JFS to Shut Down College Avenue Senior Center Sept. 27

Whereas in its heyday, the College Avenue Senior Center drew between 80 and 120 people for a full day of programming, including lectures, exercise, movies, and an inexpensive kosher lunch, since its resumption after the COVID pandemic, the center’s attendance has averaged only 15 people, and even fewer for the lunch program, according to JFS Chief Operating Officer Dana Toppel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Orient Express’ Train Set Almost Steals The Show From All-Star Cast

For those unfamiliar with the story by Agatha Christie, it’s a classic who-dunnit set in 1934. Eclectic guests from around the world board a luxury train in Turkey bound for London. One of the guests is murdered and everyone is a suspect. [Sandi Masori}

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

Why Apples and Honey are Eaten at Rosh Hashanah

Why do we eat apples and honey during the High Holidays? This was the fruit that was most available in many parts of the world. The combination has been used for centuries to wish everyone a sweet New Year. [Cailin Acosta]

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

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Amy Winehouse

Courtesy of Wikipedia Amy Winehouse (September 14, 1983 – July 23, 2011) was a British singer and songwriter known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres, including soul, rhythm and blues, reggae, and jazz. Winehouse was a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in her youth, signing to Simon Fuller’s 19 Management in 2002 and soon recording a

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Reserve IDF Officers, Speaking for Themselves, Describe Israel’s Situation

Two reserve Israel Defense Force officers, speaking for themselves only, are touring the United States discussing the statuses of the military war and the propaganda war against Israel.  Maj. Ilan Shulman discussed Israel’s precarious military and strategic situation, and Lt. Col. Amit Grinfeld described Palestinian techniques in creating blatantly false propaganda against Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Mel Torme

Courtesy of Wikipedia Melvin Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999), nicknamed “the Velvet Fog“, was an American musician, singer, composer, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. He composed the music for “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”) and co-wrote the lyrics with Bob Wells. Tormé won two Grammy Awards and was nominated a total of

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

OpEd: Let’s Not Help Portland, Maine’s Economy Following its Anti-Israel Resolution

As a Jewish visitor to Maine, I am anxious to seek ways to divest from the city of Portland since its City Council voted to divest from up to 85 companies conducting business with Israel. We must wonder how this measure will harm Israel because Portland does not currently hold investments in even one of these companies. [Bruce S. Ticker]

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Bruce Ticker, Business & Finance, Israel, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

A Profound Choice Faces Israel, Visiting Israeli Professor Declares

One choice, he told an audience at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Wednesday evening, Sept. 12, is to continue its war with the Palestinians. “It means that it (Israel) will become a pariah state and in the long term, perhaps also an apartheid state,” he said.  “It will lose what is left of its authority in the Jewish world. What’s more, it means giving up on the original Zionist dream of creating a safe haven for Jews.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Leap Year ‘Delays’ Rosh Hashanah

Why is Rosh Hashanah so “late” this year? I have many memories of Rosh Hashanah occurring around going back-to-school and the end of summer. But some years it starts in October. Some Jewish years are leap years, in which an entire extra month is added to the calendar. This can result in certain Jewish holidays coming much later than in non-leap years. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Emmy Rossum

Courtesy of Wikipedia Emmy Rossum (September 12, 1986) is an American actress, director, producer, singer, and songwriter. The accolades she has received include a Saturn Award and Critics’ Choice Movie Award, alongside nominations for a Golden Globe Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and two Critics’ Choice Television Awards. Born and raised in New York City, she began professionally performing as

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Jewish Celebrities, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Return to Israel after a Vacation a Pleasure Despite All

Life in Israel is anything but sweet at the moment, with a difficult political situation, war in Gaza, over one hundred hostages still being held by Hamas and the heat of high summer. And yet, coming back to our home after being away for over a month was sweet and enjoyable. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Parsha Ki Teitzei: Mother Bird’s Feelings are a Jewish Concern

In our world today, there’s a pressing need for greater compassion and empathy. Many are suffering silently, and it’s crucial that we learn to listen with open hearts and minds. Leave it to the wisdom of the Torah, of Hashem, to guide us to do so, with the mitzvah of sending away a mother bird before taking her eggs or young. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors