Below are the names of writers who are currently active. For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com
Donald Trump shocked the National Association of Black Journalists by revealing that Kamala Harris has identified as Indian until recently. His highly developed sense of ethnicity and race detects the actual backgrounds of the people he loathes. Here are some of the frauds he has exposed. {Laurie Baron}
Satire: The Arbiter of Biracialism Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
What if Sherlock Holmes lived in modern times and were a woman? And what if Watson were also a woman and the two met accidentally when Watson answered an ad for a flatmate? That seems to be the inspiration for Kate Hamill’s reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes story in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B now playing at the Old Globe. [Sandi Masori]
Holmes and Watson Reimagined as Modern Women Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
This week, I found my attention torn in so many directions. We marked the unthinkable 300th day of war in Israel since October 7 and the heartbreaking 300th day of captivity for the remaining hostages. The terrible attack in Majdal Shams, the increasingly tense situation in the North of Israel, and our own divisive election cycle competed for views with the pageantry, patriotism, and moments of incredible athleticism of the Olympics. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Woeful News from Israel; Mixed News from Olympics and at Home Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I’ve just celebrated my 70th birthday. This transition to a new decade is undoubtedly a milestone. You might wonder, do I have angst about aging? Well, a little. But mostly I’ve been celebrating the occasion and looking forward to the years ahead. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]
70 and Counting … Joyfully Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Tifereth Israel Synagogue announced Thursday that Rabbi Hanan Leberman will be its new rabbi. The Lebermans will pack up their home in Israel and plan to arrive in San Diego in September, just in time to lead the High Holy Day Services. The announcement indicated that Leberman will bring innovative ideas and ruach (spirit) to the Conservative congregation while incorporating the best of the synagogue’s traditions. [Cailin Acosta]
Tifereth Israel Chooses Hanan Leberman as Its Next Rabbi Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Songs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dust in the Wind” opened me up to a much greater world and introduced me to the power of lyrics, offering a wider outlook on life. For instance, the first time I heard the lyric from Kansas, “Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea, all we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see,” I was struck by its beauty and depth. [Shahar Masori]
An Israeli-American Perspective: Symbiotic Relationship of Music in Our Two Countries Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
By Barrett Holman Leak SAN DIEGO — There is deep grief, shock and trauma right now over the fatal police shooting in Springfield, Illinois of 36-year-old Sonya Massey — in her own home, after calling police for help. The nation is traumatized and angry. Calls for justice abound. What people know is the details of
In a previous version, indigenous people were called redskins or savages, spoke in broken English, and had a number called “Ugg-a-wug” that used jibberish lyrics. That number has been replaced by a song called “Friends Forever” in which the Native Americans and the Darling children teach each other some dances from their respective cultures. [Sandi Masori]
Updated ‘Peter Pan’ Respects Indigenous People Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
I was pained even thinking about my mother being confused, uncertain, or dependent. I wanted to believe that her memory lapses were normal for her age, a result of doing too much, or even that I was being overly concerned. But, as her symptoms worsened, the truth became harder to deny. [Shayna Kaufmann, Ph.D]
To Gently Accept the Down Sides of Aging Read More »
Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined ContributorsSan Diego native, Sara Levy who made her Olympic debut in Paris with the U.S. women’s rugby team, took the bronze on Tuesday, July 30. The team stunned Australia and delivered the first-ever Olympic medal for the team and its Jewish forward, Levy. [Cailin Acosta]
Kvelling over the Olympics; Local Volunteer Opportunities Read More »
Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish History, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
We stand as a testament to “unity in diversity.” Forged in the crucible of history, we have been welded into a single, indomitable nation – Am Yisrael Chai. Yet within our mighty family beats the heart of diversity: twelve distinct tribes, each a pillar of strength, each with its own rich tradition. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Parashiot Matot – Massei: Diversity and 42 Stops on the Road of Life Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
T. W. Doane’s Bible Myths and their Parallels in Other Religions is a comprehensive exploration of the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, shedding light on their similarities with other ancient myths. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Comparing Abraham’s test with those in other cultures Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
s I watched them testify before a committee of the U.S. House of Representatives last Tuesday (April 25), it struck me that relatives of Israeli hostages had flown 5,400 miles to lobby our leaders to lobby their leaders. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Israelis Lobby U.S. Congress to Put Pressure on Netanyahu Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Starting in Manhattan, kosher wine lovers held monthly meetings called Rosh Chodesh Clubs (RCC). Club members would each bring a bottle of a delicious kosher wine to share with others. The wines had to be of a minimum age, and considered high quality, before they were permitted into club tastings. As the idea caught on, the clubs soon incorporated the idea of adding gourmet chefs to their evening festivities. [Eva Trieger]
Kosher Wines: The Talk of the Podcast Read More »
Eva Trieger, Israel, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA