Rabbi Yael Ridberg, spiritual leader of Congregation Dor Hadash, the lone Reconstructionist congregation in San Diego County, has announced she will retire from the pulpit at the end of June 2025. [Cailin Acosta]
Rabbi Ridberg to Retire from Dor Hadash Pulpit Next June Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Seymour remembers the menorah but doesn’t remember the candles. He only knows that what he was supposed to bring started with the letter “C.” So, he stuffs his backpack with a cantaloupe. … carrots … cookies … cashews… cauliflower… and candy in the form of Hanukkah gelt. [Donald H. Harrison]
Squirrel and Chipmunk Decide to Celebrate Hanukkah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Prejudice is defined as a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or experience. It is favoring or disliking something without good reason. It is irrational. It destroys people, both the person feeling and doing it and the person or group affected by it. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Prejudice Is More than We Think It Is Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
As former U.S. President Jimmy Carter celebrates his 100th birthday today, we have the opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life and enduring legacy of a man who has particularly impacted Israel and the Jewish community. [Barrett Holman Leak]
OpEd: Jimmy Carter at 100: A Legacy of Service and Peace Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Sivani’s House, an immersive exhibit installed at The Hive at Leichtag Commons, does not focus on the politics of that day. Instead, it offers an intimate look at the story of one family’s grief—a story that transcends tragedy and speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. [Miriam Gershenson and Albert Kreimerman]
Sivani’s House is an Emotional Exhibit of Remembrance for Oct. 7 Victims Read More »
Albert Kreimerman, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
There is a tradition in some Jewish communities wherein nuts are not eaten on Rosh Hashanah. What is the reason for this prohibition? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Rosh Hashanah Food Prohibition Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In 1916, Máté Zalka was taken prisoner in Russia. Passion for political radicalism, inherent in some part of the Jewish intelligentsia in Hungary in those years, determined Zalka’s path. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Máté Zalka, Commander in Two Civil Wars Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In a telephone interview I caught up with Tonya Mantooth, CEO/Artistic Director of this nonprofit festival. This curious empath has a passion for films that encourage social consciousness and provocative issues that impact all people. To this end, the committee received 3200 film entries from 83 countries. Mark your calendars now for October 16-20th. [Eva Trieger]
A Preview of the San Diego International Film Festival Read More »
Eva Trieger, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
The first performance at the Gaslamp Quarter trolley station showcased a group choreography where dancers interacted while preserving individuality through solos. Clad in leisure wear, they made dance accessible to all, even inspiring a child in the audience to join in the fun. The dancers creatively utilized the station’s three pillars, adding an engaging visual dynamic that drew the attention of passing commuters. [Nevo mathis-Masury]
Trolley Dances Unite San Diego Through Movement Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Nevó Bowne Mathis-Masury, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Letting go is something we must learn to do in all aspects of our lives. Do you think that every time you get stuck in an unexpected traffic jam, or your flight is delayed for three hours causing you to miss your connection, or you get sick on a day when you simply can’t afford to miss work, do you really think you’re in control? [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
Let Go and Let God Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Lionel’s Legacy was founded in 2012 by Laura Oliver, and her family. Lionel was a 15-year-old pit bull that the Olivers adopted. He inspired them to start an organization that specializes in fostering and finding good homes for senior pets. [Mimi Pollack]
Mimi’s Ark: Saving Senior Dogs Read More »
Mimi Pollack, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
The effect of a Selichot service can be quite moving. The mere gathering of people at a time when they are usually asleep is impressive. We sense the extraordinary nature of the prayer and turn introspectively within ourselves as the High Holy Days grow imminent. [Cailin Acosta]
Preparing for a Meaningful Selichot Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
A few weeks ago, I asked people to share with me the moments that have given them hope lately. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Hope Here in San Diego and in Sha’ar Hanegev, Israel Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The screen is full of scenes of cars, trucks and other vehicles stuck bumper to bumper and packed to the brim with families fleeing southern Lebanon to get away from the region being bombarded by Israel. As is the case in Gaza, the UN is concerned about the fate of the children. Funnily enough, the UN showed little concern for the fate of Israeli children … [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
International Media Ignores Suffering of Israelis in Current Warfare Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Staff and Bylined Contributors