By Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — Bill Tammeus is a former religion columnist for the Kansas City Star and the author of several books over the years, among them They Were Just People: Stories of Rescue in Poland During the Holocaust, which he co-authored with Jacques Cukierkorn. He knows the Jewish community in Kansas […]
Columnist who studied Shoah now writes about Pope Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short StoriesSome Girls: My Life in a Harem by Jillian Lauren, published by Plume/Penguin Group, 2010 By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — Jillian Lauren was born in 1973 and was adopted as an infant by a Jewish couple in Livingston, New Jersey. Later a son was adopted. They were a middle class suburban family, gave their
From the Jewish bookshelf: ‘Some Girls’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories
The Devil in Jerusalem by Naomi Ragen; St. Martin’s Press © 2015; ISBN 978-1-250-04313-9; 306 pages, $25.99 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This novel is well-written and suspenseful, yet exceedingly difficult to read. It is about child abuse with descriptions so graphic it will make almost any reader shudder or cringe. Author Naomi
Child abuse makes important novel hard to read Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. HarrisonLA JOLLA, California (Press Release) — J* Company Youth Theatre kicks off the 23rd season with the joyful Mary Poppins. “One of the most popular Disney movies of all time is capturing hearts in a whole new way: as a practically perfect musical!” says director Joey Landwehr. Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the
J*Company schedules ‘Mary Poppins’ Oct. 17- Nov. 1 Read More »
Theatre, Film & BroadcastThe War Reporter by Martin Fletcher; St. Martin’s Press © 2015; ISBN 978-1-250-07002-9; 306 pages, $25.99. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Set in Sarajevo (Bosnia) during the siege, and in Belgrade (Serbia) ten years afterwards, this novel tells of television journalist Tom Layne briefly encountering Serbian General Ratko Mladic near the former war-torn city and trying
Amid chaos, ‘The War Reporter’ introspects Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. HarrisonBy David Amos SAN DIEGO –As we do every year, my wife and I sat at the synagogue in our preferred seat for the High Holidays services. As expected, we enjoyed the thought provoking words from our Rabbi, heard the pure and beautifully performed chants from our cantorial soloist, and greeted fellow congregants, many of
Inspiration and distraction at High Holy Day services Read More »
Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
“I spent a long time trying to look like a girl. I spent a long time feeling awkward.” By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — Virtually every son wants to be “just like dad” and every dad wants his son to be “a chip off the old block.” But what if your “mini-me” is your
‘Orange Julius’ focuses on war, transgender issues Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Theatre, Film & BroadcastJonas Salk: A Life by Charlotte DeCroes Jacobs, M.D., Oxford University Press, 2015 By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — For those of us who were children in the 1950’s, embedded in our memories of summertime fun, we also remember the horror of the dark shadow of poliomyelitis – polio – which hung over our days.
From the Jewish Library: ‘Jonas Salk’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO–Imagine waking up in the next century with those words made famous by Regis Philbin, sandblasting its way into our popular lexicon: “Is that your final answer?” Along with “Where’s the beef?” and “Yada Yada Yada,” not to mention, “You look mahvelous,” “I’ve a feeling were not in Kansas
Forget TV catch phrases; try these Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and FoodBy J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida — Dear Friends and Family, I have been a reporter since 1934, but this is my first attempt at fiction. Actually, 90% of it is true based on my life and others that I have known. Love Conquers All: A short, short story by J. Zel Lurie Her name was
101-year-old writes a love story Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short StoriesBy Eva Trieger ENCINITAS, California — Nicknamed the ADHD Festival by Director D.Candis Paule, the audience was warned, “If you don’t like what you’re watching, wait about three minutes and it’ll be over.” She was of course referring to the 2nd Annual 5 Minute Short Play Festival. About 125 people gathered at the Encinitas library
Quickie plays absorb or bore viewers in a hurry Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & BroadcastEditor’s Note: San Diego Jewish World is fortunate to have among its contributors the authors of many books. To acquaint you with them, and their literary output, we will from time to time offer articles by the authors telling of their works. This article is by Dr. Michael Mantell, an Advanced Behavior Coach based in San Diego. By
San Diego Jewish World authors: Michael Mantell Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Michael MantellBy Jack Forman LA JOLLA, California — Above and Beyond, produced by Nancy Spielberg (the youngest sister of her famous brother Steven) and deftly directed by Roberta Grossman whose film Hava Nagila screened at the 2014 San Diego Jewish Film Festival, dramatically tells the miraculous story of how Israel’s ragtag Air Force was created and
‘Above and Beyond’ tells of nascent Israel Air Force Read More »
Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Jack Forman LA JOLLA, California — Two of the most appealing and expressive pre-teen Israeli girls you will ever meet are the focus of this film portrait screened on February 8 as part of the 2015 Jewish Film Festival. Almost Friends highlights the pitfalls and the promises of trying to break down cultural and
‘Almost Friends’ almost objective about Arabs and Jews Read More »
Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast