Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Aladdin’ is Delightful Festival of Color and Energy 

In a diversion from the film version, rather than have a monkey for a side-kick, instead Aladdin has three best friends named Kassim (Colt Prattes), Omar (Nathan Levy, who is Jewish and Asian), and Babkak (Jake Letts).  The four of them have a few fun song and dance numbers.  [Sandi Masori]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

His teachings included the idea that every Hasid must search for a saintly exemplar, or tzaddik, for himself. He rejected the idea that such saintliness can be inherited. A tzaddik must elevate the community through his observance of the commandments and performance of good deeds. People might confide in a tzaddik as part of a process of unburdening their souls, but they should pray only to God. [SDJW staff]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday

Elementary Jewish Yoga in Colorful Primer

Author Blanca Sissa, a certified yoga instructor for children, says sometimes the thoughts in their heads resemble little monkeys jumping from tree to tree, never stopping anywhere in particular.  Mindfulness, otherwise known as focusing thoughts on the here and now, is a remedy.  In Hebrew mindfulness is called Yishuv Hada’at. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

CIA warns of risk of war between Iran and Israel – Vox News

Published by RBC-Ukraine (UK) The destruction of the Iranian consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of senior Iranian officials and generals, risks escalating into a major war in the region. American intelligence CIA warned that within 48 hours Iran could launch a military operation against Israel, reports Vox News. “Earlier, senior

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International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mishaps, Snafus and Yet the Trip to Costa Rica was Memorable and Enjoyable

When we arrived at our rustic treehouse-like Airbnb, close to sunset, it started pouring rain. We had only been there long enough to see a scorpion in an outside bathroom (really!) and the family of bats “hanging” on the outside porch. Within minutes, it began to loudly thunder and lightning, and the power went out. (And stayed out for the next six hours). The storm was so loud that we couldn’t even hear each other speak. So, we sat in the dark, held hands, and watched and listened to nature’s powerful sound and light show. It was awesome! [Shayna Kaufmann]

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International, Lifestyles, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Four Jewish San Diegans Reflect on Their Mission to Israel

This week, a small group of local community members – including Federation Board members, organizational partners and major donors – are in Israel as part of Jewish Federation of San Diego’s second Solidarity Mission to Israel.  Here are the reflections of Carole Yellen, Zvi Weiss, Rabbi Ron Schulman, and David Bark.  [Press Release, Jewish Federation of San Diego]

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Israel, News Media, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Goering is Psychoanalyzed in ‘Sense of Decency’ Coming to North Coast Rep

Sense of Decency follows the conversations between these men for the express purpose of understanding how evil of such magnitude is created. This world premier, written by award-winning playwright and actor, Jake Broder, is based on the book The Nazi and the Psychiatrist written by Jack El-Hai. [Eva Trieger]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, Holocaust, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Israel Must Allow More Food into Gaza

Feeding people who are starving, as Gazans are every day, is a profound act of goodness. You and I know this. We know that Israel should not be stopping, or even slowing, aid at Gaza’s doors. And right now, Israeli policies are contributing to rampant hunger—and the imminent risk of famine. And we know that people working to get food to the hungry should be protected, not endangered. All of it breaks my heart.  [Daniel Sokatch]

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Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Jews Must Set the Record Straight about the War in Gaza

If Hamas and other extremist Arabs are fighting for self-determination in the territories, why did they slaughter 1,200 Jews in such a savage manner? In sovereign Israel, mind you, not Gaza or the West Bank. Why did the Palestinian leadership reject Israel’s offer of a Palestinian state 24 years ago? Why does Hamas refuse a cease-fire while civilians continue to starve and face Israel’s military attacks? [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Parsha Shemini: The Value of Silence

God was teaching Moshe that there are things that one can understand only if one sees the entire picture. This can only be done when one is silent because when one speaks, one concentrates only on what he’s saying, ignoring the surroundings. Shtikah allows one to evaluate his surroundings and to see the entire picture. [Rabbi Daniel Reich]

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Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Leslie Howard

In 1939, he starred with Ingrid Bergman in Intermezzo and, in perhaps his best-known role, he performed as Ashley Wilkes in Gone with the Wind in a cast that included Clark Gable, Oliva de Havilland, and Vivian Leigh.  He returned to England to help with the war effort thereafter, making such World War II films as 49th Parallel, Pimpernel , and The First of the Few.  [SDJW staff]

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

Deconstructing the Myths of King Solomon

Solomon is credited for discovering the true mother of a baby simply because one of the two disputing prostitutes agreed to give up the child when Solomon foolishly said he would slice the child in two and give each a half. Rational thinkers and legal experts recognize this was Solomon’s unintelligent decision. Her act proves nothing. She may not have been the mother,
but she agreed to give up the child to the true mother simply because she did not want to carry her farce to the end, where the child was murdered. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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