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
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz RENO, Nevada — I was in New York recently to see a jolly round of nine shows. A surprise favorite was the musical, Harmony, about the Comedian Harmonists, an internationally famous German singing group that was forced to disband because of antisemitism amid the rise of fascism before World […]
Harmony in Unharmonious Times Read More »
Holocaust, International, Karen Galatz, Opinion, USA
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Oct. 25, President Biden voiced doubt about the death toll of Gaza inhabitants in light of Hamas’ record of lies and brutality. Oct. 26, Biden reportedly apologized to five Muslim leaders for questioning Hamas’ casualty figures, even lowering himself to admit he was “disappointed in myself.” His Oct. 26
Gaza and the Vulnerable President Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — A basic aspect of life in Israel is the requirement that every adult, whether male or female, must serve in the IDF for a few years upon reaching the age of 18. While serving in the military, soldiers are trained in one of the many areas in which
Family in Reserves Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Opinion
This is a memoir of an American falling in love with a French man who is more traditional in his religious observance than she is. They marry and live for a while in France, but Israel calls to him. She wants to live in the familiar U.S. of A. He wants his family to be raised as traditional Jews in Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — What an incredible week we’ve got coming up! With the joyous celebrations of Chanukah and the always-awaited Shabbat, it’s a whirlwind of excitement. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and the festive happenings, it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly on the move. But
Parashat Vayeishev: Pushing the Pause Button Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Enjoy a prelude to your first night of Hanukkah with Hanukkah Music, part of the series, Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library. This free program will be held in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC on Thursday, December 7, 2:00-3:30 p.m. [Eileen Wingard]
Recorded Hanukkah Music to Provide Holiday Prelude Dec. 7 Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
By Mark D. Zimmerman Henry Kissinger died last week at the age of 100. Born in 1923 in Germany, Kissinger and his family fled the country in 1938 to escape increasing antisemitism, including beatings he suffered by Hitler Youth gang members. He went to college in New York, studying accounting, until he was drafted into
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Henry Kissinger, Z”L Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Upon reflecting on my work as an advocate for battered women, I realize what drives me is my memory of how Jewish women were once deemed utterly dispensable; they were loathed and discarded after gang rapes by their Nazi tormentors. What I saw last month in the Hamas attack on Israeli women was eerily reminiscent of those atrocities of yesteryear. [Amy Neustein, Ph.D]
Women’s Groups Distressingly Mum about Hamas Raping Israeli Women, Children Read More »
Amy Neustein, Israel, Opinion, USA
Catherine (Liliana Talwatte) is mourning her mathematician father Robert (Francis Gercke) who has recently passed after she took care of him through several years of mental illness. Her sister Claire (Wendy Maples) comes in from New York for the funeral and wants to bring Catherine back with her. [Sandi Masori]
‘Proof’ Delivers Despite Moments of Confusion Read More »
San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Jacob Kamaras DENVER — Joe Biden could be the “last Zionist president” of the United States, former Israeli diplomat Ido Aharoni Aronoff said in a session at the Jewish National Fund-USA Global Conference for Israel in Denver on Sunday. That is because Biden is “part of that generation that understands the time when Israel
Biden Could be the ‘Last Zionist President,’ Former Israeli Diplomat Says Read More »
Israel, Jacob Kamaras, USA
By Elona Baron as Barked to Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — When your human is Jewish, you observe Hanukkah. Most Jews don’t know about the Book of Maccabeagles who attacked the Seleucids. They were the first to coin the acronym MAGA (Maccabeagles Against Greek Aggressors). Jewish dogs love latkes being tossed at them because they
Satire: A Hound’s Hanukkah Hymns Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Some people become increasingly conservative as they age; but the reverse has been true in Dosick’s life. He grew up in a Conservative congregation but decided to enter the Reform seminary of Hebrew Union College because he objected to the Jewish Theological Seminary of the Conservative movement on two grounds. First, it still separated men and women during prayer services and Dosick opposed mehitzahs (physical barriers). Second the JTS leadership was then on record supporting the war in Vietnam in the mistaken belief that if the U.S. left Vietnam to the Communists, its support for Israel against its enemies also might be shaky. [Donald H. Harrison]
By Doron Krakow What to make of a week? What to make of this one? It began with the grudging release of hostages from the clutches of Hamas. Slowly they emerged. Wide-eyed. Traumatized. Haunted. Nearly all of them women and children. They’d been released knowing that others, many from their own families, remained behind. Only
Of Heroes and Leaders Read More »
Doron Krakow, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Jacob Kamaras DENVER — Israeli social entrepreneur Gidi Grinstein remembered his experiences with former Sha’ar HaNegev Mayor Ofir Libstein, who was killed while defending Kibbutz Kfar Aza during the October 7 Hamas attacks, in remarks at the Jewish National Fund-USA Global Conference for Israel in Denver on Friday. This past January, Libstein invited Grinstein
‘Very Proud of His Turf:’ Slain Sha’ar HaNegev Mayor Remembered at JNF-USA Conference Read More »
Israel, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County, USA