Books, Poetry & Short Stories

American remembers a life in Israel

There are figs in Israel, of course.  But alligators?  Perhaps in a zoo.  The title is explained in Chapter 3 of this memoir.  In Hebrew, figs are te’enim and alligators are taninim. It’s easy for an American just learning Hebrew to get the two confused.  Imagine going into a market and asking the vendor for a kilogram of alligators. {Donald H. Harrison]

American remembers a life in Israel Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA

Book Review: ‘Inflitration’ by Joshua Kenaz

The death a few months ago of Israeli author, Joshua Kenaz, led to renewed interest in his work, and impelled me to read this book (published by Am Oved in 1986). For me, reading a novel in Hebrew involves embarking on an enterprise that I know in advance will tax my patience and ability to persevere, especially as in this case the book comprises some six hundred pages of closely-printed Hebrew text. However, I decided to stick the course and acquaint myself with the writing of someone who is considered to be a bulwark of contemporary Israeli literature. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Book Review: ‘Inflitration’ by Joshua Kenaz Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 17-23, 2021) 

SAN DIEGO – Following are Jewish-interest programs intended for academic and lay audiences that may be accessed via the Internet All times are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 17-23, 2021)  Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Book Review: Esther in America

The biblical book Esther made a significant impact upon Americans, Jews and non-Jews, as seen in the new book Esther in America.

As I described in detail in my book Ruth, Esther, and Judith, the biblical book Esther is in no way similar to what many think the book contains. Most noteworthy is that it contains no mention of God and no indication that the Judeans observed any biblical command. Even when the Judeans fasted when prompted by Esther’s request, no mention is made that they prayed for divine aid. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Book Review: Esther in America Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Can a Robot be Jewish-Jewish-Jewish?

Beginning in 2005, Nadine Epstein, current editor of Moment Magazine, a well-respected Jewish publication since its founding in 1975 by the late Elie Wiesel and Leonard Fein, initiated an “Ask the Rabbi” column, distinguishing itself from other similar columns by asking not one, but many rabbis to respond. “Ask the Rabbi” column seeks advice from rabbis across the full spectrum of Jewish thought and theology – including, Humanist and Independent Judaism on the left, through Reform and Conservative, and on to Orthodox, Sephardic, and Chabad on the right. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]

Can a Robot be Jewish-Jewish-Jewish? Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD

An Ancient Still-Relevant Play about War’s Ravages

The Trojan Women is a superb translation and adaptation of a splendid play by Euripides (about 480 to about 406 BCE) who wrote tragedies in ancient Athens. Scholars estimate that he wrote over 90 plays, most of which have been lost during the past 2,500 years. Only about a dozen and a half survived. The Trojan Women was first performed in 415 BCE. It is based in large part upon the classic Iliad by Homer which describes the war between the Greeks and Trojans. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

An Ancient Still-Relevant Play about War’s Ravages Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 10-16, 2021)

Following are streaming Jewish programs of academic and lay interest that may be accessed via the Internet.  All times Are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 10-16, 2021) Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Commentary: I loved Roald Dahl’s books as a kid. And he was anti-Semitic. I am teaching my kids how to deal with a complicated legacy

As a mother of two young children, I’m in that season of life when the prospect of enjoying a rich novel or scintillating memoir seems remote. Empty nesters warn that the joy of reading will return sooner than I may want. Instead of embracing the thrill of Erik Larson’s narrative nonfiction, I’ll find myself wallowing

Commentary: I loved Roald Dahl’s books as a kid. And he was anti-Semitic. I am teaching my kids how to deal with a complicated legacy Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories

Bibliophilia, Bibliomania and Bookworms

This striking coffee table book is a mix of Architectural Digest treatment visiting homes with gorgeous interiors, and crucial space dedicated to books, and brief philosophical blurbs about loving books. Thirty-two vignettes with lush photography reveal volumes owned by book collectors, authors and bookstore owners, and with a little help from a magnifying glass, the authors and titles on their shelves. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D, J.D]

Bibliophilia, Bibliomania and Bookworms Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Oliver Pollak

Exploring Jewish and Chinese connections in San Diego

Li-rong (Lilly) Cheng, Ph.D., director of the Chinese Cultural Center at San Diego State University, loves well-told stories about China, whether they be fiction or non fiction. Over the years, she has been involved in promulgating stories of each type, and in two particular cases, the story telling has involved Jews. [Donald H. Harrison]

Exploring Jewish and Chinese connections in San Diego Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

A Siddur for the Holocaust

This new groundbreaking work helps a generation of Jews, many of whom have felt incapable of expressing prayer when speaking about the evils and horrors of the Holocaust. At last, somebody has come up with a way to help survivors, the children of survivors, and ordinary thoughtful people who have felt as if they were wandering in the wilderness of silence. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

A Siddur for the Holocaust Read More »

Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi