Lifestyles

Book Review: The Wisdom of Getting Unstuck

Written by Rabbi Shimshon Meir Frankel, a clinical psychologist living in Zichron Yaakov, Israel, who also practices as a marriage and family therapist, with more than 25 years of experience, his book stands out with its Torah-driven, short-term, solution-oriented focus anchored in ancient wisdom. It puts the reader in the driver’s seat with very concentrated tools to live free of foreign, unhelpful thoughts, “antagonists,” and unhealthy behaviors – it is soul focused and value grounded. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell

Good News From Israel (June 20, 2021)

In the June 20, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Will We Lose the House of Israel to Another Nation?

A bit of friendly advice for my fellow Jews, and especially those from Israel residing in San Diego.  The House of Israel, which has been open continuously in Balboa Park since 1948–the same year Israel was created–is now in danger of losing its charter.  The dedicated volunteers who do their best to keep the House open every Saturday and Sunday, as required by the City of San Diego, are wearying.  Some are getting too old to maintain that type of schedule; others are experiencing burnout. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

On a Dog’s Post-COVID Life

have been receiving many Barks (the dog equivalent to Tweets) from curious dogs (cats don’t have a monopoly on curiosity!) who wonder why I haven’t written a column since December.  Like my human companions, I have been confined at home except for my daily walks. Now that we can return to a semblance of normality, here’s how my life will be different. [Elona Baron as told to Laurie Baron]

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Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Israeli Company Promotes Moroccan Argan for Skin Care, Good Nutrition, and Women’s Empowerment

Since 2018, HAF has partnered with FRÉ Skincare. Founded by Michael Azoulay and Mickael Bensadoun, FRÉ Skincare is a skincare company that emphasizes giving back to the Moroccan community, specifically women. This is achieved through the planting of argan trees in Morocco, specifically in the Province of Essaouira. In essence, planting argan trees serves as the primary means of community building and increased women’s involvement in order to create brighter futures for the community. [Zuha Afzal]

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Business & Finance, International, Lifestyles, Middle East, Travel and Food

Lawrence Family JCC, Camp Mountain Chai Participate in National Wellness Program

Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) – overnight summer camps in particular – are instituting new wellness safeguards to support both campers and staff, ensuring a successful experience for all.  JCC Camps represent the largest network of Jewish camps in North America, at more than 170 sites. Well-being issues also have touched the lives of camp staff members, many of them in later adolescence themselves.. [Mark S. Young]

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Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA

App Unveiled to Help Law Enforcement Be More Culturally Sensitive

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced on Thursday the development of a new phone app to help members of law enforcement be more culturally sensitive when they have interactions with any of 12 ethnic and religious groups. The dozen groups include 1) African American Youth; Asian; Chaldean; East African/ Somali; East African/ Somali Youth; Karen/ Karenni (from Burma); Latinx Youth; Mexican and Mexican American; Muslim; Native Americans, Samoans, and Vietnamese. It was not deemed necessary to include Jews among the groups, but I think this was a mistake. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA

‘Choosing Judaism’ Provides Cheerful and Painful Accounts

Why do you want to become Jewish? How is Judaism, with its many rules and rituals, a more appropriate religion, than your former religion or lifestyle? How do you identify with the Jewish people in relation to Israel, world Jewry, the local Jewish community, and your local synagogue? These are just some types of questions that people are asked by a Bet Din, a rabbinical court, before their official conversion into Judaism. [Heather Z. Rothstain]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles

Tikkun Olam: Adventures in Tijuana

Saturday, May 15th was Teacher’s Day in Mexico. Teachers were celebrated all over the country.  As a retired teacher, I found it the perfect day to go to Tijuana on a delivery run to a migrant shelter built on a canyon in a poorer neighborhood. My friends, Alba Orr who is retired from Grossmont College and Juan Martin Sajche, a Spanish teacher at Morse High School, and I met at my home at 9 a.m.. We filled two cars up with large bags of stuffed animals, different snacks, mandarins, juice boxes, and school supplies. [Mimi Pollack]

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International, Lifestyles, San Diego County

Adventures as a Cruise Ship Lecturer

One day in 1992, I received a phone call from a man who was representing Norwegian Cruise Lines after he had seen me on television. He said one of their ships was about to sail from Miami for a trip around South America; he invited me to be a lecturer on the cruise. The position was unpaid, but the offer included a free cruise for me and my husband in a luxury cabin, the plane trip to and from Miami in business class, and all of our expenses on board would be taken care of. [Natasha Josefowitz]

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International, Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Travel and Food, USA