Books, Poetry & Short Stories

Story of Nazi brutality published during WWII

This is not an easy, light-hearted read. Far from it. It describes in harrowing detail the experiences of George Heisler, who is one of seven men who escaped from a prison camp somewhere in rural Germany. The year is 1935, and anyone suspected of opposing the Nazi regime is liable to be summoned by the Gestapo, arrested and sent to a prison camp. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International

Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry

This year’s Tapestry, sponsored by the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture’s  JLearn, promises to be more diverse, exciting and interesting than ever before. Experts have been tapped from all over the world to contribute to this extraordinary Jewish Learning event.

The first session, the keynote address on Saturday evening, November 7,  at 7:30 p.m.,  will feature David Meltzer, named one of Forbes’ 10 best Motivational Speakers. Meltzer will discuss how to “Stabilize Your Mindset and Stay Grounded. Focus on Your Core Values Through a Jewish Lens. “ [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Caste: A Mind-Opening Book

I just made a contribution to the NAACP after being mesmerized listening to the audible edition of Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. Perhaps my contribution is a guilt offering. No matter, it is never too late to step up to the plate and take a swing against profound racial injustice in our country. [Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l

The Election from Jewish Perspectives

Often politics is eschewed by rabbis because by its very nature it polarizes us. We often lose sight of the humanity of others, believing that “everyone’s entitled to MY opinion” or failing to believe that someone with diametrically opposed views is just as caring and compassionate a person as we are. Personally, I have experienced this on multiple fronts: in rabbinical school, where I was more conservative than the majority of my peers and in a previous synagogue where some felt I was a “bleeding heart liberal.” I take it in good stride, believing that if I displeasing people on multiple sides, I’m doing my job. [Rabbi Benjamin Herman]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Examining Jesus as a human

According to James is an interesting and thoughtful book. Whether readers are Christians, Jews, Muslims, or something else, and even if they strongly disagree with the story Howard Rubenstein tells about James, an older brother of Jesus, they will find that the story prompts them to think about many aspects of religion. The story is fiction. But it is based on the views of many scholars. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

Humor, song lyrics, and Jewish practice

Sam Glaser’s The Joy of Judaism contains 407 pages of very interesting insights into Jewish practices offered to readers by a very accomplished communicator in a clear, often humorous, always insightful and inspiring way. Glaser’s book covers virtually all aspects of Judaism. He shows readers how they can enjoy Jewish practices. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

Two Jewish tales to read to your youngsters

With illustrations accurately depicting life as it was in the 1880s, this is the tale of Nate, a king-size, gentle spirit who loves helping people.  His magic can stretch a small lump of chocolate big enough for an entire family or a small jar of oil long enough to last eight days. He takes a special liking to the Glaser family as they journey from Europe in the late 1870s and follows them as they work side by side with their neighbors, the O’Malleys in their new American life. [Marcia Bernegere]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Streaming Jewish programs (Oct. 18-23)

Compiled by Laurie Baron, Ph.D SAN DIEGO — All times are Pacific Daylight Time. Sunday, October 18 8 am  Luca Ascoli, “The Jews of Italy,” Sephardic World. 8 am  Yevilah McCoy, “Keynote Address,” Jewish Coalition for Racial Equity Virtual Conference. 8 am Moshe Halbertal and Jonathan Sacks, “Strange New World- Conversations in Times of Crisis- Religious

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Streaming Jewish programs (Oct. 11-16)

  Compiled by Laurie Baron, Ph.D All times Pacific Daylight Time Sunday, October 11 11am  Mikhal Dekel, “Tehran Children: A Holocaust Refugee Odyssey,” Ghetto Fighters’ House Museum. Monday, October 12 10 am   Elai Rettig, “Israel’s ‘Special Relationship’ with the US,” Israel Center, Washington University. 10 am  Eliezer Diamond, “Generosity, Gratitude, and Faith: Rav Eliyahu Dessler’s

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

Bullied as a student? Here’s how you can recover

  By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO —  The short-term and long-term psychological effects of bullying – on either side of the bullying fence, as a victim or as an aggressor – are well documented. Sadly, Jewish day schools, synagogues, youth groups and camps are not necessarily free of children and teens intentionally and

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell