San Diego County

Israeli Choreographer Develops New Rhythmic Dances

The driving force behind DrumatiX is founder, artistic director, and choreographer Noa Barankin, a native of Tel Aviv who has dedicated her life to the art of rhythm and movement. Barankin began tap dancing at 12 and transitioned to professional performances in her 20s. Her journey took her from Israel to Boston and ultimately to San Diego, where she established herself as a prominent figure in the rhythmic arts. [Miriam Gershenson]

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Israel, Miriam Gershenson, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

San Diego Congregations Helping Southern California Fire Victims

It has been devastating to turn on the news or check social media to see the homes lost and evacuations of homeowners and animals due to the wildfires in Los Angeles.  San Diego congregations are aiding some of the victims. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

How a Neighborhood Rallied to Save a Library’s Collection Unavoidably Soaked by Firefighters

In 1966, a fire that started on a top floor of the 10-story Jewish Theological Seminary building in New York City destroyed 70,000 books and other written items.  Many were extra copies of the books stored below; others were irreplaceable items such as the Torah scrolls sent for safekeeping from Danzig during the Holocaust. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

New Year’s Resolutions Are Kept for an Average of Two Weeks

I read somewhere that people stick to their New Year’s Resolutions for only two weeks. Two weeks after New Years Day, people give up. I found that a little sad.[Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

A Vegan Celebration of the New Year

My family and I have a tradition of staying in on New Year’s Eve and I do a Thanksgiving repeat of the Tofurkey surrounded by veggies and my mushroom gravy, salad, macaroni and cheese and Julian apple pie for dessert. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Elmo and Friends Celebrate Chanukah at Sesame Place

After the kids took some rides, we made it to the Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony with Elmo at Big Bird’s Wave Pool Lawn. Courtney Adams, Assistant Supervisor of Talent Operations, sang the brachot and since Oscar the Grouch was not invited to the lighting, he unplugged the menorah. A quick fix from the crew, the menorah was lit for the sixth night celebration. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

La Jollan Jagoda Coached Jimmy Carter for Debate with Gerald Ford

In 1976, Jagoda coached former Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter for his presidential debates against incumbent U.S. President Gerald Ford. Later, Carter became the 39th U.S. president. Carter won the popular vote (40,831,881 to Ford’s 39,148,634) and garnered 297 electoral votes to Ford’s 240. [Rick Griffin, Times of San Diego]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, News Media, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Times of San Diego, USA

Rabbi Leads Chanukah ‘Candle Lighting’ aboard Azamara’s Onward

A life-long learner, Ham radio operator, ardent Zionist, Reconstructionist rabbi whose wife Ilene Schneider also is a Reconstructionist rabbi, Gans welcomed between 40 and 50 people to candle lighting ceremonies on the first night of Chanukah on Wednesday, Dec. 25, in the Cabaret Lounge, the ship’s main showroom.  Azamara’s Onward had just completed a Christmas Day transit through the Panama Canal. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

When Chanukah Donuts Started Being Filled with Jam and Other Facts

Why do we eat jelly filled donuts on Chanukah? The easy answer has to do with agriculture, food politics and the desire for something sweet. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food