Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Thousands at JCC Mark First Yahrzeit of October 7, 2023 Massacre Victims

It is hard to believe that a year later, the war is still waging and 101 hostages both dead and alive are still living the nightmare in Gaza. The trauma affects Jews all around the world. This was evident at the Lawrence Family JCC lawn where thousands of people gathered to commemorate and unite. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony Inaugurates Refurbished Music Hall

The San Diego Symphony’s opening concert of its subscription series featured Mahler’s Symphony #2, “Resurrection,” an appropriate choice as the orchestra resumes residency in its beautifully refurbished hall, now renamed, the Jacobs Music Center. [Eileen Wingard]

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

Treasures Can Be Found Everywhere if You Look for Them

The saying “one man’s (or in this case, woman’s) trash is another person’s treasure” takes on a whole different meaning. Local San Carlos artist, Roni Breite held an open house at her private residence on Sunday, Sept. 29 for friends and family to view her creations and purchase them if they so desired. Every room in the house, even the bathrooms, had items on display on the walls. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Trolley Dances Unite San Diego Through Movement

The first performance at the Gaslamp Quarter trolley station showcased a group choreography where dancers interacted while preserving individuality through solos. Clad in leisure wear, they made dance accessible to all, even inspiring a child in the audience to join in the fun. The dancers creatively utilized the station’s three pillars, adding an engaging visual dynamic that drew the attention of passing commuters. [Nevo mathis-Masury]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Malashock Dance’s Jewish Roots and Community Influence

Residing at 2650 Truxtun Road in Liberty Station, San Diego, Malashock Dance is more than just a dance company—it’s a cultural institution with deep ties to the Jewish community and a passion for inclusivity and artistic expression. [Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

SF Bay Area Flash Dancers Put on Pro-Israel Performance in San Diego

“One Tribe/ One Star” cofounders Isa Marcus and Laurence Mechali said they formed their dance group in April to show support for Israel which had been suffering the traumatizing after-effects of the Oct. 7 massacre for a half year. [Donald H. Harrison and Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Leap Year ‘Delays’ Rosh Hashanah

Why is Rosh Hashanah so “late” this year? I have many memories of Rosh Hashanah occurring around going back-to-school and the end of summer. But some years it starts in October. Some Jewish years are leap years, in which an entire extra month is added to the calendar. This can result in certain Jewish holidays coming much later than in non-leap years. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Return to Israel after a Vacation a Pleasure Despite All

Life in Israel is anything but sweet at the moment, with a difficult political situation, war in Gaza, over one hundred hostages still being held by Hamas and the heat of high summer. And yet, coming back to our home after being away for over a month was sweet and enjoyable. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Sept. 11 Memorial in Jerusalem Conflated with Oct. 7th Remembrance

The ceremony was held at the 9-11 Living Memorial where the names of all 2,977 of those victims are permanently engraved in an amphitheater dominated by a large empty tomb topped by a sculpted American flag with a representation of a flame at its tip. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Great Songs of the Yiddish Theatre to be Highlighted Sept. 12 at the JCC

As curator and moderator of these programs, I am pleased to have as my guest the outstanding scholar of the Yiddish Theater, Ron Robboy, who will share in the introductions of the 14-selection playlist.  [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Activities Resume Following Labor Day in Schools, Sports and Some Jewish Organizations

Monday was Labor Day and many celebrated by working as little as possible and celebrating the “unofficial end of summer.” Why is it called the “end of summer,” yet summer technically ends Sunday, September 22? [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Shabbat meal, its origin, beauty, and intelligence

The Shabbat meal contains significant items, including zemirot, which are medieval songs and ancient biblical psalms. They are a powerful means of preserving and showcasing Jewish culture’s rich and diverse nature. These sacred, secular, serious, and playful lyrics praise God and the Shabbat, transforming the meal into a time of joy and inspiration. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food