LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — Young Jewish leaders from across Los Angeles joined together May 12 for an experiential, day-long, camp-style gathering hosted by Trybal Gatherings designed to ignite professionals with new ideas, inspire curiosity, and build connections. Supported by the generosity of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles and in partnership with the […]
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — There is so much acrimony and animosity in the world today. We are living under circumstances in which even typically rational people are pushed over the edge and act out. While it’s easy to see the cultural forces that are eroding civility, this generation is facing
Civility and Respect — Two Words That are No Longer in Use Today Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — A few years ago an enterprising resident of the suburb where I live, just outside Jerusalem, initiated and organized an association providing social and cultural activities for the growing number of retired persons living here. Since then the association has reached over one thousand members and conducts a
The Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) is the subject of several murals at Chicano Park. Modern genealogists say that she was the daughter of a mother of mixed indigenous and Spanish descent, Mathilde Calderon y Gonzalez, and a German Lutheran father, Guillermo Kahlo. However, Frida herself always insisted that her father, who was an important influence on both her life and her art, was actually Jewish. [Donald H. Harrison]
Frida Kahlo Loved Jews So Much She Invented Jewish Ancestry Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USABy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — I was recently made aware of the importance of being careful to avoid falling by the incident in which a friend who is a little bit younger than myself fell in her home and broke her hip. This involved a trip to the emergency room of a local
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — “They don’t allow it,” you’re told. “They wouldn’t like it….” “They have decided…” “It’s up to them.” We hear such common pronouncements often, but who are they? They are “the powers that be,” the nameless, faceless others who control our lives. They are the systems, institutions,
Roles, Tasks, Resources — Understanding the Controlling Forces Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, OpinionBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — As Passover approaches the word “tradition” assumes increasing prominence in the lives of Jews — and Israelis. Each ethnic group, and each family, has its own traditions regarding the way the festival is celebrated (cue musical interlude “Tradition” from “Fiddler on the Roof”). This was brought home to
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — A few days ago a friend came to visit me with her new puppy, a nine-month old mini-Australian shepherd. After the puppy finished exploring my apartment and drank some water, he jumped in my lap and licked my face; I was smitten. All my nurturing instincts
I Wish I Had A Dog, I’m Glad I Don’t Have A Dog, But I Do Have Teddy Bear Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — Buying a home in Israel is very different than in the U.S. The language is different, the payment structure is usually different, the legal process is different, and the numbers are different. Let’s focus on some of the numbers: Floors In the U.S., if you look at an apartment on
Israeli Real Estate, By the Numbers Read More »
Business & Finance, Gedaliah Borvick, Lifestyles, Middle East
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — The annual World Happiness Report was released a few days ago. The list starts out pretty much as expected, with Finland, Denmark, and Iceland — countries that are relatively prosperous, not involved in wars, and shielded from constant global scrutiny — taking the top spots. But that Israel is ranked
The Source of Israel’s Happiness Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, Lifestyles, Middle East, Opinion
However, there are other ways that the process of conversion can be completed, much closer to home, as Dr. Mark Scheller, an anesthesiologist, learned in 2015 when he waded from the shore of Chula Vista’s Bayside Park into the cold waters of San Diego Bay. [Donald H. Harrison]
There’s More Than One Kind of Mikvah for Conversion Ceremonies Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USABy Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — I assume that most of my readers live in places where they have access to foo clean water, a roof over their heads, and medical help 24/7, as I do. We have no fears that someone might come in the middle of the night to arrest
Four Types of Complainers: Poor Me, Legitimate, Chronic, and Strategic Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
By Mimi Pollack LA MESA, California — Afghan and American cultures are different in many ways, for example, in lifestyle and style of communication. It is always a learning experience when two cultures meet, but learning is good as it can broaden your life. The above has been true for Mary Danaher [formerly Sikes] and
Americans Helping Afghan Refugees Read More »
International, Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County
Susan Lisker recently gave the following Drash (sermon) at Ohr Shalom Synagogue. This month is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). By Susan Lisker SAN DIEGO — The Parasha for this week is Tetzaveh. It means you will command (or order). The word is from the Hebrew root TZ(adik), V(av), H(ei). It’s also
Disability Awareness: Going Further to Make This a Better World Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County