Lifestyles

Embracing Midlife Friendships

To have close girlfriends at any point in our lives is a gift, but there is a quality to our more mature relationships that either did not or could not exist in our young adulthood. They tend to be real, easy, and honest, mirroring our maturation and growth. And, unlike in past decades, our topics of conversation are increasingly about us, and our midlife evolution, as opposed to our kids or careers. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A Word from Your Federation: A Month of Togetherness & Community Commemorations

This year’s events demonstrated the San Diego Jewish community’s resilience and unity. Despite geopolitical tensions, anti-Israel protests across our college campuses, and the rising tide of antisemitism, we showed up for each other, affirming our shared identity and commitment to our heritage. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Holocaust, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Love is All We Need’: An Idyllic Book for Children (and Their Adults)

Love is All We Need by Krina Patel-Sage; Northampton, Massachusetts: Crocodile Books © 2024; ISBN 9781623-716929; 26 pages; $18.95. SAN DIEGO – The two boys hugging in the middle of the adjacent cover image are a Muslim and a Jew – a timely reminder during the fierce Israel-Hamas War that friendships between people of different

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Need a Breast Cancer Screening? ‘You Are Not Alone’

Many of us women realize it is time to focus on our health and start to get screenings we did not think we would need. My dear friend, Andrea Schnieder will be sharing her breast cancer story at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 30, for Chabad of East County. All those in attendance will receive a signed copy of her book You Are Not Alone. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

The Matzo Chronicles: Give Me Liberty? Nah, Give Me Laundry!

A few days after he died, my mother — still in a daze — was in the garage doing the laundry. In the mix of just-dried garments were my father’s undershirts, shorts, and socks. I watched as she folded his tee shirts in the same neat manner she had done for so many decades. First, in thirds, then, in half, brushing away each wrinkle with care. The sight of her folding his clothes — for the last time — took my breath away. [Karen Galatz]

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Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Betty Weiser, Torah teacher at San Diego Hebrew Day School

The curriculum Betty created, and refined over the next 36 years, engendered special pride within her students, and provided them with an understanding of Jewish philosophy, the purpose of Mitzvah fulfillment, the value of family, and respect for the Divine plan in creating Man and Woman. [Weiser Family]

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Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Author Tells of Finding His Birth Parents and Learning Their Secrets

This memoir and autobiography is filled with secrets, doubts, anticipation, anxiety, temporary disappointments, regrets, the thrill of the chase and the exaltation of success. He repeatedly states the discoveries changed his life, and it also enriched the lives of the brothers and sisters he discovered. [Oliver Pollak]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Lifestyles, Oliver Pollak, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Getting Away from It All in Cyprus

Even when the news is reported in Greek (though the TV in our room also showed one of the Israeli channels as well as the BBC), it’s impossible to avoid scenes of devastation, clips of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities across the USA or recognize the names of Israel’s prime minister and other politicians. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

OpEd: Take the Time for Self-Care Amid the Antisemitic Hate

By Barrett Holman Leak SAN DIEGO — Jewish students at UCLA are physically blocked from attending classes by Palestinian activists. Jewish students at SDSU must be escorted to and from classes in the face of antisemitic chants and threats. Palestinian protesters on American campuses burn the American flag and hoist the Palestinian flag over U.S.

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Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Embracing Living & Grieving

We made a huddle with Angela, wrapped our arms around each other, and sang a melodic healing prayer. At one point, I glanced up at Angela, and saw her intently listening, with an angelic smile on her face. Though she knew (we did not) that her cancer had metastasized, there was not a hint of fear or sorrow on her face. She appeared to be fully taking in every second of her life. When the prayer was over, we stayed in our huddle and silently swayed. None of us wanted to let go. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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International, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

OpEd: Israel’s Biophilic Society is the Opposite of Gaza’s and Iran’s

In societies that value biophilia, empathy, compassion, and cooperation are emphasized. Social structures and laws are designed to foster a sense of well-being for all members of the community. But necrophilic civilizations are obsessed with death: These societies are characterized by a fascination with destruction, domination, and control. {Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Israel, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

A 12-Step Process for Making Candles at Home

Being frustrated with the quality and price of mosquito candles, Sandy decided to make one herself. Sandy successfully made a citronella candle that impressed her sister-in-law when she came for a visit. Naturally, Sandy’s sister-in-law requested that Sandy make her one. When her sister-in-law took the candle back home, her friends saw the candle and asked to put an order in with Sandy. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Lifestyles, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Biographer of Abe Cahan Illuminates a Bygone Era

The newspaper also taught new immigrants about American folkways—dishing out advice on such diverse topics as how baseball is played, how Americans set their tables, and to sneeze into handkerchiefs to avoid spreading germs in crowded tenements. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA