Lifestyles

County Humane Society Greatly Expands Under Its Jewish Leader

A visit in December 2021 to Weitzman’s office at San Diego Humane Society indicated that Weitzman, himself, may be the biggest dog lover in the family. “Rosie,” a young German Shepherd, and “Betty” an elderly Pit Bull mix, were ensconced on side-by-side sleeping mats located between his desk and a couch.  Rosie enthusiastically greets visitors, perhaps believing the real purpose of their visit is to see her.  She eventually settles down, taking her place alongside Bett’s mat.  Betty looks up and sighs, as if to say, “She’s a puppy, what can you do?” and placidly closes her eyes again. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share

Sunday Soundoff: Dianne Feinstein, Valentine’s Day, Super Bowl

Congratulations and Kol Hakovod to California’s senior U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, 89, who announced on Tuesday, Feb. 14, she will retire at the end of her term.  She was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992 after having served as a county supervisor and mayor of the City/County of San Francisco.  By the time of her scheduled retirement in January 2025, she will have served 32 fruitful years in the Upper House of Congress, a record for women legislators. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, USA

Dealing With Unexpected Challenges of Entering the World of People With Disabilities

By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — A few months ago, I was walking 4,000 steps a day using long strides. Then, one day as I was opening my refrigerator, the handle broke in two and I crashed onto the kitchen floor. An X-ray revealed a compression fraction in the L1 disk of

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Science, Medicine, & Education

Responding to Loved Ones Who Are Thinking of Suicide

Freedenthal says that most people who have suicidal thoughts are not in immediate danger of attempting to kill themselves.  Most are giving serious consideration to the idea but have not gotten to the point where they want to actuate their thoughts.  They are still debating with themselves, and that’s when a supportive friend, family member or partner can help them navigate toward making a life-saving choice. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education

Reps. Jacobs and Eshoo Introduce Act to Protect Abortion Privacy

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Democratic Congresswomen Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Anna Eshoo (CA-16) today introduced the Secure Access for Essential Reproductive (SAFER) Health Act to strengthen the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in the post-Roe era. The legislation would prohibit medical providers from disclosing personal health information related to pregnancy termination or loss without patient consent. [Press Release]

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Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Sunday Soundoff: Transgendered Women, Christening Ceremonies, and Israel

Having been “retired” as editor and publisher of San Diego Jewish World for more than a year, I find myself wanting to write occasional opinion columns in addition to the book reviews and features which I’ve continued to submit to our publication’s new leader Jacob Kamaras. So, with the indulgence of you readers, I’m going to sound off periodically on issues of concern to me as a Jew. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, USA

Finding Meaning in the Last Part of Your Life

This book is billed as one for women, but in fact the issues it discusses apply equally to the genders.  In her memoir, Laura Black tells of her struggles with weight and her recognition that because of it, her parents were embarrassed by her. To demonstrate her worth, she threw herself first into business and secondly into the law, eventually combining the two to create an agency to supply lawyers on a temporary basis to law firms that were crushed with work.  Her career won her recognition and plaudits, but did not erase her negative self-image. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles

Being the First Jew They’ve Known Ain’t for Sissies

being the recipient of such “first-Jew”news imposes a heavy burden. especially if, like me, your ethnic insecurity caused you to overtip when paying a bill by credit card, because the amount would be visible next to an obviously Jewish last name. Heaven forbid if we should contribute to a “cheap-Jew” stereotype. When told I was the first of my people they’d ever met, my reaction resembled that of the fictional man ordered to ride in a handcart to the guillotine “If not for the honor,” he observed, “I’d rather walk.” [Joel H. Cohen]

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Joel H. Cohen, Lifestyles

Prejudice: How Discomfort and Fear of the Unfamiliar Lead to Discrimination

By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — There are many types of prejudice, but they can broadly be placed into two categories: personal and institutional. Personal prejudice is not based on reason, nor on actual experience. It is a feeling rooted in suspicion, fear, and intolerance. It is a negative attitude and adverse

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Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion, USA

Daily Life, Obituaries and Last Rites in the Age of COVID

By Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D. RICHMOND, California — COVID has changed how we mourn. Attending funerals in temples, synagogues, and decamping to the cemetery were often followed by a meal of consolation and sitting shiva. Out of town family labored to attend. Minyan and yahrzeit mark the calendar. COVID made zooming and streaming funerals commonplace

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Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak