News Sources

Theresienstadt Opera Remembered in ‘Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis’

Together with Peter Kien, who wrote the libretto, Ullmann composed the music for an opera entitled ‘The Emperor of Atlantis,’ an allegory of the Nazi regime, in which Death goes on strike in protest at the widespread killing of human beings by a power-mad ruler. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Theresienstadt Opera Remembered in ‘Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis’ Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parasha Beshalach: Who Is the True Physician?

“And He said, If you hearken to the voice of the Lord, your G-d, and you do what is proper in His eyes, and you listen closely to His commandments and observe all His statutes, all the sicknesses that I have visited upon Egypt I will not visit upon you, for I, the Lord, heal you.” The above verse appears immediately after the Shira (Song at the Sea of Reeds). It teaches us in no uncertain terms that it is Hashem, and no other, who heals us. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Parasha Beshalach: Who Is the True Physician? Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jerusalem Library Receives 45,000 Jewish Manuscripts from Yemen

The items were endowed to the museum last Thursday by the family of the late Yehuda Levi Nahum (1915-1998), a Yemenite Jew who immigrated to pre-state Israel in 1929 at the age of 14. Over six decades, Nahum assembled the world’s most extensive collection of Yemenite-Jewish manuscripts. [JNS]

Jerusalem Library Receives 45,000 Jewish Manuscripts from Yemen Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, JNS, Middle East

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Groundbreaking Tuesday for Jacobs Performing Arts Center at Liberty Station

Mayor Todd Gloria will speak at groundbreaking ceremonies Tuesday, Jan. 23, for the future Joan and Irwin Jacobs Performing Arts Center that will be built at Liberty Station in a renovated Naval Building 178. [SDJW Staff Report]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Groundbreaking Tuesday for Jacobs Performing Arts Center at Liberty Station Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Samples Published Here of the Poetry of Adam Deutsch, Amelia Glaser, and Herb Brin That Were Recited During a Lawrence Family JCC Program

The poetry of Adam Deutsch, from his newly published book, Every Transmission, opened the January 16 program of Jewish Poets/Jewish Voices.  The youthful looking Grossmont College faculty member had arrived at the JCC using the trolley and his bike. His well-received selections were followed by translations from Yiddish and Ukrainian and original poems by Amelia Glaser, UCSD chair of Judaic Studies. The concluding portion of the first hour of featured poets was the poetry of Herb Brin. [Eileen Wingard]

Samples Published Here of the Poetry of Adam Deutsch, Amelia Glaser, and Herb Brin That Were Recited During a Lawrence Family JCC Program Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Intimate Apparel’ Contrasts Worlds of Dreams and Reality

The title of North Coast Rep Theatre’s newest production bespeaks not simply the item, but the deep connections formed in Intimate Apparel. Lynn Nottage’s 2-time Pulitzer Prize winning play reveals what director Jasmine Bracey describes as a life in two worlds. This play explores the “world of dreams and desire, and a world of reality and compromise.” The common thread weaving this seamstress’ story together is that of wanting to be loved. [Eva Trieger]

‘Intimate Apparel’ Contrasts Worlds of Dreams and Reality Read More »

Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Mindless Embrace of Houthi Terror

Extolling Iranian-armed and trained Houthi terrorists who were firing on American and other shipping, kidnapping crewmen from the ships, and firing missiles at southern Israel, and have now fired on American warships, the minions in the West wave signs proclaiming, “I stand with Yemen.” And “Hands off Yemen.” [Shoshana Bryen]

OpEd: Mindless Embrace of Houthi Terror Read More »

Israel, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Is Reincarnation a Fact, a Lie, or True?

Philo (25 BCE-50 CE) was the first Jewish philosopher to introduce the idea that there is such a thing as a soul that exists separate from the body. It contains the intellect and personality of a person. Platonic theories influenced him. He considered the soul to be eternal. However, he did not have the belief in reincarnation. The soul remained somewhere in limbo until the messianic age when it would be revived. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Is Reincarnation a Fact, a Lie, or True? Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

From ‘Too Many Notes’ to ‘Too Many Lives’

After World War II, the Geneva Convention defined genocide as acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. In the context of Israel and Gaza, accusations have been made against Israel by some international entities. For example, South Africa has attempted to make a case in the International Court against Israel, accusing it of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. However, it’s important to note that warfare, particularly urban warfare, inherently involves complexities and high risks of civilian casualties. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

From ‘Too Many Notes’ to ‘Too Many Lives’ Read More »

International, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Biography: Gabriel Riesser, Germany’s First Jewish Judge

HAIFA, Israel — In the middle of the nineteenth century a Jew was first appointed a judge in a European state. This happened in Germany, in Hamburg. The appointed judge did little judging, but managed to govern. He was more like a charismatic ruler than a cold-blooded judge. He was more like a bold fighter

Jewish Biography: Gabriel Riesser, Germany’s First Jewish Judge Read More »

Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Piper Laurie

At age 17, she signed a contract with Universal Studios, at that time changing her name to Piper Laurie. She starred with Ronald Reagan in 1950 in Louisa, and claimed to have had her first sexual relationship with the future President of the United States. She acted with Donald O’Connor, Tony Curtis and Rory Calhoun in subsequent films. [SDJW staff report]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Piper Laurie Read More »

Jewish Celebrities, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Homeless People Living in Their Cars to Have ‘Comfort Facility’ at Jewish Family Service Venue in Kearny Mesa

Once completed, the new Liebermensch Family Comfort Facility will be equipped with ADA-accessible showers, baby changing stations, and full-sized restrooms—providing guests a welcoming space to care for themselves and extra room to get ready for work and school. [SDJW staff]

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Homeless People Living in Their Cars to Have ‘Comfort Facility’ at Jewish Family Service Venue in Kearny Mesa Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast