Staff and Bylined Contributors

Kvells Keep Ringing For Steven Skybell’s Tevye in All-Yiddish ‘Fiddler’

When he first got the part in the Yiddish “Fiddler,” Skybell had studied Yiddish but he “certainly wasn’t fluent.” And at the start, only three of the 26 members of the cast spoke Yiddish. So getting ready for the show was a mammoth task, with most of the actors learning the language phonetically from tapes. [Joel H. Cohen]

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International, Joel H. Cohen, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Shakespeare with Some Contemporary Twists at Coronado Playhouse

A few things were different about this production, first the non-fairy actors wore modern dress, the part of Hermia’s father was turned into that of her mother, and the show we saw had swing actor Ruth Russel filling in for the role of Demitrius. [Sandi Masori]

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

JNF-USA Volunteers Help to Rebuild Southern Israel

I see our more than 2,000 volunteers from the U.S. going to Israel, clamoring to get dirty – filthy even – to help build back the southern communities and lend a hand any way they can. People in Israel who were divided over policies before the war are now sitting around the same table, figuring out how to build back their country — together. [Russell F. Robinson, JNF-USA]

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Israel, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Larry Kornit: Cantor in Shul, Social Justice Advocate Outside

Four areas of interest have shaped the life of Cantor Larry Kornit of Congregation Beth Tikvah: Religion, music, politics, and sports. In addition to serving as a spiritual leader of what he described as his Conservative/ Reform/ Eclectic congregation, he also has volunteered as a member of the City of Oceanside’s nine-member Housing Commission.  The commission meets in the City Council chambers the fourth Tuesday of each month. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

OpEd: What Do Cults and Terrorists Have in Common?

Legitimate religions encourage honesty, transparency, and critical thinking.
Conversely, cults, and their leaders, condone the use of deception for recruitment and fundraising purposes. They also use manipulation and fear tactics to maintain control of their members. The negative characteristics of deception and manipulation distinguish a cult from a legitimate religion. [Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz]

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Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Jerry Lewis

In 1945, 19-year-old Lewis met Dean Martin, who was eight years his senior, and the two developed a comedy act,  in which Martin was a straight man and Lewis was a zany ad libber.  The duo started with a radio show, moved to television, then to Paramount Pictures where they starred together in 14 movies between 1960 and 1956.  DC Comics published The Adventures of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis from 1952 to 1957.  The team ended the partnership in 1956. [SDJW staff]

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

Adopt-A-Family Foundation Aiding Traumatized Israeli Victims of Oct. 7

Since October 7th, Adopt a Family Foundation has been in close contact with our adopted families all over Israel. Most of the families from the South are still displaced. They too – for more than 150 days – have been praying for the return of the hostages and are still mourning the loss of so many of their friends in their Kibbutzim. So many Israelis from the North are also displaced from their homes and live in such uncertainty of what is next. [Carine Chitayat]

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

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Purim Preparations

Purim 2024 begins at nightfall Saturday, March 23, and ends after sunset Sunday, March 24.  A list of Purim activities may be found in our San Diego County Jewish Calendar.  Anticipation of Purim is keeping the rabbis and rebbetzins of the many Chabad Houses in San Diego quite busy. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

‘King James’ Uses Sports Metaphor to Explore the Ups and Downs of a Friendship

The dialogue is fast-paced and funny, both because of  Rajiv Joseph’s writing and the animated faces of Foote and Echebiri.  San Diegans can especially appreciate how upset and betrayed Matt and Shawn feel when James moves to the Miami Heat and leaves his hometown.  I saw many in the audience nodding emphatically as Matt and Shawn lament the perceived betrayal, as memories of our own Chargers’ betrayal with their move to LA still feels fresh.  [Sandi Masori]

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Sandi Masori, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

‘Tartuffe’ Pokes Fun at Our Frail and Base Tendencies

The satiric comedy was originally written and performed in French, but fortunately for English-speaking audiences, it was translated by Richard Wilbur, and later, by others. The play is written and performed in rhyme. The actors are nothing short of incredible in their ability to speak the lines with meaning, each delivered naturally and logically.  [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast