Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican candidate Steve Garvey proved themselves the most pro-Israel candidates of the four who debated on NBC and Telemundo television stations Tuesday evening, Feb. 20. Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee was the most pro-Palestinian, and Democratic Rep. Katie Porter occupied middle ground. [Donald H. Harrison]
The dialogue is honest and self-reflective. Dan’s hopelessness has him questioning the value of life without another’s recognition or memory. For Betty, after a loveless marriage, the middle-aged woman wants to be loved and valued. Both characters know the love and companionship of their respective dog and cats, but each longs for a human’s affection to give them validation and meaning. [Eva Trieger]
‘Chapatti’ at Scripps Ranch Theatre Reaches into Lonely Human Hearts Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
“…Months of dropping tens of thousands of bombs, munitions, and shells on Gaza have failed to eliminate Hamas – and a ground invasion in a densely packed city would lead to even more civilian casualties, worsen Israel’s reputation on the world stage, and fail to make Israel any safer.” [SDJW Staff Report]
Our Shtetl San Diego County: Rep. Sara Jacobs Calls for Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza Read More »
Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Rashi’s commentaries are not original ideas. He drew fascinating stories from Midrashim and placed them into his commentary. Midrashim are books that collected fanciful, engaging stories written as parables and teaching aids − enjoyable and sometimes even exciting accounts − that, for the most part, were not originally intended to be understood as true history, or the true meaning of scriptural passages. However, Rashi and others, such as Nachmanides in the thirteenth century, took these tales as facts and used them to explain the Bible. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Rashi: Marvelous but Irrational Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This week’s parasha opens with a clear command to create and maintain the ner tamid, a light much like the chanukiyah, not to be used for any practical purpose but rather to amplify our connection to Hashem.[Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parasha Tetzaveh: Keep the Light Shining Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
He was on the prosecution team that convicted Julius and Ethel Rosenberg of espionage, leading to their execution. His work on that case prompted Senator Joseph McCarthy, R-Wisconsin, to appoint Cohn as the chief counsel on the Communist-hunting Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Roy Cohn Read More »
Jewish History, Shanda File, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
Throughout the trip – a collaboration of JPAC, JCRC Bay Area, and Jewish Federation LA – lawmakers witnessed firsthand the consequences of the horrific atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7th and their lasting effect on Israeli civil society. We visited impacted communities on the Gaza border and the surrounding areas, cried with families of hostages, and met with Israeli government officials, including President Isaac Herzog. [David Bocarsly]
California Legislators Visit Sites of Oct. 7 Massacre Read More »
California, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I completed a fantasy piece about the songs of the Jewish people a few days before their tragedy broke on the day of their great and joyous holiday, the Joy of Torah. I titled the piece I Hear a Scream. On the “Black Sabbath” of October 7, I heard the screams of Jews, victims of a pogrom that happened where there could have been no pogrom – in the territory of the Jewish state. [Boris Levenberg]
Israeli Composer Forwards ‘Jewish Tunes from Haifa’ Read More »
Alex Gordon, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Videos
The San Diego County Bar Foundation has notified Mary Lundberg that her late husband, former California Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D-San Diego) will be memorialized with a permanent plaque bearing his likeness in the Hall of Justice of the San Diego Superior Court. [SDJW staff]
Our Shtetl San Diego County: Permanent Plaque Will Honor Howard Wayne at Hall of Justice Read More »
California, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
I will be hosting the program, and my special guest will be Aimee Ginsburg Bikel, who was Theodore Bikel’s wife during the last years of his life and founder and director of the Theodore Bikel Legacy Project. The songs were selected to illustrate Bikel’s vast range and the large number of his recordings in our Astor Judaica Library. [Eileen Wingard]
Theodore Bikel’s Songs to Be First in JCC’s ‘Beloved Voices’ Series Feb. 22 Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego Calendar, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Beginning with the Kant and Moses Mendelssohn dispute, the German-speaking world debated the question of whether Judaism was a religion of reason. Cohen believed that Germany was the only country in which reason and religious feeling could easily be combined because of its philosophical idealism. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Hermann Cohen Sought a Merger of Judaism and Germanism Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Meyer helped to found Barnard College for women in 1889 across the street from Columbia. Barnard became one of the Seven Sisters of women’s colleges in America. Meyer became an associate editor of Broadway Magazine and also edited Women’s Work in America. She also authored such works as Robert Annys: A Poor Priest (1901); The Dominant Sex (1911); The Dreamer: A Play in Three Acts (1912); Black Souls (1932) which dealt with lynchings in the South; Barnard Beginnings (1935) and It’s Been Fun: An Autobiography. (1951) –SDJW staff
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Annie Meyer Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
In 1975, Forman had his first big hit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, about life in a psychiatric ward, which won him an Oscar as best director. In 1979, he directed Hair, based on the Broadway musical but it did not do well financially. In 1981, he directed Ragtime, based on a novel by E.L. Doctorow, and in 1985, he won another Academy Award for directing Amadeus, about the life of Mozart. [SDJW staff]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Milos Forman Read More »
Holocaust, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA
Every synagogue has its own personality. Farber said that Temple Etz Rimon’s is that “it is very, very friendly. Warm. You come into the building and you are greeted. You are welcomed at the oneg. They grab you; they love you. People will say, ‘Oh my God, you are so friendly!’ We are. There is no snobbishness in the group. It’s really a nice congregation. Unfortunately, it is getting smaller and smaller.” [Donald H. Harrison]