Staff and Bylined Contributors

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

Parsha Acharei Mos: Okay to Cry, but Then Vow to Live a Torah-Life

While guilt can serve as a moral motivator, it should not consume us. We must make efforts to correct mistakes, have a plan to avoid repeating them, and then let go of perseverating on the past through forgiveness. Using this Hashem-given capacity for forgiveness allows us to heal and grow spiritually and psychologically. {Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Biography: Ilya Ehrenburg, One Handshake Away

In 1940, Ehrenburg came to the USSR from occupied Paris. He returned to the country, where the repression of 1937 proved to him the cruelty of the authorities. The writer received frightening news from Izvestia in 1939: although he continued to be on the newspaper’s staff, his reports and articles would not be published. The USSR was changing its attitude toward Jews because of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Treaty. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

LFJCC to Present Poems of Yiddish and Hebrew Poets on May 7

Jewish Poets of the Past will feature Yiddish Poet Abraham Sutzkever and Israeli Poet Dahlia Ravikovitch, both recipients of the Israel Prize, that country’s most prestigious award.  The program will be held in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family JCC at 7 p.m.,  Tuesday May 7. [Eileen Wingard]

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

‘The Dybbuk’ Meets Schizophrenia in ‘The Book of Izzy’

Playing Khanan and also stepping into the role of director, Izzy falls in love with Sue-Ann, who portrays Leah.  At times brilliant and at times in la-la land, Izzy leads readers on a  adventure through S. An-sky’s well-known, memorable play, and through his own disordered mind. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

The Matzo Chronicles: My Whirlwind European Tour, Tulips and Turmoil

Where are the proudly proclaimed markers of historical Jewish life and contributions in the great European cities? Why are they — we — too often erased or at least, largely invisible from the tours and guidebooks? 
Second, for all the glory and achievement, how is it that humankind still hasn’t learned to respect religious, ethnic, and cultural differences, or at least tolerate them? [Karen Galatz]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

A Word from Your Federation: How Your Support Impacts Local Security Efforts & Relief in Sha’ar HaNegev

In these challenging times, it is imperative that we stand together, ensuring the safety of our Jewish institutions and supporting Jews in need – both locally and across the globe. Today, I bring you updates on two major initiatives that have been fueled by San Diego’s generosity and philanthropic spirit: enhancing community security and supporting relief efforts in our Israeli sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev. [Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Lion’s Trail in Golan Recalls 749 Earthquake-Destroyed Synagogue

The Golan Heights had been a significant area of Jewish life. After the earthquake of 749, Jews could not and were not permitted to return to live in the Golan by the occupying Muslim powers and later the Ottoman Turks. Jews could not return to live in the Golan until after the Israeli victory over the Syrians in the 1967 war. [Jerry Klinger]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

‘Sense of Decency’ Doesn’t Deliver on Playwright’s Intentions

By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to interview screenplay writer and codirector, Jake Broder, about his world premiere show, Sense of Decency, at the North Coast Rep. After our chat I was very eager to see the show on stage and discover for myself how the

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Eva Trieger, Holocaust, International, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, 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