By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. In this week’s parasha we learn about the psychology of living life well, that is, how to strengthen our character. This includes a) reinforcing our spirituality and b) intensifying our commitment to a strong work ethic, two areas of contemporary societal life that are clearly in need of improvement. וְאַתֵּנָה […]
Parashat Vayetzei: Strengthening Our Character Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Steven Burg (JNS) Many of us know the themes of the Hanukkah story: pride in being Jewish; the few against the many; the defeat of our enemy; and the rededication of the Jewish Temple. Or perhaps some have only learned of the miracle of the oil and how it burned continuously for eight
The Hanukkah Story that Jews Need to Learn Read More »
Jewish Religion
The 14th year of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices will open Monday evening, November 15, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom with an unusual program featuring three outstanding creative artists in our community, Dr. Richard Alan Schere, Ruth Weber and her daughter, Emilia Lopez-Yanez. [Eileen Wingard]
Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Resumes Nov. 15 on Zoom Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County
The San Diego Symphony today announced its winter-spring 2022 concert season, offering 31 performances of classical and contemporary masterworks and chamber music from January 15 through May 28. Presented as “Hear Us Here,” the season will give the San Diego Symphony the opportunity to bring its music to a wider audience, with concerts performed at nine venues in the city and across the County, including the Symphony’s newest venue, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. [San Diego Symphony]
San Diego Symphony to Play at Nine Venues in Upcoming Season Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Published by BANG Showbiz English Gal Gadot has loved working with Lynda Carter on the ‘Wonder Woman’ movies. The 36-year-old actress stars as the iconic superhero in the Patty Jenkins-directed blockbuster series, and she’s relished the experience of having Lynda – who previously played Wonder Woman in a live-action TV series – star in the
Gal Gadot hails ‘mentor’ Lynda Carter Read More »
Jewish Celebrities
Published by Chicago Tribune I’m a huge sports fan. And while I have a particular penchant for my hometown Chicago teams, I’ll tune in to any big game. For me, sports provide the unscripted drama that supersedes the latest Netflix binge. Watching an underdog college basketball team make a surprise run to the Elite Eight
Commentary: As Kristallnacht anniversary approaches, I still hope hate speech will end Read More »
Jewish History
Published by BANG Showbiz English Julia Louis-Dreyfus is to star in ‘Beth & Don’. The 60-year-old actress has boarded the cast of the new movie, with A24 announcing last week that they had acquired the US rights to the comedy – which is being written and directed by Nicole Holofcener. The comedy flick centres on
Julia Louis-Dreyfus cast in comedy Beth & Don Read More »
Jewish Celebrities
Published by TravelPulse The Israeli Tourism Ministry has announced that fully vaccinated or recovered foreign nationals, including U.S. tourists, can resume travel to Israel for the first time in 19 months. This follows a successful pilot reopening program started in May 2021, which allowed only select, organized tour groups of immunized foreigner visitors. Israel’s Prime
Israel reopens to COVID-19 vaccinated, recovered international travelers Read More »
Travel and Food
Published by Loudwire Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg was the latest guest on Full Metal Jackie’s weekend radio show, dropping by to chat about the band’s ongoing touring and the continuing work toward a new album. Over this past year, Slipknot suffered a great loss with the death of former drummer Joey Jordison and during the
Published by BANG Showbiz English Kiss singer Paul Stanley’s father has died, aged 101. The band’s co-frontman shared his grief on social media, confirming the passing of his dad William Eisen – who survived the Holocaust – and revealing the “pride” William had for his son’s music career. The 69-year-old rocker posted on Twitter: “My
Kiss star Paul Stanley’s father has died at the age of 101 Read More »
Jewish Celebrities
Virtually all, if not all that we are told about Isaac is obscure, as with Abraham and Jacob. The Torah leaves out explanations for behaviors, leaving it to us to imagine what occurred and to derive meaning from our own ideas. The following are some examples of opaque events. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What Do We Know About Isaac, the Second Patriarch? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
A friend in the US recently asked me what I thought about Israel’s new government. My replay: It’s a government! Finally, after four elections in two years, the victory of a wide-ranging coalition government last spring meant that there was a good chance the election frenzy would end. The prerequisite for the government’s survival was to pass a budget before mid-November. If not, new elections would be scheduled and the government would be reduced to “caretaker” status only. [Steve Kramer]
At Long Last, Israel Has a Working Government Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
It has been speculated that the most “Jewish” characters on Sesame Street are Statler and Waldorf, the curmudgeonly critics in the balcony. What actual Jewish event has occurred on Sesame Street? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Sesame Street Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In a style reminiscent of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs of Disney fame, this book, reissued for Hanukkah, features a series of unidimensional characters with Yiddish names: Noshy Boy, Kvetchy Boy, Shmutzy Girl, Klutzy Boy, Shluffy Girl, Shleppy Boy, Kibbitzy Girl, and Keppy Girl. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chanukah with Some Stereotypical Yiddish Characters Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion