Staff and Bylined Contributors

Parsha Shemini–Hachodesh: The Silence of Aaron

We read, “And Aaron was silent.” SILENT? Aaron, the boys’ father was SILENT? How could a parent be silent upon losing two sons? How can we be silent in the face of the frightening eruption of antisemitism in our lives? This narrative has troubled many erudite scholars, thinkers, and elders over centuries. We are currently ensnared in a time that has killed many, upended lives, and endangered our daily paths. Are we to be silent? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Sydney Newman

The Avengers debuted in 1961, becoming an international success.  In 1962, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) stole him away from ABC.  He created a new anthology series, The Wednesday Play, and in 1963, he initiated the very successful science fiction series Doctor Who, about a space and time traveler who takes on human identities to benefit humanity.  Near the end of his five-year BBC contract, he green-lighted Donald Wilson’s The Forsyte Saga, which was one of the most acclaimed series of his era. [SDJW stafff]

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International, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Stories about the Music Enhance Music Academy Concerts

In recent years Dr. Ron Regev, the head of the Academy’s piano department, has taken over at the head of the concerts, injecting his own personal touch of brilliance to the program. Apart from being a virtuoso pianist, Professor Regev is also an engaging and inspiring speaker, and to hear him talk about the music he and his colleagues are about to play is always enjoyable and uplifting. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rhea Perlman

In the television show Taxi, she played the role of Zena Sherman, the sweet girlfriend of DeVito’s character Louie De Palma. In 1982, the same year she and DeVito married, she won the role of the wisecracking barmaid Carla Tortelli on Cheers, which in a run that ended in 1993 won 20 Emmy awards out of 95 nominations. Perlman won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy four times out of 10 nominations. [SDJW staff]

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

Brian Grana Tells of His Great Loves: His Late Wife, His Children, and the United States Marine Corps

One of the units with the I-MEF is the Marine Logistics Group (MLG), which then-Major Brian T. Grana was a member of from 2006 to 2009. Later in his career, as a lieutenant colonel, Grana commanded a Squadron at MCAS Miramar. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Middle East, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Debbie Friedman’s Songs to be Celebrated at LFJCC Program

Debbie attended a Jewish summer camp where, at sixteen, on a borrowed instrument, she learned to play the guitar.  Several years later, she began to compose her own songs. She was influenced by the music of folk song luminaries such as Judy Collins, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Joan Baez. [Eileen Wingard

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Alex Bregman

In 2021, the Baseball Writers Association of America honored him with the Darryl Kile Good Guy Award.  In the 2022 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Bregman’s home run set a record at six for most career homeruns by a third baseman. It was the 22nd World Series game he had appeared in.  Bregman’s first child, a son Knox, was born August 1st of that year. [SDJW staff]

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Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Hate Litterers May Face $25,000 Penalty

SAN DIEGO  (SDJW)– San Diego City Councilman Raul Campillo said Friday that after research with the office of City Attorney Mara Elliott, he decided that a hate littering law would be more appropriate at the state level than at the municipal level.  Assemblyman Chris Ward (D-San Diego) agreed to carry the legislation (AB 3024), which

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Antisemitism, California, Chris Jennewein, Israel, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA