Lifestyles

Good Deeds, Even Little Ones, Change the World for the Better

In a big city, a little girl notices that a swing has become unhooked on one side so that it hangs limply.  Another swing has some off both hooks and is lying on the ground. She wants to fix them. With the help of her grandmother, she rehooks the swings. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Repairing the World for Animals and Pet Owners

Since I retired, I have been exploring places to volunteer and along the way have met some incredible people working with various organizations. People who practice Tikkun Olam by volunteering. One of these volunteers, Janna Leoff, volunteers at the Helen Woodward Animal Center (HW). [Mimi Pollack]

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Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Dispute Between an Israeli Writer and a British Journal

Yes, there is a war going on, and every day we swallow the bitter pill of news about another soldier who has fallen in battle and watch on the nightly TV news the heart-wrenching funerals and eulogies for these brave young men. But normal life does go on. The sun shines and people go about their daily business. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Seeing What Author Tom Lamont Imagines in ‘Going Home’

The plot of this delightfully written, dreamlike narrative revolves around Joel, a preschooler whose mother Lea committed suicide after asking Teo, a male friend who admired her from afar, to look after him.  The life of Teo’s elderly father, Vic, apparently is resuscitated after Joel enters their lives. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

New Year’s Resolutions Are Kept for an Average of Two Weeks

I read somewhere that people stick to their New Year’s Resolutions for only two weeks. Two weeks after New Years Day, people give up. I found that a little sad.[Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Matzo Chronicles: Halal and Back

Alas, the best-laid plans of mice, men, and holiday hostesses often go awry! This I recently learned. We were scheduled to host eight Algerian exchange visitors for a “traditional” Thanksgiving meal. The group was in town for a few days as part of a multi-state tourism education program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. [Karen Galatz]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

A Vegan Celebration of the New Year

My family and I have a tradition of staying in on New Year’s Eve and I do a Thanksgiving repeat of the Tofurkey surrounded by veggies and my mushroom gravy, salad, macaroni and cheese and Julian apple pie for dessert. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Children’s Book Teaches Kindness to Animals in an Exotic Jewish Locale

The story, intended for children between the ages of 4 and 9, teaches several lessons.  Author Kierzenblat’s main message reinforces the ethical concept of being kind to animals.  Another is the fact that Jews lived throughout the Diaspora, incorporating into their daily lives the customs of the people around them. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share

Elmo and Friends Celebrate Chanukah at Sesame Place

After the kids took some rides, we made it to the Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony with Elmo at Big Bird’s Wave Pool Lawn. Courtney Adams, Assistant Supervisor of Talent Operations, sang the brachot and since Oscar the Grouch was not invited to the lighting, he unplugged the menorah. A quick fix from the crew, the menorah was lit for the sixth night celebration. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Israel Museum Exhibits Art of Joseph Hirsch, a Cousin

The exhibition displays about 25 of Hirsch’s works in pen and wash (he worked using only shades of grey) presenting his unique and insightful way of seeing the world, whether depicting sitting or reclining models, still lifes or fantastical creatures and images. It is difficult to categorize his work, which seems to lie on the cusp between surrealism and German expressionism. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

When Chanukah Donuts Started Being Filled with Jam and Other Facts

Why do we eat jelly filled donuts on Chanukah? The easy answer has to do with agriculture, food politics and the desire for something sweet. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food