Staff and Bylined Contributors

From Bachfest to Bookfest

I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the first annual Bookfest, held in the nearby village of Gouzon and organized by two enterprising young women, Judi Alexander Castille and Vicky Eveleigh. The event enabled authors to display and sell their books, and also to give a reading to the assembled audience. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Judaism in Colonial America Pictured in Story Book about Sukkot

In this story, Papa who has been traveling on business in Europe sends a letter to his wife and children, Aaron and Leah, that he has purchased in Corsica a beautiful etrog (citron), and that he hopes to be home in time for the High Holy Days.  However, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur go by and he still hasn’t arrived.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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

Schumer’s Challenge to Courts Should Inspire Mothers in Child Custody Cases

Specifically, children are dying because the courts are proving, in case after case, that they are giving custody of young children to men who are active drug-users, and alcoholics, while also being violent and sexually and physically abusive to their young children. [Amy Neustein and Michelle Etlin]

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Amy Neustein, California, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

‘Derecho’ Dramatizes Conflict Between Assimilation and Loyalty to Immigrant Culture

Playwright Noelle Viñas tells of the struggle of first-generation American Eugenia (Ashley Alvarez) to balance her desire for upward mobility and achieving the American dream against her responsibility to her people and heritage, especially as she prepares to run for local office.  [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Josh Shapiro

He ‍is ‍a ‍strong ‍supporter ‍of ‍Israel ‍but ‍very ‍critical ‍of ‍the ‍leadership ‍of ‍Prime ‍Minister ‍Benjamin ‍Netanyahu. ‍What ‍is ‍one ‍example ‍of ‍social ‍justice ‍and ‍political ‍leadership ‍that ‍Shapiro ‍showed ‍when ‍he ‍was ‍still ‍young?  [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Fiction: The Education of Boris Mikhailovich Borisov

Boris Mikhailovich Borisov loved the Soviet power. It lifted him up from the bottom of society and equalized him with its many multinational subjects in rights and lack thereof. Boris Mikhailovich could not pray, but he often and almost prayerfully thanked the dear power for the good life. To succeed, he joined the Communist party, received a law degree, and began seeing a speech therapist to correct his embarrassing Yiddish pronunciation. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish Fiction, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Former San Diegan Fashioned Simone Biles’ Goat Necklace

She founded and operates her own business, Janet Heller Fine Jewelry, specializing in custom pieces. She doesn’t consider herself and artisan but rather a person with the ability to transform vision into story through jewelry, with meticulous skill and precision. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Some Advice for Parents with Children Returning to School

As a kid and even in college, I looked forward to this day, to learn new things, see friends I hadn’t seen since last term and “get back to work.” On the other hand, my kids are not happy about summer ending but I think once they start and see their friends and make new ones, it will be a fun time for them. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Holmes and Watson Reimagined as Modern Women

What if Sherlock Holmes lived in modern times and were a woman?  And what if Watson were also a woman and the two met accidentally when Watson answered an ad for a flatmate?  That seems to be the inspiration for Kate Hamill’s reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes story in Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B now playing at the Old Globe.  [Sandi Masori]

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San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Woeful News from Israel; Mixed News from Olympics and at Home

This week, I found my attention torn in so many directions. We marked the unthinkable 300th day of war in Israel since October 7 and the heartbreaking 300th day of captivity for the remaining hostages. The terrible attack in Majdal Shams, the increasingly tense situation in the North of Israel, and our own divisive election cycle competed for views with the pageantry, patriotism, and moments of incredible athleticism of the Olympics. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, International, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Tifereth Israel Chooses Hanan Leberman as Its Next Rabbi

Tifereth Israel Synagogue announced Thursday that Rabbi Hanan Leberman will be its new rabbi. The Lebermans will pack up their home in Israel and plan to arrive in San Diego in September, just in time to lead the High Holy Day Services. The announcement indicated that Leberman will bring innovative ideas and ruach (spirit) to the Conservative congregation while incorporating the best of the synagogue’s traditions. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA