The Arts

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Alan Menken

Courtesy of Wikipedia Alan Irwin Menken (July 22, 1949) is an American composer, best known for his scores and songs for films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and Skydance Animation. Menken’s music for The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and Pocahontas (1995) have each won him two Academy Awards. He also composed the scores and songs for Little Shop of […]

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Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

‘Letters for Life’ Worthy of Keeping as a Trusted Companion

As I’ve seen in my own practice over the many years, I’ve turned more and more to the healing power of Torah study and this leaps off the pages of this essential read, as we see the need for emotional wellness guidance and education more than ever. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Two-Night ‘Henry 6’: An Enjoyable Time- and Gender-Bending Spectacle

This production marks a pretty significant achievement, in that it completes the Shakespeare canon for the Globe, meaning that over the course of its history, The Old Globe has produced all of Shakespeare’s plays, thereby joining a very small club of theaters that have done so.  [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Zooming into Calabria, Italy’s Jewish History

So many Italian names have Jewish meanings, links or describe Jewish occupations. Her website has a section devoted to this study.  For just a small sampling, Bonanno means good year, Shana Tova. Ferrari was the name given to the Jewish craftsmen who were skilled wrought iron workers from Spain. The names were useful in making shidduchim, and served as a sort of “Jewish Geography.” [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Laszlo Moholy-Nagy

Courtesy of Wikipedia László Moholy-Nagy (July 20, 1895 – November 24, 1946) was a Hungarian painter, photographer, and professor in the Bauhaus school. He was highly influenced by constructivism and a strong advocate of integrating technology and industry into the arts. The art critic Peter Schjeldahl called him “relentlessly experimental” because of his pioneering work in painting, drawing, photography, collage,

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International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Beating the Heat During Jewish-Event-Filled Summer

is the heat getting to be too much in the middle of the day? Temple-Emanu-El offers a safe COOL place to get out of the heat. If you need a place to hang out to beat the heat and enjoy air-conditioning, it will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Mixed Israeli-Palestinian Choir Advances on ‘America’s Got Talent’

The Jerusalem Youth Chorus, comprised of Palestinians and Israelis, advanced through the audition phase of America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, July 16.  A video of the chorus’ performance and the reaction of the celebrity judges is seen here [SDJW staff report]

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Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Take A Clue from Deborah Szekely and Take Care of Yourself

102-year-old, Deborah Szekely of San Diego continues to work at a wellness resort she co-founded in the 1940’s at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Baja California. Szekely shares her longevity tips, including walking every day. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Female Version of ‘The Odd Couple’ at Lamplighters

Lamplighters’ cast is dynamic, spirited and evinces some great chemistry. Olive (Erin Grayce) and Florence (Yvone Nguyen) are beautifully complementary and it is easy to see why they make each other mashugga. Olive is a slob, happy to eat take-out nightly, and enjoys a laid-back approach to life. Newly separated Florence is uptight, a neat freak, and enjoys showcasing her culinary and decorative arts. [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Maimonides Had Better Ideas than Hermann Cohen Did

German Jewish philosopher Hermann Cohen (1842-1918) was a neo-Kantian philosopher. Jewish Virtual Library describes him as “probably the most important philosopher in the nineteenth century.” His book Religion of Reason: Out of the Source of Judaism has been praised by many thinkers. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Scott Rudin

Courtesy of Wikipedia Scott Rudin (July 14, 1958) is an American film, television, and theatre producer. His films include the Academy Award-winning Best Picture No Country for Old Men, as well as Uncut Gems, Lady Bird, Fences, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, School of Rock, Zoolander, The Truman Show, Clueless, The Addams Family, and eight Wes Anderson films. On Broadway,

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Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia