Theatre, Film & Broadcast

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]

Diverse lectures on tap at Tapestry Read More »

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

Some underlying reasons for zombies’ popularity

Every year around Halloween, many Americans watch various monster movies about creatures who are often “undead.” Let’s be honest; nothing is appealing about zombies. They lack the sexiness of vampires; they lack the glamor and good manners. At least vampires know how to blend in society. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

Some underlying reasons for zombies’ popularity Read More »

Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Campa-Najjar tells stands on Mideast Peace, BDS

Congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar, reacting to an unfavorable story carried about him by the Breitbard news organization, reiterated on Wednesday his support for a peaceful two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians, and his opposition to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. [Donald H. Harrison]

Campa-Najjar tells stands on Mideast Peace, BDS Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Can Antisemitism be laughed off?

What if we fight hate with satire like comedians try to do? Could that be an effective way to tackle conspiracy theories against Jews? I think, “Yes.” Regardless of whether it is done in a straightforward fashion or from the flip side, what matters most is to awaken the question of why the endless Jew-hatred exists, as an important step to solving the problem for good. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

Can Antisemitism be laughed off? Read More »

Lifestyles, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Film Review: Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something

If you are part of my generation, you’re familiar with Harry Chapin, the singer-songwriter. But he was so much more than that! He used his musical gifts to fight hunger and poverty with a passion. This documentary tells the story along with a plethora of fine Harry Chapin music. [Sheryl Rowling]

Film Review: Harry Chapin: When in Doubt, Do Something Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sheryl Rowling, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Viewing the U.S. 30 years after making aliyah

Today, it’s a totally different story in the US and probably everywhere in the West. People who still watch television news expect to hear opinions which are in line which they share – the echo chamber effect. There’s much opinion and subjective (slanted) reporting with very little objective reporting. It’s the same whether on TV, cable, or social networks. The news is no longer something that is subject to debate. It’s this or it’s that, and never shall the twain meet. There is no doubt about the facts. The fact is absolutely this to one group, and it is absolutely that to the opposing group. Therefore, there’s nothing which allows a differing opinion. Put another way, anyone with a differing opinion doesn’t know the facts. [Steve Kramer]

Viewing the U.S. 30 years after making aliyah Read More »

Middle East, Steve Kramer, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Kids Team as Hanukkah Detectives in this Internet Production

Hanukkah is coming! Here is a wonderful entertainment opportunity for kids ages 6-12 that incorporates the Hanukkah story into a fun mystery they can solve at home. Becky Cherlin Baird is the founding Artistic Director for the J’Company Youth Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC. She is the proud owner of Kids on Stage Productions and has worked in a variety of Broadway productions, including Fiddler on the Roof. [Marcia Berneger]

Kids Team as Hanukkah Detectives in this Internet Production Read More »

Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Are sports, entertainment waning in wake of Covid19?

American entertainment and sports have shaped US society and influenced and appealed to the interest of a global audience for decades. This, however, seems to be changing. Media analysis shows that ratings of the once most popular programs are hitting historic lows as a result of the coronavirus crisis. I would not pay it particular attention were it not for pop culture’s predominance in people’s lives. Undoubtedly, it indicates a turning point, a shift, a new quest for more meaningful fulfillment that can only be achieved through human connection. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

Are sports, entertainment waning in wake of Covid19? Read More »

Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Virtual meetings spur Jewish theatre community

By Toby Klein Greenwald EFRAT, Israel — In April, the board members of the Alliance for Jewish Theater bit the bullet and decided to morph their annual autumn conference into a three-day Zoom event. Like everyone, they hoped for the best, but were being proactive and not assuming there would be a miracle. Theater makers

Virtual meetings spur Jewish theatre community Read More »

International, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Toby Klein Greenwald, USA

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

Streaming Jewish programs (Oct. 18-23) Read More »

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

Amid pandemic, Brandeis Collegiate Institute pivots to alumni

By Luke Stafford SIMI VALLEY, California –When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Los Angeles in mid-March, Rabbi Morris Panitz, director of American Jewish University’s (AJU) Ziering Brandeis Collegiate Institute (BCI), knew that this year’s iteration of the beloved summer program he oversees would be unlike anything seen in years past. For nearly eight decades, BCI—housed under

Amid pandemic, Brandeis Collegiate Institute pivots to alumni Read More »

Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Police increase patrols following attack on rabbi

Other items in this column include: *Seacrest Village has newly reconfigured kosher kitchen *Jewish organizational news *In memoriam By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Police Department considers last Saturday’s attack on Rabbi Yonatan Halevy to be a “high priority incident” and as a result will increase patrols in the University City

Police increase patrols following attack on rabbi Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Crypto Jews: Finding and Embracing their Roots

By Mimi Pollack L’Chaim San Diego Magazine SAN DIEGO — My late fiancé, an 8th generation New Mexican, used to tell me about the secret or crypto Jews of New Mexico. He was convinced that although he was raised Catholic, some of his ancestors were “Conversos” or secret Jews who came to New Mexico when

Crypto Jews: Finding and Embracing their Roots Read More »

Jewish History, Mimi Pollack, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA