The Tacos and Tequila Festival at the Handlery Hotel San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 22, is an event that holds a special place in my heart. Not only is my husband, Albert, the general manager of the hotel, but this celebration also reflects a beautiful blend of cultures that resonates deeply with me—particularly the Mexican-Jewish community and my own connection to Hispanic culture. [Miriam Gershenson]
Viktor Frankl, a cheerful and loving doctor, found joy in life’s simple pleasures despite experiencing unimaginable suffering in concentration camps. At 19, the author, Frankl’s grandson, Alexander Vesely-Frank, discovered the extent of his grandfather’s suffering through Man’s Search for Meaning.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Embracing Hope’ Brings Back Viktor Frankl’s Life-Affirming Philosophy Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The news in Israel was dominated by a handful of personalities who became household names. These were not just journalists but figures of authority, often blurring the lines between reporting, politics, and activism. [Shahar Masori]
An Israeli-American Perspective: The Media’s Power Read More »
Israel, News Media, Opinion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jewish Family Service of San Diego urges donations from the community for its annual High Holy Days Food Drive. It will start Monday, September 30 and conclude Saturday, October 12. [Cailin Acosta]
Approaching High Holy Days Prompt Philanthropic Campaigns in Jewish Community Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Dershowitz was involved as a defense and appeals court attorney in so many memorable cases – those that filled our newspapers and nightly television news – that in attempting to enumerate them all, biographer Schmidt could devote only a few pages to any one of them. This resulted in the biography providing broad coverage of Dershowitz’s life and career but with only limited depth. [Donald H. Harrison]
Dershowitz Biography Skims Over Some Famous Cases, Concentrates on Trump, Epstein Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Questioning weapons for Israel is fair game. However, I do not hear anyone telling Iran to cease its endless supply of weapons to its proxies close to Israel’s borders – like Hamas, Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Britain’s Mideast Arms Policy Penalizes Israel; World is Silent About Iranian Arms Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
As we approach our High Holidays, it’s natural to feel a sense of trepidation and fear about the future. In our spiritual journey, the phrase “al tira” – “do not be afraid” – is laced into the very foundation of our faith. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Shoftim: Be Not Afraid and Judge Favorably Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Maple Mehta-Cohen had dyslexia and was forced to repeat the fifth grade, turning her life upside down. [Cailin Acosta]
Trials and Tribulations of a Dyslexic Fifth-Grader Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Hersh Polin-Goldberg and his family had become the symbol of hope and courage in the fight to bring the hostages home. We were all sure he’d be traded for some kind of hostage deal and be returned home safely. [Ilanit Zakowski]
OpEd: How Can We Find the Words? Read More »
Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
With radical groups rounding up the citizenry and imprisoning, executing and persecuting at will, entropy was the order of the day. [Eva Trieger]
Four Women’s Stories Dramatize French Revolution’s ‘Reign of Terror’ Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & BroadcastMonday 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]
Activities Resume Following Labor Day in Schools, Sports and Some Jewish Organizations Read More »
Cailin Acosta, California, Israel, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
This book is an ode to a child’s imagination. On each of the first seven nights of Hanukkah, a young girl gets a present from her parents. She imagines them to be a dragon that she names Nerry; a rainbow; a treasure chest filled with gold coins and rubies; a merry-go-round, a time-travel machine; rocket boots, and three unicorns. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hanukkah Book is a Tribute to a Child’s Imagination Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food
An exhibit has opened that captures the horror and heartbreak of a day that will forever be etched in the memories of many. The Nova Exhibit, running until October 8, 2024, is a powerful and somber tribute to the Nova festival in Israel, where a day of celebration was shattered by an unspeakable act of violence. [Miriam Gershenson]
Exhibition Captures Horror of Oct. 7 Nova Music Festival Read More »
California, Israel, Jewish History, Miriam Gershenson, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Author Jeffrey Jaffe in Why Abraham? explores the Jewish people’s “chosen-ness” with questions such as, why would God designate any nation to be special, and specifically what possessed God to select Abraham as patriarch? [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Why Did God Select Abraham to Be Our Patriarch? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors