Anyone straddling Jewish tradition and pop culture can’t help but notice the striking parallels between Liv-Action Role Playing (LARP) and the rituals of the Passover Seder. [Judith Kagan]
The Passover Seder as Live-Action Role Playing Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
How should we respect all living things? How can we respect other humans when we are anxious about them, even consider some our enemies? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Conquering Anxiety and Respecting Our Enemies Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Holocaust survivor and author Dr. Edith Eger won her second Christopher Award for the book “The Ballerina of Auschwitz.” (Cailin Acosta)
Holocaust Survivor Edith Eger Wins 2nd Writing Award Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
His poems were enjoyed by all Soviet children. Marshak’s poetry for children is a world of goodness, fun, fairy tales, original images and ringing, beautiful rhymes. He was an innovator, the creator of energetic, major, fast, inventive, cheerful and witty children’s verse. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Samuel Marshak, Soviet Children’s Writer Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
4 Paws of Love is a non-profit that takes trained and personable poodles to visit senior residences, memory care facilities, and any place where the residents can benefit from seeing, petting, and talking to a loving poodle. [Mimi Pollack]
Volunteer of the Month: Robin Kaufman, Founder of 4 Paws of Love Read More »
Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
When you’re face-to-face with antisemitism—or any brand of hate—the fury is real. It burns through your gut and shreds at your soul. Every instinct screams to scream back. To curse. To retaliate with the same venom that’s being hurled at you. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
When Hate is Aimed at Us, Let’s Not Respond in Kind Read More »
Antisemitism, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
We were treated to a huge screen and a tiny lecturer who explained to the audience what we were seeing, in a framework of what could be defined as ‘AI for Dummies,’ even though not all those attending should necessarily be described as such. While I don’t regard myself as a dummy, I’m certainly far from understanding what AI is all about. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson[
Getting Up to Speed with Artificial Intelligence Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology
Director, set designer, actor and choreographer (is there nothing this woman can’t do?) Kara Tuckfield, has gifted us with this funny, edgy and uplifting romantic comedy. Written by Austin Winsberg with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, this Broadway show opened in 2012. With nineteen songs and a run time of 90 minutes, the show hones in on the pleasures and pitfalls of the dating game. [Eva Trieger]
‘First Date’ Portrays a Couple’s Motivations, Inhibitions Read More »
Eva Trieger, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
He starts each chapter with an excerpt from the Bible or a quote from a famous Jewish thinker. He starts the book with Gan Eden and relates it to taking action, starting a garden. He cites Genesis 2:15- “Now the Lord G-d took man, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and preserve it.” [Robin Dishman]
‘Spiritual Gardener’ Joyfully Considers Serene Pasttime Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
Although Mary grew up with a secular upbringing in Budapest, she responded “in the camps I prayed. I prayed and I knew God was listening. My mother, a non-religious woman, told me that this is the story of our people- we suffer but have lived through it and have gotten this far- we will continue to survive and live a beautiful life when we’re out of here.” [Ilanit Zakowski]
Words of Survivors Will Live on, Though Survivors Will Pass Read More »
Antisemitism, Holocaust, Ilanit Zakowski, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe task force’s initial effort will be to persuade local governments in San Diego County, including the City of San Diego, to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism. [Cailin Acosta]
StandWithUS Establishes Antisemitism Task Force for San Diego County Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
Today, among his rabbinical duties as a rabbi at the Adventure Judaism Congregation, he prepares 20 students a year for B’nai Mitzvah during a course of study that involves 15 outdoor adventures. The curriculum culminates in a ceremony conducted in an outdoor setting selected by the student. [Jim Winnerman]
Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA
The researchers found that 23.9% of the users who engage in sports do so to improve their appearance, 18.9% exercise to maintain their physical health, and 16.9% exercise to maintain their mental health. They used artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to scan thousands of posts on the Reddit social network to reach their conclusions. [Press Release]
More Exercisers Do So to Look Good than to Stay Healthy Read More »
Israel, Lifestyles, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Technology
Then came the “crossing the threshold” ceremony. I was asked to reflect on what I wanted to leave behind in my 50s and what I wanted to welcome into my 60s. The answer came instantly:”enoughness.” I wanted to release the old stories that whispered, “I haven’t done enough,” “I haven’t served enough,” “I haven’t tried hard enough”—all feeding the belief that I am not enough. [Shayna Kaufmann]
Reflections on Turning 60: Being Enough Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors