Mimi Pollack is a retired ESL teacher. Born in the United States, she moved as a child with her family to Mexico City, where she learned Spanish. She is particularly interested in immigrant and refugee issues, animals, and reporting on different cultures and ethnicities.
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — What do actor Herbert Siguenza and the late activist Abbie Hoffman have in common? Having had the honor to meet them both, I can say they are not only warm and charismatic, but they also share idealism as they want to make the world a better place and fight […]
Herbie and Abbie, such a match! Read More »
Mimi Pollack
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO– An artistic streak runs in Lizet Benrey’s family. Her late mother, Shirley Chernitsky, was a painter, and Benrey has followed in her footsteps. However, Benrey takes her creativity one step further. Not only is she a talented artist, she is also a filmmaker, actress, and a budding screenplay writer. Benrey
An artist moves in a new direction Read More »
Mimi PollackBy Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — About 15 years ago, a student of mine with blue eyes told me he was a Kurdish Jew. I was surprised because most of my Kurdish students at Grossmont College in nearby El Cajon were Muslim with a scattering of Christians. It turns out I was wrong. Before the
Book tells of immigrants and their Aramaic language Read More »
Mimi PollackBy Mimi Pollack ALPINE, California — Wild animals should not be behind cages! That might be your first impression when you see the pictures from Lions, Tigers, and Bears, an animal sanctuary here. However, did you know that there are more tigers born in captivity than there are in the wild? Did you know that
Sanctuary rescues exotic pets Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego Calendar
By Mimi Pollack SPOKANE, Washington — Rabbi Tamar Malino is full of hope and optimism. She has started a new life in Spokane after leaving San Diego in 2008. She still has fond memories of her former congregation in Poway where she was both assistant rabbi and rabbi at Temple Adat-Shalom. In 2008, Rabbi Tamar
Former Poway rabbi building community in Spokane Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego Calendar
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — A Long Way to Midnight is a work in progress, looking for producers to bring it to life as a staged production. On Thursday evening, July 12, I attended a first reading at the Community Actor’s Theatre. Because it was a first reading, it was like a rough
‘Long Way to Midnight’ soon to be ready for prime time Read More »
Mimi Pollack
Story and photos by Mimi Pollack TECATE, Mexico — There are only 70 to 80 people left in Baja California who speak Kumeyaay, according to Michael Wilken Robertson, an anthropologist with a specialty in ethno-botany who is curator of the Kumeyaay Museum in this city hugging the U.S.-Mexican border. In a recent interview, Wilken
Cultural Museum brings ancient Kumeyaay ways to life Read More »
Jewish History, Mimi PollackBy Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — The Line by Israel Horovitz is the longest-running play off-off Broadway, having made its debut in 1974. It has been seen in 25 countries and translated into 35 languages. One of those languages is Spanish and Teatro Punto y Coma recently presented it during the San Diego Repertory Theater’s 19th
‘The Line,’ aka ‘El Primero,’ played with gusto but script is boring Read More »
Jewish History, Mimi Pollack
By Mimi Pollack LA JOLLA, California — “Hybrid Culture.” Those words resonated with me because I was brought up in a hybrid culture. On Wednesday, May 9, there was an interesting platica [discussion] given at the Lawrence Family JCC by Isaac Artenstein, a well-known producer, writer, and director of such movies as A Day without
Lecturer traces Jewish influence on Mexican cinema Read More »
Jewish History, Mimi Pollack
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Compassion without Borders. As a teacher of English as Second Language who works with students and refugees from all over the world, those words resonated with me. Also, as a Jubu [ a Jew and student of Tibetan Buddhism], it was an honor to see His Holiness the
Dalai Lama urges peacemakers to seek peace of mind Read More »
Mimi Pollack, Travel and Food
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO –– Everyone dreams of having a grand adventure in life. However, Robert [Bob] Gannon has had many adventures since he learned how to fly in 1992. That same year, he bought a Cherokee 6 airplane [Lucky Lady] after getting a pilot’s instrument license, and flew to Paris, France,
Solo around-the-world flyer found Israel most challenging Read More »
Middle East, Mimi Pollack
By Mimi Pollack OCEANSIDE, California — Mi casa es mi casa. That is what caught my eye when I walked into the Oceanside Museum of Art this past weekend for the opening and reception of Becky Guttin’s exhibit called “We Can Work It Out”. Guttin’s play on the famous saying is on a large red
A bright, vivid remembrance of Mexico Read More »
Mimi Pollack