I had mixed feelings about this book, intended for children aged 4 through 8. While its main thrust is to explain the history and customs of Hanukkah, it also draws Jewish children into the myth of Santa Claus. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Boy Lectures Santa on Hanukkah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Kigel’s longest chapter contains her Dating Don’ts. She discusses breaking up a relationship with a so-so man, experiencing opposite traits in a person, confusing bad habits with bad character, being attracted to a “bad boy,” dating guys who are not interested in marriage, having unrealistic expectations, what feelings should be taken seriously, being the pursuer as a woman, being friends with other men, and dating more than one man at a time. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Excellent dating advice, Marry a Mensch Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
My concern was mostly for him, a 20-year-old, religiously observant, first-time visitor to the U.S. How would he feel staying with Jews? We were fine. We were adults, who had willingly opened our home, but how about him? Would he, who had merely been assigned a random housing slot, feel blind-sighted, uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or G-d forbid, hostile? [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: Hosting a Muslim Student from Jordan Read More »
Israel, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Family looks very different, doesn’t it? Whether I look around in Israel or here in the U.S., I see how family dynamics have evolved. And what fascinates me most is how adaptable we are as humans to these changes. The definition of family has expanded far beyond what we grew up with. [Shahar Masori]
An Israeli-American Perspective: The Changing Structures of Families Read More »
Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
It was all so horrific, and I think back to the weeks following October 7th. I remember that fear within me each time I turned on my phone right after Shabbat (and often during the week as well). What new information will the news bring? Has Israel entered Gaza yet? Have they found any of the hostages? And our precious chayalim (soldiers). Please tell me they are all safe, that there were no casualties over Shabbat. [Ilanit Zakowski]
Reading the News with Trepidation and Resolve Read More »
Ilanit Zakowski, Israel, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Whereas in its heyday, the College Avenue Senior Center drew between 80 and 120 people for a full day of programming, including lectures, exercise, movies, and an inexpensive kosher lunch, since its resumption after the COVID pandemic, the center’s attendance has averaged only 15 people, and even fewer for the lunch program, according to JFS Chief Operating Officer Dana Toppel. [Donald H. Harrison]
JFS to Shut Down College Avenue Senior Center Sept. 27 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
A week after October 7th, my family and I went to the wedding of the daughter of some of our closest friends, whom we have known for a quarter of a century. I was exhausted and distracted and not sure I felt ready for such a joyful simcha. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Finding Moments of Joy to Pierce the Sadness Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAAfter living my whole life in Israel, where I thought of myself as just a person—an Israeli among Israelis, but just a human like everyone else—I was suddenly confronted with a question on the U.S. immigration form that stopped me in my tracks: Race. [Shahar Masori]
An Israeli-American Perspective: A Question of Race Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera (District-9) shares the locations of cool zones in the area and reminds citizens to take care of themselves, keep hydrated, stay out of the sun and check on your relatives and neighbors. Cool zones are a great place to escape the heat, get work done with accessing free WiFi and giving your house a rest from running the air conditioning. [Cailin Acosta]
Some Heat Wave Advice from Council President Sean Elo-Rivera Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
The Tacos and Tequila Festival at the Handlery Hotel San Diego on Sunday, Sept. 22, is an event that holds a special place in my heart. Not only is my husband, Albert, the general manager of the hotel, but this celebration also reflects a beautiful blend of cultures that resonates deeply with me—particularly the Mexican-Jewish community and my own connection to Hispanic culture. [Miriam Gershenson]
Viktor Frankl, a cheerful and loving doctor, found joy in life’s simple pleasures despite experiencing unimaginable suffering in concentration camps. At 19, the author, Frankl’s grandson, Alexander Vesely-Frank, discovered the extent of his grandfather’s suffering through Man’s Search for Meaning.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Embracing Hope’ Brings Back Viktor Frankl’s Life-Affirming Philosophy Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I don’t know why at first I didn’t notice the similarity between Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of the murdered hostage Hersh Polin, and the matriarch Rachel. [Rabbi Philip Graubart]
The Tears of Two Rachels Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
My book-writing journey was not fast, linear, or easy. Its three-year evolution was punctuated with the losses of my father and a brother (two of my favorite people in the world), both of my daughters launching, and many other changes and challenges. [Shayna Kaufmann]
I’m Coming Out … With a Book! Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In Eastern Europe before alarm clocks were generally available, a Jewish person known as a “klopper” was appointed to knock on doors early in the morning to help assure people would get to morning prayers on time. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Klop, Klop! Wake Up; It’s Time for Morning Prayers’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors