Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Careful Beauties Ahead!’: Laughing at the Pious

Tenenbom also mocks practices that rational thinkers would consider strange. For example, pious men feel that it is wrong to look at a woman lest they be driven to lust, but women can look at men because they are not so distracted. Also, married women cover their hair so that men do not become attracted to them. However, many buy wigs that make them more beautiful than they ever were before they wore them. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An Israeli-American Perspective: Shabbats in Both My Countries

In Israel, Shabbat is more than just a religious observance; it is a national rhythm that influences the entire country. The word “Shabbat” itself stems from the Hebrew root “shin-bet-tav,” which means to cease or to rest. For Israelis, Shabbat is a time to “sit” and relax, to pause the hectic pace of life and find peace. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

OpEd: Zelensky Keeps a Distance from His Jewishness and from Israel

The silencing of his Jewishness has characterized his entire tenure as president. Mentioning his Jewishness became taboo. Benjamin Disraeli, a baptized Jew, was Prime Minister of Great Britain and openly discussed Jewish issues and wrote novels with Jewish characters. Léon Blum was Prime Minister of France and spoke freely about his Jewishness. Bruno Kraisky was Chancellor of Austria and made no secret of his Jewishness. Walter Rathenau was Foreign Minister of Germany and spoke proudly of his Jewish ancestry. None of them were ashamed of their Jewishness as Zelensky was. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Shavuot Wishes and Some Fascinating Upcoming Events

Youth Summer Music Camp (6th-12th grade) with Sharon Katz will be at 1 p.m., Monday, June 17 until Saturday, June 22 (no camp on Wednesday, June 19) at the San Diego Central Public Library. Katz is the founder of The Peace Train Project and Band and will direct this summer camp at the library. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Lesbian Breaks Free from Gur Hasidim

So, of course she tried to suppress the fact that she was physically stimulated by the touch of women and conversely deadened by the touch of men.  She took no joy in marital sex; it was a duty imposed upon her by the expectation of the Gur community.  The only benefit of having sex with her first husband was her two children, for whom her love knew no bounds. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

OpEd: ‘Screams Before Silence’ an Intense Documentary

Many individuals did not want to watch alone the film about the horrific attacks on Jewish women during the Oct 7 massacre. Limiting the number of reservations to women-only, having mental health clinicians facilitate and not listing the location facilitated this event. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jewish Federation Invests in ‘Transformational Experiences’

At Jewish Federation of San Diego, we are deeply committed to investing in transformational experiences that ensure a brighter, stronger, and more connected Jewish community for generations to come. Our initiatives focus on inspiring a life-long love of Judaism, fostering a robust pipeline of future leaders, and deepening community bonds. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Heidi Gantwerk, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Music Review: The Queen is Afire!

Last week, I was both shouting and dancing to the most marvelous violin music. There is a saying that the greatest compliment a Jewish violinist can receive is to say “Your violin really spoke to me.” We must say that to violin maven Alicia Svigals, who is releasing a new CD after more than 20 years. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A Jewish Immigrant Mother’s Tale

The trauma remained with her, influencing the rest of her life.  Working as a translator of Polish, Yiddish, and Russian at the Bund offices, she was exposed to frequent reports of antisemitic incidents in Poland, heightening her sense of danger.  She took comfort in the strength of her boss at the Bund, Leopold.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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