Review of ‘Reagan: His Life and Legend,’ Part 3

After David Kimche, director general of Israel’s foreign ministry, told U.S. National Security Adviser Bud McFarlane in July 1985 that Iranian “moderates” had expressed a desire to improve relations with the United States and possibly release five American hostages, President Ronald Reagan instructed McFarlane to explore the idea. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Thousands at JCC Mark First Yahrzeit of October 7, 2023 Massacre Victims

It is hard to believe that a year later, the war is still waging and 101 hostages both dead and alive are still living the nightmare in Gaza. The trauma affects Jews all around the world. This was evident at the Lawrence Family JCC lawn where thousands of people gathered to commemorate and unite. [Miriam Gershenson]

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

Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony Inaugurates Refurbished Music Hall

The San Diego Symphony’s opening concert of its subscription series featured Mahler’s Symphony #2, “Resurrection,” an appropriate choice as the orchestra resumes residency in its beautifully refurbished hall, now renamed, the Jacobs Music Center. [Eileen Wingard]

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

U.S. Jewish Wrestler, a Gold Medal Olympian, Now a Bobblehead Figure

The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum on Monday unveiled the first bobblehead of 20-year-old Amit Elor, who became the youngest United States wrestler ever – male or female – to win an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. [Press Release]

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Press Release, Sports & Competitions, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Eric Adams

After ‍the ‍October ‍7 ‍Hamas ‍terrorist ‍attack, ‍Adams ‍spoke ‍at ‍a ‍‍New ‍York ‍Stands ‍With ‍Israel ‍rally, ‍saying ‍“Your ‍fight ‍is ‍my ‍fight…You ‍marched ‍with ‍us ‍with ‍Dr. ‍King…And ‍I’m ‍saying ‍we’re ‍going ‍to ‍stand ‍with ‍you ‍and ‍stand ‍united ‍together.” ‍What ‍else ‍has ‍Adams ‍said ‍to ‍indicate ‍his ‍love ‍for ‍Israel? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Israel, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Todd Salovey on Getting More Jewish Stories to the Stage

They take the script to various theaters to see if there’s any interest.  If a theater expresses interest in it, then they offer the theater what’s called an “enhancement fee” towards production costs. This is money that offsets the costs of producing it as a part of the theater’s regular season.  [Sandi Masori]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Simon Cowell

Courtesy of Wikipedia Simon Cowell (October 7, 1959) is an English television personality, entrepreneur, and record executive. He has judged on the British television talent competition shows Pop Idol (2001–2003), The X Factor UK (2004–2010, 2014–2018), and Britain’s Got Talent (2007–present), as well as the American television talent competition shows American Idol (2002–2010), The X Factor US (2011–2013), and America’s Got Talent (2016–present). Cowell founded the

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Although It Was Just a Reading, It Had Lage Emotional Impact

Back in the beginning of the summer I had the opportunity to attend a Jewish Italian culture night through San Diego JFest. Part of that event was a reading of an excerpt of Ali Viterbi’s play In Every Generation.  In that reading, Marco Barricelli and his real-life wife Beatrice Basso read the parts of Davide and Paola in the scene that depicts them as post-World War II, newly-married immigrants to America, exploring their new freedom to publicly practice Judaism without fear of pogroms or Nazis. [Sandi Masori]

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

Satire: Weaponizing the Weather

Reacting to the ferocity of Hurricane Helene, Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X: “Yes, they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done.” Although Greene doesn’t say who “they” are, “they probably are the same Jews she blamed for igniting California’s wildfires in 2021 with giant space lasers. [Laurie Baron]

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Antisemitism, California, Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Poring Through a New Reagan Biography to Glean His Relationships with Jews

For many readers, the takeaway from the 731 pages of text in Max Boot’s Reagan: His Life and Legend will be that President Ronald Reagan took direction from his subordinates, and depending on which ones he listened to, the results either were very good or disastrous. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Treasures Can Be Found Everywhere if You Look for Them

The saying “one man’s (or in this case, woman’s) trash is another person’s treasure” takes on a whole different meaning. Local San Carlos artist, Roni Breite held an open house at her private residence on Sunday, Sept. 29 for friends and family to view her creations and purchase them if they so desired. Every room in the house, even the bathrooms, had items on display on the walls. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors