Lifestyles

Learning About America Through License Plates

In the place of stamp collecting, as an adult, I have taken up the hobby of collecting pictures of license plates from throughout the United States and even from other countries.  For Chanukah, I can send them as email attachments to friends who similarly enjoy the hobby, and vice versa.  There are many ways to collect license plate pictures; by state, of course; or by special topics, like breast cancer awareness; honoring veterans and first responders; calls for environmental awareness; and the list goes on. [Donald H. Harrison]

Learning About America Through License Plates Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Travel and Food, USA

The Gift of a Poem for Chanukah

In the early ‘90’s we moved into an old-new home in Efrat, up the street from where we had rented since 1985. The size of the house was unpretentious, and our renovations were modest, but it put a strain on our finances. Among my splurges were wall-to-wall carpeting in the children’s bedrooms (rare in Israel) and – my dream since childhood — a beautiful bay window. Chanukah was drawing near. Both general and religious elementary and high school education in Israel are, theoretically, free, but most schools ask parents to pay additional fees to upgrade what the school can offer, such as smaller classes, additional courses (in addition to the usual books, supplies, bought by parents), and so on, and we were big believers in after-school art, drama, dance and sports classes, so with six kids, and a few already in (non-free) high schools, money was tight, and that was with my husband teaching the equivalent of a job and a half, and me teaching part time, writing a bit, and working at various creative – but not very lucrative — projects. In short, we could not come up with a plan for Chanukah gifts, without plunging us into high-interest overdraft. And then it came to me. A poem. [Toby Klein Greenwald]

The Gift of a Poem for Chanukah Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Toby Klein Greenwald

Recyling Chanukah Cards

My wife and I may have set a new Contra Costa County U.S. mail record. We sent 55 Hanukkah cards with real postage stamps to friends, relatives, and acquaintances. It was more fun than instant email cards. But it gets rarer than that, which is why it may make the record unbreakable for a while. All the cards were recycled from previous years. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]

Recyling Chanukah Cards Read More »

Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak

Independent Scholars Offer 31 Essays on the Covid Pandemic

In September Dorothy L. Parker, President of San Diego Independent Scholars and project editor, reached out and invited likeminded independent scholar organizations to participate in a writing and art project about Covid-19 experiences. The result is a collection of 31 essays about  pandemic experiences, thoughts, impressions and history. The writers represented a range of backgrounds, academic disciplines, and perspectives. They were seasoned and experienced, most over 65. [Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D]

Independent Scholars Offer 31 Essays on the Covid Pandemic Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak

Pharmacist Explains How Drugs Can Mitigate Mental Illness

Dishman covers ADHD, depression, personality disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, anxiety, PTSD and insomnia. He goes into detail in each of these, including the variety of medications available for anyone suffering with one of these mental illnesses, or as he calls them, “Diversity of Personality.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

Pharmacist Explains How Drugs Can Mitigate Mental Illness Read More »

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

Debating Life’s True Meaning

What are we created for? What is our destination? What is the destination of this endlessly-large and incomprehensible universe? These are centuries-old questions which come to the mind of every thinking human being. The Torah tells us: “To glorify Gd!” But other purposes for which everything was created, and the final destination of humanity and the universe in general, are known only to Gd. We humans can only come up with some guesses and assumptions based on our experience and observations. [Arkady Mamaysky]

Debating Life’s True Meaning Read More »

Arkady Mamaysky, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles

Include Women with Disabilities in Leadership Programs

As more Jewish programs provide women with increasing leadership and mentorship opportunities, it is important that all Jewish women are given an opportunity to succeed, including disabled women. In 2018, I acquired a disability due to a fall and was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, which affects my sympathetic nervous system in my right arm and leg, causing chronic pain. Twenty-five percent of Jewish adult women in the United States have a disability. Yet, often it is incorrectly assumed that women with disabilities cannot be in leadership roles. [Lauren Appelbaum]

Include Women with Disabilities in Leadership Programs Read More »

Lifestyles, USA

Free Exercise of Religion vs. Promoting the General Welfare

It all comes down to “promote the general welfare” vs. “the free exercise…of religion.”

On Nov. 8,  Satmar Grand Rabbi Aaron Teitelbaum more than freely exercised his religious traditions by hosting a family wedding in Brooklyn reportedly attended by 7,000 guests at a time when coronavirus cases persisted at high levels of infection. On Nov. 23. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio promoted the general welfare by socking the organizers with a laughable $15,000 fine. On Nov. 26,  our dysfunctional Supreme Court stamped a final judgment on a synagogue attendance case – rooted in Brooklyn – prioritizing “the free exercise…of religion” over “the general welfare.” [Bruce S. Ticcker]

Free Exercise of Religion vs. Promoting the General Welfare Read More »

Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

Mimi’s Ark: Icelandic Horses in Encinitas

Did you know there are horses in San Diego County with roots that can be traced back directly back to the Vikings?  They are Icelandic horses and their ancestors were perfect for crossing the oceans on Viking boats as the horses were short–about 12-14 hands-, calm, and sure-footed.  Icelandic horses today are not very different from their predecessors and Iceland has been careful to keep it that way. [Mimi Pollack]

Mimi’s Ark: Icelandic Horses in Encinitas Read More »

International, Lifestyles, Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, The World We Share, USA

Good News from Israel (November 29, 2020)

The November 29, 2020 edition of Good News from Israel includes such stories as the following.

• An Israeli-developed eye scanner can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s.
• Israel is the top country in the world for women entrepreneurs.
• Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2020 include 5 Israeli innovations.
• An Israeli supermarket chain is to grow fruit and vegetables at its stores.
• The 3-day Israel-Dubai business conference was a huge success.
• An Israeli judoka won Gold in the European championships.
• A 9-year-old boy found a 1st Temple period gold bead in Jerusalem. [Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (November 29, 2020) Read More »

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

The Rowdy Story Behind the Staid Bank Columns

I stopped by Ray the Swede’s workshop. The place was padlocked. A very official- looking notice from the State of California declared he owed back taxes, and the state had seized his business. Ray was a very talented stone maker, and had recently completed years of work on the facades of the new University of San Diego buildings. Because of the style and cost, these masterpieces of Old World detailing were rarely used to adorn buildings in the United States [Ira Spector]

The Rowdy Story Behind the Staid Bank Columns Read More »

Business & Finance, Lifestyles, San Diego County

The Saga of the Sammy Sculpture

I’ve never known a bad guy named Sam. I said that in the early 1960s, and many years later it is still true. Sam’s are warmhearted with a faint, off-beat nature. They are comfortable with their lives, competent in their work, devoted husbands that don’t cheat on their spouses; they usually work for large organizations and don’t complain.
My observation of these people inspired me to design and build a nine-foot tall stucco sculpture for Helen and Mike and named “The Essence of Sammy.” [Ira Spector]

The Saga of the Sammy Sculpture Read More »

Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Medical professionals lament holiday travel

My wife and I are in the medical field. My wife works on the front lines at a large medical center and watches the suffering that COVID inflicts.  Not just to the patients and their families but to the front line workers risking their lives to help others.  In the evening we watch the news showing these dedicated doctors, nurses and support staff, exhausted both physically and mentally, literally begging us to stay home this Thanksgiving.  The Surgeon General, the President-elect and many of our states’ governors also warn us not to make matters worse. They are ignored by a huge percentage of the population. [Ben Dishman, PharmD]

Medical professionals lament holiday travel Read More »

Ben Dishman, Judaism, Lifestyles, USA