By Elie Klein With Rosh Hashanah on the horizon, I am filled with excitement for the pomp and piety of the Jewish New Year. From rapturous prayer services to magnificent meals replete with ceremony and symbolism, I adore every element of this elevated and holy day. Though there is a vast collection of classic symbols […]
On Pomegranates and Human Potential Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
Their mission is to spread knowledge about Israel and the Hebrew language to school children in day schools; supplemental synagogue schools; the Kovod School, a public charter school where students learn in both English and Hebrew; and at a variety of other Jewish groups and institutions. [Donald H. Harrison]
Israeli Teen Ambassadors Strengthen Ties with U.S. Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
If your experience is like mine, you frequently have questions about your family history, but, alas, there’s no one left to answer them. [Joel H. Cohen]
Encourage Your Kids and Grandkids to Be Family Reporters Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Lifestyles, Trivia, Humor & Satire
On Saturdays, the campus of the San Diego Jewish Academy figuratively is transformed into a nest – in Hebrew, a ken – where some 300 children with mostly Mexican roots are taught in Spanish about their culture, their traditions, and how to be good people, “who will serve the community and practice tikkun olam (repair of the world).” [Donald H. Harrison]
A Nest for the Spanish-Speaking Jewish Community Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
The Matzo Chronicles By Karen Galatz Many years back, I wanted to contact one of my cousins. I didn’t have her phone number and, for the life of me, I couldn’t recall her married name. I wasn’t worried because I knew the information was in my late mother’s address book. But I couldn’t find her
An Old Address Book Holds Numbers, Memories, and So Much More Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Opinion
Picture yourself taking the New York subway in the 1980s. You’re in a cramped subway car with your shoulder hitting the person next to you, claustrophobia creeping in. The heavy graffiti heightens how grimy it feels to be on the subway, and the smell only makes it worse. Not only that, but there may be other passengers who make you feel a little uneasy. [Rowanne Reifman]
Connections and Disconnections on the New York Subways Read More »
Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
The JCC has become the local home of the BBYO movement and is actively seeking to reinvigorate in San Diego County the 100-year-old organization that began life as the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, but which is now an independent entity, using only its initials for identification purposes. [Donald H. Harrison]
Reinvigorating BBYO in San Diego County Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego CountyIn a comedy routine, Tommy Smothers used to complain to his brother Dickie, “Mom always liked you best” and parental favoritism, even if it’s just imagined, can play a hurtful role. [Joel H. Cohen]
‘Am I My Brother’s Kipa?’ and Other Sibling Relationships Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Lifestyles, USA
Retirement date was June 30th and almost immediately, the South African native traveled to a retreat center at Kfar Blum, Israel, for a family reunion that brought together relatives from various parts of the English-speaking world. Having just returned to San Diego, her most immediate task is training her Hillel successor, Danielle Botvin, but beyond that she is looking forward to “learning how to chill – I’m not good at that.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Glenda Sacks Retires after Serving San Diego’s Jewish Community for 36 Years Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
We might want to reflect this Tisha B’Av, which begins on Wednesday evening, July 26, on how we can help our fellow Jews who have fallen on hard times – an obvious reversal of the unkindness and factionalism that twice led to the downfall of ancient Jerusalem. [Donald H. Harrison]
Tisha B’Av: Time Not Only for Lamentations, But Also for Kindness Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County
Now in its eighth year of existence, San Diego Generations of the Shoah is comprised of approximately 100 descendants of survivors of the Holocaust. Its two main missions, according to Sam Landau, who chairs the steering committee, are “remembering our parents and those relatives who were murdered in the Holocaust” and “providing funds to organizations that support Holocaust education.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Descendants of Holocaust Survivors Organized to Preserve Memories Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — It is a great simcha to find love, get married, and have children. However, not everyone is so lucky. Every day, countless people all over the world break up. Some suffer divorce and separation, others a broken engagement, and many split before even getting that far. Why is this,
This year, 2023, was declared in Lodz, Poland, to be the year of Chava Rosenfarb, one of its most famous Yiddish writers. In Lethbridge, Canada, meanwhile Goldie Morgentaler, daughter and translator of Rosenfarb from Yiddish to English, completed for publication 10 of her late mother’s stories. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rosenfarb’s Short Stories Depict the Inner Worlds of Holocaust Survivors Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Fiction, Lifestyles
He sold his car and his motorcycle and purchased a van in which he could live, instead of a more expensive apartment, while pursuing an associate of arts degree en route to earning certification as a Registered Nurse. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chabad Congregation Helped Former Van Dweller Obtain a Nursing Degree Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education