrunner Bernie Sanders.‘ Biden also rolled up so many popular votes that he now leads Sanders in the nationwide total of votes thus far cast for Democratic presidential candidates. On Tuesday, there will be contests in 15 states and one territory, with 1,326 delegates at stake. California is the biggest prize of the day.
*Pete Buttigieg and Tom Steyer have both dropped out of the Democratic presidential race, considerably narrowing the field for the “Super Tuesday” primary. Buttigieg had a rally planned Monday night in Chula Vista, but now, I assume, it is cancelled. Before anyone can say that the race has boiled down to Biden vs. Sanders, we need to see how Michael Bloomberg, who has spent a ton of money, will do in these contests.
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Coming our way
Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosts a dinner and a purimshpiel, utilizing many Disney songs, to retell the story of Esther, Achashuerus, Mordechai, and the evil (boo!) Haman at 5:45 p.m., Monday, March. 9. Reservations due by March 2 may be made via this website.
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Recommended reading
The Jerusalem Post reports that Bar-Ilan University had developed a speedier way for testing for coronavirus.
The New York Times has a column by Avi Shafran of Agudath Israel of America urging the use of the term “Haredim” rather than “Ultra-Orthodox.” We thank Rabbi Rafi Andrusier of Chabad of East County for bringing it to our attention.
Mervyn Danker, a columnist for the Jewish News Syndicate, says Bernie Sanders, as President, would neither defend Israel nor speak out against anti-Semitism.
World Israel News quotes Israel’s ambassador Danny Danon as calling Bernie Sanders a “liar” or a “damned fool” or both.
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In memoriam
Ellen Barnett, 100, a strong supporter of many Jewish causes, died Friday. She is the namesake for Lake Ellen Barnett at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem, among numerous other honors. Funeral arrangements were private.
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com. Obituaries in San Diego Jewish World are sponsored by Inland Industries Group LP in memory of long-time San Diego Jewish community leader Marie (Mrs. Gabriel) Berg.