Travel and Food

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

Rabbi Whose Family Were Conversos Now Heads a Colombian Sephardic Congregation

On a recent visit to this port city, I was among a group of four Jews who were escorted by a guide to a five-month-old Sephardic congregation (Sinagoga Sefardi) established by Rabbi Joachim Montoya, a medical doctor who had converted to Judaism after learning that he was descended from a family of Conversos. [Donald H. Harrison]

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

La Mesa’s Annual Holiday in the Village Seems to Ignore Chanukah

It was a festive occasion, but unfortunately, I did not find any decorations or events that had a Chanukah theme, so I focused on the Winter excitement. I will be mentioning this to the La Mesa Village Association that our holiday was not represented. Many Jewish residents live in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Holiday Greetings! What’s Appropriate to Say?

This can be a stressful time of the year financially and emotionally for many people. Wishing someone a “Happy Holiday” usually sparks a smile of relief and if that person corrects you with the holiday they celebrate, it is okay. Wishing someone a “Happy” something is better than not saying anything in my experience. [Cailin Acosta]

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Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Israel Recruits Medical Doctors at MedEx LA

Among the physicians preparing to migrate to Israel are husband and wife Drs. Garrett and Noa Sterling.  He is an emergency medicine physician, and she is a retired obstetrician/ gynecologist who now runs an online membership group that counsels individuals about pregnancy and post-partum issues.  Noa, speaking for herself and her husband, said, “We feel a spiritual calling to live in Israel.  The future of the Jewish people is in Israel, and we want to contribute to that future.” [Press Release]

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Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA

Bowl Games to Highlight College Football at the End of this Month

College football season comes to an end in the next couple of weeks. The college football playoffs are so confusing for us who grew up with just the bowls. My Dad z”l took me to the “Holiday Bowl” here in San Diego. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

House of Israel Serves Up Latkes During December Nights

The family and I attended the “December Nights” event in Balboa Park on Friday, Dec. 6 in historic Balboa Park. Through the crowds of hungry and thirsty attendees, we made our way to the House of Israel. We were greeted by a security guard at the front door and there was also another guard at the back of the house. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Israel, Middle East, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Maybe it’s Because I’m a Londoner…

Spending a week in London in mid-November is not really a good idea for someone who has become used to the Mediterranean climate of Israel, but the arrival there of our son from Las Vegas proved an overriding attraction, so we went. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Jews Divide Along Denominational Lines over Thanksgiving Celebrations

“When can we eat?” Not only do we hear this as we gather for Passover, but I am sure this question was asked in many homes on Thanksgiving. It is always the debate. Do you serve Thanksgiving lunch, something between noon and 6 p.m., or serve as the sun sets for dinner? [Cailin Acosta]

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

Visiting the Gaza Envelope

Recently we followed in the footsteps of many Israelis and traveled south to the “Gaza envelope” (the area of Jewish communities adjacent to the border). We were on one of two buses sponsored by the ESRA organization going to the area where 1,269 Israelis (and some others) were killed, thousands were wounded, and 250+ were kidnapped. In addition to our bus there were many other busses and private cars visiting the area. [Steve Kramer]

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Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food

Are There Jewish Miracles? Yes, 8 Days of Chanukah Among Them

Do Jews believe in miracles? An article on myjewishlearning.com sparked my interest. Miracles appear throughout Jewish texts, from the splitting of the Red Sea to the bush that burned but was not consumed. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food