High Holidays Redux
COMMEMORATING
OCTOBER 7
LIFE IN ISRAEL
LOCAL SERVICES
LISTINGS
T H E H I G H H O L I D A Y S A R E C O M I N G U P
T
H E G A T E S O F H E
A
V E N W I L L B E O P E N . . .
S o W i l l O u r s
H I G H H O L I D A Y S A T C H A B A D
* I n s p i r a t i o n a l H e b r e w / E n g l i s h
S e r v i c e s
* S p e c i a l C h i l d r e n ' s P r o g r a m m i n g
* M e m b e r s h i p N O T R e q u i r e d
* T i c k e t s N O T R e q u i r e d
* J o y f u l & C o m f o r t a b l e
A t m o s p h e r e
* E v e r y o n e W e l c o m e
R o s h H a s h o n a h -
O c t 2 - 4
Y o m K i p p u r -
O c t 1 0 - 1 1
S u k k o t -
O c t 1 6 - 2 3
S h e m i n i A t z e r e t a n d S i m c h a t
T o r a h -
O c t 2 4 - 2 5
T H E R E I S A C H A B A D
C E N T E R N E A R Y O U !
W e h a v e l o c a t i o n s a l l o v e r S a n D i e g o !
S c r i p p s R a n c h ( C h a b a d S .
D i e g o H Q ) , B o n i t a , C a r l s b a d
N o r t h , C a r m e l V a l l e y ,
C o r o n a d o , D o w n t o w n , E a s t
C o u n t y , E n c i n i t a s , E s c o n d i d o ,
L a C o s t a , L a J o l l a , N o r t h
C o u n t y I n l a n d , O c e a n s i d e / V i s t a ,
P a c i f i c B e a c h , P e n a s q u i t o s ,
R a n c h o S . F e , S D S U , T i e r r a
S a n t a , U C S D , U n i v e r s i t y C i t y
T o f i n d y o u r l o c a l C h a b a d
J e w i s h C e n t e r a n d t o l e a r n
m o r e a b o u t H i g h H o l i d a y s l o g
o n t o
w w w . C h a b a d . o r g / H i g h H o l i d a y s
"May you be written and sealed in the Book of Life."
CENTER FOR JEWISH CARE LUNCHEON
Rabbi DR. SHMULY YANKLOWITZ
In Conversation with Michael Hopkins, JFS CEO
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | 12:00–2:00pm San Diego Marriott Del Mar
The Role of Compassion in Social Change
Together, we will explore the centrality of compassion in Jewish thought and how this core value can serve as a catalyst for social transformation. Drawing from ancient texts, contemporary case studies, and his own experiences as a social activist, Rabbi Shmuly will illustrate how acts of compassion can bridge divides, heal communities, and drive systemic change.
About Rabbi Shmuly
Rabbi Shmuly is committed to improving our communities through Torah learning, social action, and leadership development. His writings have appeared in outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, and the Atlantic.
Dr. Jenny Meiselman
2024 Recipient
In recognition of advocacy, dedication, and support for community members facing behavioral health challenges.
TICKETS | UNDERWRITING
www.jfssd.org/Luncheon2024
BRACHA/BLESSING
CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)
SHALOM/PEACE
Sean Joseph & Mahau Ma
OHR/LIGHT
Barbara & Mathew z”l Loonin
SIMCHA/JOY
Judi Gottschalk
Marie G. Raftery & Dr. Robert A. Rubenstein
Susan Shmalo
THANK YOU TO OUR UNDERWRITERS In
Linda Janon Behavioral Health Champion Award
About the cover: Pepe Fainberg, a resident of Jerusalem, is an illustrator, cartoonist and painter whose works have been published in The Jerusalelm Post and The Jerusalem Report, among others. He is the award-winning creator of logos and graphics, and is known as “the fastest pen in the Middle East.”
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Leorah Gavidor, Emily Gould, Patricia Goldblatt, Sharon Rosen Leib, Andrea Simantov, Marnie Macauley, Lisa McGuigan, Rabbi Jacob Rupp, Rachel Eden, T.S. McNeil, Sybil Kaplan.
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Juan Vargas: A proven voice & vote in Congress PRO-ISRAEL
In Congress, he’ll continue to:
Support Israel's right to defend itself and eliminate Hamas
Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages
Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions
Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords
Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon
VOTE FOR JUAN VARGAS
SUSAN EDELSTEIN
Fighting Infamy with Joy and Resilience
It is difficult to know what to say— what to write — as the anniversary of Oct. 7, that terrible day, is upon us. Like the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, which killed 2,400 Americans, and the Sept. 11, 2001 attack which killed more than 3,000, Oct. 7 is Israel’s “day that will live in infamy.”
To commemorate that day, Lee Yaron, an Israeli journalist, has written a book titled “10/7: 100 Human Stories,” which documents the single most traumatic day in Israeli history via interviews with survivors, first responders and eyewitnesses. Yaron felt she had a mission “to keep people alive on paper,” and fulfilling that mission helped her to deal with her grief and hopelessness.
SDJJ’s regular writers are also dealing with the aftermath of Oct. 7 in many different ways. Rabbi Eilfort recounts preparing last year for his congregation’s celebration of the new year in which they were to host “a festive banquet of epic proportions and dance with our Torahs with reckless abandon” when the disaster in Israel unfolded, but he reminds us that in the face of such grief and violence, our greatest weapon is joy and that we are, in fact, obligated by the Torah to be joyous.
Andrea Simantov writes that Israeli sons and daughters are on the borders, putting their lives on the line every day, and that at this time of year, we must “rededicate ourselves to become worthy of their sacrifice.” Galia Sprung recognizes Israel’s utmost need to be prepared and has become a volunteer field observer since the IDF field observers are needed elsewhere. This is an intense position for which Galia is grateful because it is almost like being the soldier she never got to be.
Lisa McGuigan’s pumpkin drive is a reminder that our Jewish obligation to give, tzedakah, includes animals and is central to her wonderful pumpkin drive. Micah Siva’s chocolate chip cookie recipe honors Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has indeed become everyone’s son, brother and friend. Our literature writer, Trevor McNeil, tells us about a Jewish American writer whose anti-war books provide a classic example of the positive Jewish stereotypes of resilience and humor. And if Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza is causing you relationship problems, be sure to read Marnie Macauley’s column.
So, let’s heed the shofar and respond with joy and gratitude. Shana Tova. A
Our Town
by Linda Bennett and Emily Bartell
It was a lovely day at the zoo! On Aug. 7, we attended the annual luncheon for the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem held at the San Diego Zoo. It takes place each year as a meet and greet with the Israel and San Diego Youth Exchange participants; we enjoyed hearing some of their personal experiences and welcomed them for their stay in our town. Some of those we were with were Israel Consul for Mexico Gregorio Goldstein, Nik Bandak, Mayor Todd Gloria, former Representative Susan Davis, Pamela Nathan, Julie and Jay Sarno, Rabbi Eli Fratkin, Leonard Hirsch, Karina and Bob Kipperman, Maggie and Paul Meyer, Diane Feuerstein, Allison and Robert Price. Following a lavish buffet lunch, the Honorable Victor Bianchini emceed a program that included the distribution of certificates for the teenaged participants.
With plans already underway for the 35th Annual San Diego Jewish Film Festival, we attended a showing of “Seven Blessings” as a taste of what we all have to look forward to in 2025. Some of the other film buffs in the crowded LFJCC David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre that we ran into were, July Galper, Amy Stern, Avril Copans, Sonia Israel, Susie and Eli Meltzer, Barbara and Rick Cohen, Lolie Fromm, Marilyn Singer, Marlene and Marc Hamovitch, Carol and Danny Strub, Sharon and Nate Koren, Joyce Camiel and Bryce Westphall, Renee Barnow, and Bella Veitzman
Yom Huledets Sameach to...
Robert Berton celebrating his 87th birthday.
Judy Gumbiner celebrating her 80th birthday.
CELEBRATING Wedding Anniversaries
with infinite love & happiness, Mazel Tov to…
Irma and Gilbert Greenspan, 72 years
Naomi and Myron Shelley, 70 years
Lorraine and Mort Schrag, 65 years
Susan and Jerome Pollack, 62 years
Joy and Jeffrey Kirsch, 62 years
Helaine and Robert Baum, 61 years
Marilyn and Warren Dean, 60 years
Marsha and Alvin Korabkin, 59 years
Ellen and Hal Lefkowitz, 59 years
Hollis and Alan Litrownik, 57 years
Gail and Mark Braverman, 57 years
Bonnie and Barry Graff, 56 years
Marjorie and Michael Rabin, 56 years
Erica and Joel Berick, 55 years
Paula and Charles Brown, 54 years
Polly and Richard Wolf, 54 years
Judy and Harvey Amster, 54 years
Nan and Alan Barth, 53 years
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE OF SAN DIEGO
Inclusive social programs & events for individuals with disabilities throughout San Diego
Shooting Stars/Sports
JCC Rehearsal Room/Field
Sunday Circle & TLB & Parent‘s Support
10 am - 12pm
Chabad of University City (Governor Dr)
Sukkot on the Farm
12-4pm Coastal Roots Farm
Friendship Dojo
Adults 10-11am
Kids 11am-12pm
Shaolin Kempo Arts (Tripp Ct)
LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE
by Andrea Simantov | andreasimantov@gmail.com
For What It’s Worth
It’s becoming a prickly Sunday morning phenomenon: the result of lazy, nap-filled Sabbaths that revitalize my body and soul. Two hours before the alarm is scheduled to buzz, I toss for the last time in a long, long night and opt to leave the bed. My schedule for the day ahead is impossibly full, and I’m feeling anxious.
After hasty ablutions, I caught up on my various prayer group obligations with the recitation of backlogged Psalms. The scrubbed electric platter and drained hot-water urn, which we used on Shabbat, were returned to their storage places. Still too early to begin the regular morning prayers, I walked the dog, folded laundry, weighed out my day’s proteins and woke the husband. The chill in the air signified the onset of Israel’s autumn, a welcome change to the seemingly endless hamsins that resulted in exorbitant electric bills this summer.
laundry, meet for lunch or consider which tablecloths will adorn our Yom Tov tables. The cakes are for my son to share with his army unit.
Sipping coffee, my husband remarks that I look tired. “You need more sleep.” I nod in agreement and dutifully listen to his recap of the Will Smith movie he’d watched the night before. We suddenly jump at the not-so-faint booms of rockets being fired somewhere. It clearly wasn’t close, but the sounds were unmistakable. The Netflix narrative was aborted as we simultaneously grabbed our cellphones and scanned various sites to determine what, exactly, we’d heard.
I do English, and he does Hebrew, which means that, although I’m always a day late and a dollar short on keeping current, Ronney’s linguistic fluency means that he can access news and inform me in real-time. This time, it was the Yemeni Houtis. Reports say that a considerable amount of debris fell over Modiin, Rehovot, Tel Aviv and around Ben Gurion Airport. And we, in our humble South Jerusalem home, feel reverberations.
Indeed, I’d stayed up too late the night before because once we’d finished the havdalah ceremony in which we exit the holy Sabbath, I furiously baked a slew of banana and zucchini breads, along with some carrot cakes. Eighteen cakes in all, but not, as one might assume, for Rosh HaShana or Sukkot. I have given little thought to those menus or what I might wear to synagogue. My son is at the border. My son is defending the land of Israel. My son and his friends are laying their lives at the enemies’ doorsteps so that we might work another day, do another
We take so much for granted instead of feeling awash with gratitude. Am I stunned and humbled when I open my eyes upon realizing that I’ve been granted another day? Of course I offer blessings over bread and fruit, but where is the delight when the water that flows
out of my taps is both clean and potable? Do I moan when checking another overscheduled week ahead, or do I thank G-d for a wonderful roster of clients who appear satisfied and return time after time? And when I finish my monthly hospital treatment and munch falafel at the corner dive, do I wolf down the deliciously greasy repast without taking the pains to credit great medical care, money to eat out, and the company of a devoted partner?
My compatriots and I are painfully aware of the astronomically unbearable price that we are paying at this time in Jewish history. It behooves me to question: Is my life, filled with innumerable blessings, the kind of life that is worthy of such ultimate sacrifice? Can I look into the faces of parents, siblings, grandparents and children
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WRITTEN IN FIRE
by Trevor James McNeil tremcneil1980@gmail.com
Poking the Bear
Some rebels are born making trouble and poking the eye of authority from their earliest days. Others are made through a heady cocktail of experience and instinct, leading to a dogged determination and an impish impertinence to the way things are supposed to be. It is not clear which path Charles Yale Harrison took in terms of his origin story, only that he had an irrepressible distaste and eternal disdain for the abusive brutes and lying hypocrites to whom he served as a particularly painful thorn in the side for most of his life, standing as a classic example of the positive Jewish stereotypes for resilience and humor.
Born in Philadelphia to middle-class Jewish parents in 1898, Harrison was soon relocated to the Canadian province of Quebec, partly because Canada was generally more welcoming of Jews at the time. Blessed with a native intelligence, Harrison was often too clever by half and left school for an entry-level job at the Montreal Star by the age of 16.
Journalism came naturally to Harrison, who had an instinct for truth and a built-in distrust of anyone in power, including the bickering cousins in Europe that would too soon disrupt his and millions of other lives with the outbreak of World War I. Enlisting in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at 19, he was sent to Europe to fight the Huns. Surviving through more than a year of mud, blood and tears, Harrison took
part in the Battle Amiens, three months before the armistice that would end the war. One of the lucky ones, Harrison took a wound to the foot and was in the hospital for the last few months of the war.
When he could walk without wincing, Harrison returned to Montreal, where he again took up journalism, working consistently for the next 11 years before the muses of creativity struck. Many had been impacted by the war, and, in 1930, after the initial banner-waving and saber-rattling had died down, anti-war novels like “A Farewell to Arms” and “Goodbye to All That” became quite popular. Harrison wrote his own take on the emerging trend in a characteristically sarcastic style with his first novel, “Generals Die In Bed.”
Published in book form in 1930 after serialization in 1928, “Generals Die In Bed” follows an unnamed narrator from Montreal as he makes the life-altering decision to join the army during WWI. Very much a case of ‘write what you know,’ Harrison drew on both his military experience and journalistic background; the novel often reads like an account of an actual person, which it is in a way. Much of the humor comes in the contradiction between what the recruits have been told and the reality they found on the frontlines. It was a nervy thing to do only about a decade after the fact when the wounds were still very raw, and there was another war less than a decade away.
There had been successful anti-war books before, but few had tackled the lies and hypocrisy at the core of the entire military construct like Harrison, going right down to the book’s title. It was a particularly pointed attack on figures like Field Marshal Douglas Haig, who was one of the main British leaders at Amiens, where 22,202 British, Canadian and Australian soldiers died. Mostly because the leadership, like Haig, thought that running headlong across a field of barbed wire and landmines into machine gun fire and mustard gas was a sound military strategy. It was a strategy they had so much faith in that they tended to stay 20 to 30 miles away at headquarters planning strategies, while people like Harrison and the book’s protagonists did the fighting and dying.
“Generals Die In Bed” proved to be so popular, despite the dark and slightly spiky content, that he wrote another book right away and published “A Child Is Born” a year later in 1931. In 1933, Harrison followed the themes in “Generals Die In Bed” with “There Are Victories.” Not a ‘war novel’ in the same way as “Generals Die In Bed,” but it was much more about the damage war can do to both the soldiers and their loved ones. War doesn’t appear until partway through the novel when the husband of the protagonist leaves to fight but comes back changed. Suddenly, he is a violent, philandering brute who won’t take no
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High Holidays
Rosh Hashanah is Oct 2-4 | Yom Kippur is Oct 11-12
Guide to the High Holidays
Our annual guide to local High Holiday services and meals is available online to read or download. Scan the code below or go to issuu.com/sdjewishjournal
Shana Tova! A SWEET AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Guide to the
Shana Tova!
A SWEET AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
Literature continued
for an answer in the bedroom, and the protagonist escapes her husband, only to end up with a man who is only slightly better. The title refers to the fact that there are victories, just not for the protagonist or her husband.
It took five years for Harrison to publish another novel, but when “Meet Me On The Barricades” came out in 1938, it made a massive impact. Taking place during the Spanish Civil War as opposed to WWI, it was essentially everything “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was not. Where Hemingway tried for clarity, Harrison willfully obscured things, partly to reflect the surreal nature of war for those who are in it. Harrison’s last novel, “Nobody’s Fool,” was released in 1948.
No stranger to nonfiction, Harrison also wrote everything from pamphlets on public housing to biographies of the crusading lawyers Clarence Darrow in 1931 and Louis Waldman in 1944, the latter of which was ghostwritten. Keeping his sense of humor, Harrison’s last published book was “Thank G-d For My Heart Attack,” published in 1949, five years before he died of that same condition at the age of 55. A
Growing up in the far north, Trevor James McNeil had little to do other than read when the temperature went below 40 Celsius, and he developed an affinity for stories of all sorts. Graduating from the University of Victoria in 2009, he has been reading and writing in a professional capacity since. He lives in a cabin in the woods with his dog, and firmly believes The Smiths would have been better as a trio.
Israeli Lifestyle continued
of the holy soldiers who have been irreparably maimed or, worse, perished in defense of our G-d-given land with clean hands and/or a clean heart?
In previous years, my yamim noraim (Days of Awe) prayers have been hasty, perfunctory and presumptionfilled. My mind wanders, and the liturgy feels so long! But this year, the prayers can’t possibly be long enough for us to fully commit to a real teshuva; a determined desire coupled with continuous efforts toward bettering our observance, bettering our behavior, bettering our giving, bettering our kindness, bettering our gratitude.
We have an opportunity to approach this season of rebirth with the goal of rededicating ourselves toward becoming worthy men and women, collectively deserving of what is being asked of our holy chayalim. With tear-filled prayers for these soldiers, let us, unified, storm the Heavens with prayers for the welfare of every holy soldier who is fighting to protect that which is worth fighting — and sometimes dying — for.
And as for being better in the year to come? It’s the least we can do.
Shanah tovah u’gmar chatimah tovah! A
New York-born Andrea Simantov moved to Israel 29 years ago. She is a small-business owner and both a print and media journalist. Her popular podcast, “Pull Up a Chair,” is produced by Israel News Talk Radio. She can be reached at andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com.
MARKED BY DARKNESS MAGEN DAVID ADOM DELIVERED IN A YEAR
We can’t ensure this Rosh HaShanah will usher in a peaceful year. But with your support, Magen David Adom can continue to be a source of light, hope, and lifesaving care to all Israelis — no matter what 5785 brings.
Support Israel’s lifesavers at afmda.org/give or 866.632.2763.
MATZA MAMA
by Lisa McGuigan temeculatots@gmail.com
The Temecula Mama Pumpkin Drive: A Community United in Giving Back
In the heart of Southern California, where the rolling vineyards of Temecula Valley meets the warm embrace of a tight-knit community, a unique tradition has taken root: the Temecula Mama Pumpkin Drive. What started as a small, local event has blossomed into a cherished annual tradition that weaves together the threads of community and the spirit of giving back. It is expected that this year will be the most successful drive to date with the addition of a new partner, Sale Ranch Animal Sanctuary, and more dropoff locations throughout Temecula and San Diego. Sale Ranch Animal Sanctuary offers rescue and refuge to farm animals discarded by the food industry. Through their advocacy efforts, they empower others to join them in making a positive change for farm animals and the environment.
One Person’s Trash is Another Person’s Treasure
providing nutritious, enriching food for a variety of animals, from pigs and goats to chickens and even cows.
The Influence of Jewish Values
Central to the Pumpkin Drive is the influence of Jewish values, particularly those of tzedakah (charitable giving). Tzedakah is not merely charity in the sense of giving to those less fortunate; it is a moral obligation in Jewish tradition. It encompasses acts of justice, righteousness and fairness, reflecting the belief that helping others is a duty, not just a choice.
In the United States alone, it’s estimated that about 1.3 billion pounds of pumpkins are grown annually, with a large portion of them being used for Halloween decorations. Once Halloween passes, these pumpkins are often discarded rather than consumed or composted. This results in a substantial amount of organic waste. When pumpkins decompose in landfills, they generate methane,
a potent greenhouse gas that is significantly more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. The decomposition of millions of pounds of pumpkins contributes to climate change by increasing methane emissions. Additionally, transporting these pumpkins to landfills involves the use of fossil fuels, further adding to the carbon footprint of pumpkin waste. It is downright spooky—no pun intended. What might seem like waste to some can become a valuable resource for others, especially for sanctuary animals. These pumpkins are a treasure trove,
While tzedakah is commonly associated with aiding people, it can also extend to the welfare of animals, reflecting a broader commitment to kindness and compassion in all forms of life. Donating to or volunteering at animal sanctuaries, which provide lifelong care for animals that have been mistreated, neglected, or simply cannot survive on their own, is a compassionate expression of tzedakah These sanctuaries, which are in need of resources, offer a safe and nurturing environment for animals to live out their lives in peace.
The Ripple Effect of Giving Back
The Pumpkin Drive serves as a beautiful example of how a community event can be more than just a gathering—it can be a meaningful expression of shared
A Sale Ranch resident enjoying a snack.
values and a force for positive change. As the Pumpkin Drive continues to grow year after year, it stands as a testament to the power of giving back and the enduring impact of community spirit. It reminds us that, in a world that can often feel divided, there are still places where people come together to lift each other up, share in the joys of the season, and work towards a better, more just world for all. A
Lisa McGuigan is an adventure-loving Jewish mama located in the Temecula Valley. She is also a co-founder of Jewish Together Temecula Valley, and creator of @temeculamama—a digital guide highlighting family-friendly fun in Southern California and beyond.
HOW TO HELP
Donate Your Pumpkins!
The Pumpkin Drive will offer multiple postHalloween drop-off locations in San Diego and the Temecula Valley between Nov. 1-3, 2024. Please consider donating your whole, uncarved pumpkins to any of these locations.
Butterfield Stage Park | Nov. 1, 10am-12pm 33654 De Portola Rd., Temecula
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum Nov. 1, 9am-2pm 320 N. Broadway, Escondido
Grocery Outlet | Nov. 2, 8am-8pm 39573 Los Alamos Rd., Murrieta
AR Workshop | Nov. 2, 10am-4pm 31795 Rancho California #500, Temecula
The Plot Restaurant | Nov. 3, 11am-2pm 1733 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside
• Speak to your local grocery store or pumpkin patch about their plans for their end-of-season pumpkins and ask that they consider donating them.
• Work with your neighbors, community leaders and schools to create your own Pumpkin Drive — raising awareness and spreading compassion.
For more information about the Pumpkin Drive or to get involved, please contact Lisa McGuigan: Lisa@temeculamama.com
It’s that time of year for celebrating where you’ve been and where you’re going. Feeling strong and energetic comes easily in a stimulating setting. That’s where our beautiful communities shine— impressive amenities and invigorating programs offer what you need for a lively, enjoyable future.
Book a tour and see for yourself.
In “10/7,” journalist Lee Yaron profiles victims of the Oct. 7 massacre from a wide range of communities. PHOTOS: URI BAREKET; ST. MARTIN’S PRESS.
A New Book About Oct. 7 Aims to Depict the Humanity Behind the Horror
by Andrew Silow-Carroll, JTA
Lee Yaron was in New York on Oct. 7, doing a fellowship at Columbia University, when news broke of an unimaginable attack on southern Israel by Hamas. Like many Israelis living abroad, she felt helpless and frustrated. Unlike most Israelis, she is a journalist, a longtime contributor to the Israeli Daily Haaretz, and she had an outlet for her fear and anger.
Within days, she was on a plane to Israel, where she spent the next four months interviewing survivors, firstresponders and eyewitnesses to the attacks. The result is “10/7: 100 Human Stories,” a book that documents perhaps the single most traumatic day in Israeli history through intimate profiles of some of the 1,200 people killed and hundreds of people taken hostage.
“I am trying to keep people alive on paper, to keep the sense of humanity of who they were.”
“I was still very much overwhelmed with my own grief and sense of shock and just this deep feeling that I need to do something,” Yaron, 30, said in an interview. “On the one hand, it was very traumatic, and I feel it now, even more than I felt it when I was writing the book. At the same time, I had a mission, I knew what I needed to do, and I was focused on this. The book helped me to deal with my
grief and my sense of hopelessness.”
“10/7: 100 Human Stories” joins a number of works of nearly “instant” reporting and documentation of the attack on Israel, including the documentary film “Supernova-The Music Festival Massacre”; a forthcoming documentary on Paramount+, “We Will Dance Again”; a play, “October 7: In Their Own Words,” based on firsthand testimony; and a museum-style exhibit, “The Nova Exhibition,” that was staged in Israel, New York and now Los Angeles.
“10/7” is, however, the most expansive account yet of the day, capturing the diversity of the victims and survivors and, by extension, of Israel as a whole. There are stories of Jewish refugees who fled the war in Ukraine, and Mizrahi Jews who escaped their countries to
come to Israel in the 1950s. Hamas didn’t discriminate among left-wing kibbutzniks, blissed-out club kids or right-wing followers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Nor did they spare Bedouins, Thai and Nepalese migrant workers, or the Christian and Muslim Arabs who, she writes, “had the gall to live among Jews as fellow citizens.”
Often in her research, one story would lead to another, a chain of family, friends and neighbors who died at the hands of terrorists, or survived huddled in safe rooms or simply sheltering in places the attackers overlooked.
Yaron, who divides her time between New York and Israel, has been a journalist with Haaretz for nearly a decade, focusing on what she calls people on the margins of Israeli society: asylum seekers, the LGBT community, victims of sexual violence and the poor. In all these stories, she said, she tries to describe a situation from the “bottom up.”
Nazis — an effort, writes Cohen, “that seeks to reclaim the dead, at least some of them, from numeric anonymity and political exploitation.”
Yaron accepts the comparison, but with a caveat. Survivors created memorial books so “people wouldn’t deny these crimes and so the stories will be documented,” she said. “But here the main difference is that Hamas documented everything. They weren’t trying to deny it.”
different politicians with different agendas, making him some kind of a symbol and eliding who he was as a person, his humanity, his personality, the unique things that made Gal Gal.
“I think that’s the difference between the reporting I’m doing and most of the coverage we’re reading, in that I am trying to keep people alive on paper, to keep the sense of humanity of who they were,” she continued.
She extends that sense of humanity to Israelis from across the religious and political spectrum, and finds disillusionment on all sides. She talks to Oct. 7 survivors who are appalled and furious and who in many cases became radicalized by what Hamas did and what they stand for, but who also feel betrayed by an army and government that did not protect them.
“We’ve been flooded with information about Israel and Palestine, but we’re hearing from the politicians, from the Israeli government, from Hamas — from the people that created the conflict, not from the people affected by it,” she said.
In an afterword to “10/7,” Yaron’s husband, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Joshua Cohen, compares the book to the Yizker-bikher, or memorial books, written by Holocaust survivors to document the history of Jewish communities destroyed by the
She also intends the book as a corrective to those who seek to exploit the tragedy, whatever their politics. The book is dedicated to Gal Eisenkot, the son of Israeli government minister Gadi Eisenkot, who was killed in December in northern Gaza during an operation that led to the recovery of two hostages’ bodies.
“He was a very dear friend of mine since we were kids,” said Yaron, who was born in Tel Aviv. “One of the most difficult things after we got the message that Gal died was to see how his death was politicized and used by so many
“When this fence was broken on Oct. 7, I think for a lot of Israelis, our sense of security was broken, too,” said Yaron.
For her parents and grandparents — Romanian on her father’s side, Portuguese and Turkish on her mother’s — Israel meant safety. Yaron is now pained to see Israelis, perhaps 40,000 or more, who have left the country since Oct. 7 and have no immediate plans to return. “They’re all saying ‘we don’t trust Israel anymore to protect our kids. We don’t want to live with this anxiety of the army not being there to protect us, while we pay incredibly high taxes.’”
Does Yaron worry that books and films that focus on the horrors
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The remains of the destruction caused by Hamas terrorists at Kibbutz Be’eri near the IsraeliGaza border, as seen on Jan. 4, 2024. PHOTO: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90.
of Oct. 7 contribute to this sense of disillusionment, or perhaps harden readers and viewers to the suffering of Palestinians and the possibilities for peace?
“I write about the horrible situation in Gaza in the introduction to the book. It’s devastating that so many innocent people that had nothing to do with the crimes of Hamas paid the heaviest price: the deaths, the hunger, the disease. Most of Gaza is destroyed,” she said. “But primarily, I focus on the Israeli stories out of respect and recognition that the Palestinian stories, especially now, are not my stories to tell, and I do wait for my Palestinian colleagues to do this important work and tell the Palestinian stories.”
And Yaron hasn’t given up on her own hopes that Israel and its neighbors might one day live in peace. In the book she tells the story of Maoz Inon, originally from the Netiv HaAsara moshav on the border with Gaza, who runs a hospitality company that promotes Jewish-Arab coexistence. On Oct. 6, his parents Yakovi and Bilha returned to the moshav after a Friday-night dinner with their five
children and 11 grandchildren in Tel Aviv. They died the next day after Hamas fired a rocket-propelled grenade into their house.
Maoz, who after the attack started a demonstration in front of the Knesset that turned into a protest camp, tells Yaron that his parents would have wanted him “to forgive, not to seek revenge.”
“It’s time for Israelis and Palestinians to understand each other’s narratives and pain, to unite in opposition to their politicians, and advocate for peace,” he says.
Yaron is aware that many Jewish authors have been ostracized by pro-Palestinian activists who see no distinction between hawkish nationalists or liberal Israelis who support coexistence with the Palestinians. As she begins promoting her book, she is wary of extremists on both sides, including Palestinians and Jews who seek a onestate solution that excludes one side or the other.
“The places where I met people chanting ‘from the river to the sea’ were in the West Bank by Jewish extremists
Personal items abandoned at the Nova trance music festival, where hundreds were killed by Hamas on Oct. 7, are collected in a real lostand-found at an exhibit about the massacre.
PHOTO: ELIYAHU FREEDMAN.
and in Columbia University by the people from the global left,” she said.
“For me, justice is a compromise. As much as I would like to change some of the mistakes that early Zionism made, we can’t change the past. We can only think about the future and fight about the future. And I wish these [pro-Palestinian activists] would fight on the side of the Israeli left with the people that are trying to promote a solution and a peaceful life for all sides.”
As a liberal Zionist, Yaron said, “I’m alone inside of Israel, and I’m alone here. I really hope these people that I know that want justice, will learn to distinguish between people and their governments and understand that people are never to blame. I really hope this book will be also translated to Arabic, and I really hope it will be a first step of recognizing the humanity.” A
Andrew Silow-Carroll is a contributing writer for JTA and SDJJ.
As hard as it may seem, weapon, and that is joy! we must use our ultimate
A Day That Will Live in Infamy
by Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
Iremember it clear as day. Last Oct. 7, I was sitting in my synagogue getting ready to begin services for Shmini Atzeret, called Z’man Simchateinu, the Time of Our Joy. There was an air of expectancy as we counted the hours until Simchat Torah, the single happiest day on the Jewish calendar. As the name implies, our joy is generated by our Torah — the greatest gift ever bestowed. Chabad at La Costa celebrates in grand fashion. We host a festive banquet of epic proportions and dance with our Torahs with reckless abandon.
As I sat contemplating the celebration ahead, I was informed about the heinous, bestial attack against our brothers and sisters in Israel. Needless to say, all of the wind flew out of my sails. Instead of celebrating the happiest day of the year, it suddenly felt like I was at my best friend’s funeral times 1,000. I didn’t feel like praying! I wanted to head home,
get into bed, hide under the sheets and try to wake up from this unbelievable nightmare.
Alas, I couldn’t. It wasn’t a nightmare; it was reality, or perhaps more appropriately, it was surreal.
The blood of babies and all the other innocents, Jewish and non-Jewish, was not even dry when the ‘protests against Israeli aggression’ began. As we know, these ‘protests’ are ongoing. Ironically, the halls of academia are more toxic than the streets of Saudi Arabia. Jewish students are being excluded from areas on campus that have been declared ‘Zionist Free Zones.’ Economic pressure has been brought to bear as Jewish businesses are being boycotted.
Leading the anti-Israel (and therefore antisemitic) cause is the mainstream media. The downright unethical way this war is being reported is nauseating. Regrettably, it was totally predictable.
As time goes on and we learn of UN complicity in the atrocities, the mask formally worn by many antisemites has come off.
And now we get to the truly sickening part of the story. The mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks (may his name be eradicated), was in an Israeli jail some years ago. At this same time, there was a Jewish soldier named Gilad Shalit who had been kidnapped by the monsters. Israeli politicians buckled under enormous domestic pressure and freed 1,000 murderers in exchange for Gilad Shalit. On Oct. 7, Israel paid the price for that exchange. Incredibly, many loud voices in Israel are now clamoring to do the same thing.
Think about it: in exchange for a less-than-worthless ceasefire, Israel will free thousands of murderers. Not only will Israel have to stop finally putting Hamas out of action, but she will also
have to abandon her hard-won control of strategically critical areas. This will mean that Hamas will reoccupy those areas and rebuild their capacity to murder Jews. Hamas will win a huge victory, at least in the eyes of the Arab streets. Israel’s position will have been further eroded in the eyes of the world. And for what? The 700+ brave and heroic soldiers of the IDF who have died in this war will have died for nothing.
And does anyone actually think the ceasefire will hold? We have already seen this movie. The rockets will continue to be shot at Israeli citizens, and if/when Israel responds, Israel will be accused of war crimes. The monsters will break the ceasefire like they have every previous time, and they will do so at the precise moment that it serves their interests most.
Is anyone else sick and tired of watching this horror story? Arabs attack.
Israel gets the upper hand. The world demands that Israel stop? Israel must defeat/eradicate Hamas completely. Israel must control the strategically critical areas in Gaza that will help ensure Israeli security. Israel should also put the enemy to the north out of its misery. And then Israel needs to let the Iranians know that their special brand of terror is going to be put out of business permanently.
The West must back Israel and give her not only the weapons she needs but the political cover that is so important. Politicians must have the guts to tell the rabble-rousers to shut up. The universities must be defunded until they rid themselves of their toxic, false, antisemitic curricula.
And what must we do? We must soldier on in our own way. We must be strong advocates for Israel. We can best do that by being strong, proud Jews.
We must rid ourselves of the ghetto mentality which pushes us to pursue the approval of the nations. Instead we must pursue the approval of G-d Almighty.
As hard as it may seem, we must use our ultimate weapon, and that is joy! We must bask in the joy of serving the Creator. We must generate joy by helping each other. And we must grow our joy by studying the Torah, which is referred to as ‘Oz,’ or strength, in the Holy Writings. Indeed, it is in our hands to win this war. We must just decide to do it. A
SOURCE:
Kevin Faulconer for County Board of Supervisors District 3
SOURCE:
SOURCE: Official records of the Regional Continuum of Care Council
This Year’s High Holiday Kids’ Books Are A Celebration of Jewish Diversity
“A Turkish Rosh Hashanah”
by Penny Schwartz, JTA
The enduring traditions of the High Holiday season take shape across time and place in the latest crop of children’s books about Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.
This year’s books transport readers back to biblical times; whiz them to the old-world streets of Istanbul; remember the etrog trade in 18th-century New York City; and celebrate harvest festivals from very different cultures. All of them beckon families with stories that display the rich diversity in Jewish culture.
Here’s your roundup of new children’s High Holidays books for 2024.
By Etan Basseri
Illustrated by Zeynep Özatalay Kalaniot Books; ages 5-9
In this heartwarming story, Rafael, a young Jewish boy in Istanbul, wishes his grandmother Nona, and his cousins Alegra and Leon, “anyada buena,” the Judeo-Spanish greeting for a happy new year shared by Sephardic Jews at Rosh Hashanah. Kids follow the cousins at the bustling outdoor market, where they help Nona shop for the ceremonial foods they will enjoy that evening at their traditional Sephardic meal. The cousins’ excitement is briefly dampened when an older kid bullies them while they shop. But Alegra courageously uses her voice to stand up to him, leading the way for Rafael and Leon to speak out, as well. A
playful pack of friendly cats gets in on the action, keeping it light. When the family gathers for the holiday, Nona praises the kids for their team work. The book concludes with an author’s note about Sepharic customs and a handy glossary.
“Max and the Not-So-Perfect Apology”
By Carl Harris Shuman
Illustrated by Rory Walker and Michael Garton Apples & Honey Press; ages 6-8
In this cartoon-style page-turner, readers meet Max, a young inventor who saves time in the morning by washing only one side of his face. When Max and his best friend Emma join forces for their Torah-class project about the biblical
story of Jacob and his brother Esau, Max is determined to win first prize. But when their teacher arranges different teams, jealousy and feelings of being left out threaten their friendship. It’s a perfect set-up for a fun-filled adventure when Max powers up his time-travel machine, this time without his co-pilot Jin Emma. He lands in Ancient Israel, where plenty of jokes between Max and Jacob, his son Joseph and Esau will have kids chuckling. There are meaningful lessons to be shared about forgiveness that reflect the themes of Yom Kippur.
“An
Etrog from Across the Sea”
By Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky | Illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen Kar-Ben; ages 4-10
Award-winning authors Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky team up in a charming Sukkot tale lavishly illustrated by Stacey Dressen. Set in the early 18th century, a Sephardic Jewish family travels by stagecoach from their country home to New York City to their grandfather Luis’ large house. Leah, her brother Aaron and their mother eagerly await Papa’s return from his travels from Corsica in time for Rosh Hashanah. In a postcard, Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog — the fragrant citrus fruit used during Sukkot. But when Papa doesn’t arrive, they fear something is wrong. Grandpapa Luis comforts Rachel with a beautiful silver etrog cup. But will her papa return for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?
To everyone’s relief, Papa returns home just in time, and the etrog finds its home in Leah’s silver cup. In an author’s note, families learn that the story is based on the life of Luis Moises Gomez (16601740), a prosperous merchant and trader from Britain who settled in New York.
“Mixed-Up Mooncakes”
By Christina Matula and Erica Lyons
Illustrated by Tracy Subisak
Quill-Tree Books; ages 4-8
A Jewish mother who lives in Hong Kong is one of the co-authors of a story featuring a young girl whose family celebrates two harvest holidays: Sukkot and the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Ruby shops separately with her Chinese Nainai and her Jewish Zayde for supplies for the holidays, but she craves some way to combine them. Like other recent books such as “Two New Years” and “The Very Best Sukkah,” the book illuminates connections between different traditions for readers who appreciate learning about the world and want to see contemporary models of Jewish family represented in children’s literature.
“Sammy Spider’s First Book of Jewish Holidays”
By
Sylvia A. Rouss
Illustrated by Katherine Janus Kahn Kar-Ben; ages 1-4
Possibly the most famous character in Jewish children’s literature, Sammy Spider is back in board-book form in an introductory text about the Jewish holiday cycle. Starting with the fall holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah, the book continues through Shavuot in spring, showing the friendly young arachnid who enjoys spinning his web in the home of a Jewish family.
“One
More Story, Tata!”
By Julie Salamon
Illustrated by Jill Weber Minerva Books; ages 4-8
In their newest collaboration, Julie Salamon and Jill Weber hit the mark with a charming, beautifully illustrated intergenerational story about a young girl named Ruby, her grandparents, and great grandmother Tata. Every weekend, when Ruby visits, Tata enchants her with stories imagined from her dreams. On Friday nights, they gather around the Shabbat table and light candles, share challah and enjoy a festive meal.
“Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman”
By Ann Diament Koffsky
Illustrated by Abigail Rajunov Little Bee Books; ages 4-8
Kids will cheer as they follow a rising young ping-pong star named Estee who aces all her competitions. Every Shabbat, Estee takes a break from the fast-paced game to go to synagogue and later, to enjoy the company of her family and friends. But when Estee qualifies for the National championship that will be held on a Saturday, she faces a hard choice. In the back pages of this action-packed, cartoon-style book, readers discover the real-life story of Estee Ackerman, who gave up the chance to compete in the national table tennis championship when she was just 11-years-old, because it was held on a Saturday. The following year, Estee won the gold medal at the nationals, gratified by the knowledge that she had honored her values and her religion. A
Penny Schwartz is a contributing writer for JTA and SDJJ.
Field Observers
by Galia Miller Sprung
Once a week, I fill up my water bottle, make sure my phone is fully charged, and drive two minutes (too hot to walk) to a small, air-conditioned command center in the community where I live in Israel. I exchange a few words with the person I’m relieving and settle into a comfortable desk chair facing computer screens with views from critical points around our perimeter. For two hours, my eyes will move from camera to camera to camera. I will zoom in and zoom out, scroll right and left, up and down. It’s on me to spot any anomaly, any approaching danger. I am an observer, a tatzpitanit
So is my granddaughter, who I’ll call N. The difference is that N, now 20 years old, is a soldier in the IDF, the Israel Defense Forces. She doesn’t have a two-hour shift; she has a two- year commitment. When she found out what her job would be in the army, I tried to figure out how to express that in English
I don’t know if this is considered more crucial than some of the work I had been doing, but it gives me direct involvement on the security front.
Nothing invoked the encompassing, immediate understanding that Israelis have of this word, even before Oct 7. Finally, one search brought me to the English site of the IDF where different army units and jobs are explained. They call the position a “Field Observer.” The word “field” adds some spice to the title, as does the official description: The Field Observers are in charge of reviewing the order of enemy forces and recognizing attempts of hostile entry and damage. The job includes “operating systems to discover and foil hostile factors along Israel’s borders and tracking the fence along the border by using technological devices.”
so I could tell the family in America. Nothing sounded right. Watcher and Observer — misleadingly passive. Intelligence Gatherer and Surveillance Operator — misleadingly clandestine.
Serious stuff. And there I am, alone, in the little room facing those screens, wondering if I’m up to the task. There are similar rooms in moshavim, kibbutzim and small communities all around Israel with volunteers doing the same
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work: observing their sectors. Many communities in Israel are situated near less-than-friendly villages and towns on previous and current armistice lines and borders. We need to be prepared. We saw what can happen if we are not.
My community is in close proximity to danger. Although rockets and missiles, whether from the north or the south, don’t usually reach us, we are a possible target for terrorist infiltrations. So, I focus on the orchards, the bushes, perimeter roads, fences. Are all the gates closed? Are the fences intact? Is there movement that shouldn’t be there? I scan and search. Observe.
N and the other conscientious, focused and determined soldiers sit in their bases, eyes directed at screens showing their sectors, the terrains fixed in their minds. Today, all of Israel acknowledges the magnitude of the intel provided by field observers. All of Israel knows that the field observers on the Gaza border understood what was going to happen on Oct. 7, and all of Israel knows that their superiors or those above them along the chain of command chose to ignore their professional, precise warnings. As a result, along with the 1,200 Israelis who were slaughtered or abducted to Gaza in the attack were 22 field observers. Of these, 15 were murdered on the base and seven kidnapped into Gaza. The IDF later rescued one of them. The body of another was discovered in Gaza. Now the word tatzpitanit is more than the plural of field observer. The word invokes horrific images of what happened to those intelligent, dedicated, female soldiers who fought to be taken seriously, but were ridiculed and ignored. It is a brutal reminder of the failure of those we trusted to protect us, of the knowledge that this horrendous attack and subsequent war could have been prevented.
This is the legacy that N stepped into when she began her army service only two weeks later. I, however, did not start my work as a tatzpitanit then. There
I focus on the orchards, the bushes, perimeter roads, fences. Are all the gates closed? Are the fences intact? Is there movement that shouldn’t be there? I scan and search.
were enough soldiers and volunteers to take on the assignment. I found other areas where I could contribute and give back. It helps us cope as the war continues. Recently, however, when I saw that my community was looking for more field observers to take over for soldiers released from reserve duty, I signed up for the training sessions. I don’t know if this is considered more crucial than some of the work I had been doing in agriculture or on army bases packing care packages for combat soldiers, but it gives me direct involvement on the security front. Although my other volunteer activities, which I haven’t given up, are usually hard work and fun, this would be intense, crucial — and boring? And it would be almost like doing reserve duty in the army. Being the soldier I never was.
That missed opportunity, not becoming a soldier in the IDF, is my biggest personal disappointment of my years in Israel. I was a few months shy of 22 when I made Aliya but was considered “too old” to enlist. “Besides, you don’t even know Hebrew yet,” I was told. “You, a college graduate, would be with 18-year-old girls out of high school.” True. But if I were a guy making Aliyah, I would have been grabbed up, inducted,
taught Hebrew, served and become part of mainstream Israel, including reserve duty stints, where every year until my forties, I would make Turkish coffee in a Finjan on a Bunsen burner outside my tent somewhere in Israel with my army buddies.
Instead, I joined a new border moshav, was issued an Uzi submachine gun and felt I, too, was making a significant contribution to Israel’s development. I got married and had a family and experienced the army vicariously through them, all of whom (except the youngest grandchild who is still in high school) were or are currently soldiers in the IDF.
Now I can somewhat identify with N as I strain my eyes to spot what doesn’t belong. What happens if I do? I will follow the protocol. I know the drill, but I keep the instructions in front of me.
We’re at war. We all do what we can. A
and editor. She lives with her husband in Tzufim.
Galia Miller Sprung moved to Israel from Palm Springs, California in 1970 to become a pioneer farmer and was a founding member of a moshav in the Jordan Rift Valley. Today she is a retired high school teacher, a writer
Adam Schiff: A proven voice & vote in Congress PRO-ISRAEL
In the Senate, he’ll continue to:
Support Israel's right to defend itself and eliminate Hamas
Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages
Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions
Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords
Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon
VOTE FOR ADAM SCHIFF
Hapoel Jerusalem Unveils New Soccer Jersey Honoring the Memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
by Jacob Gurvis, JTA
Hapoel Jerusalem F.C., a soccer club in Israel’s capital, has unveiled a new jersey honoring its late ardent fan Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was killed by Hamas while in captivity in Gaza.
The jersey, which the club says it will wear for its “upcoming cycle,” features Goldberg-Polin’s face on the front, surrounded by the phrases “May your memory be a revolution” and “a child of light, love and peace” in Hebrew. The “revolution” line is a reference to the eulogy delivered by Jon Polin, his father, at Goldberg-Polin’s funeral in Jerusalem.
Goldberg-Polin, 23, was one of six slain hostages Israeli troops discovered in Gaza, shortly after they had been killed by Hamas. Goldberg-Polin was taken hostage at the Nova music festival during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.
The California native became a Hapoel fan shortly after moving to Israel
as a child and quickly became a fixture in the stands, where he was frequently seen, shirtless, leading the crowd in chants. He was also a member of the Malha Brigade, the team’s official fan club.
Hapoel, which was founded as part of Israel’s labor movement in 1926 and is fan-owned, has a distinct left-leaning ideology and following, an identity that appeared to appeal to Goldberg-Polin. His mother Rachel once described the club as “a social justice club that happened to have been attached to a soccer team.”
Immediately following GoldbergPolin’s capture on Oct. 7, Hapoel was an active participant in calls for the release of the hostages. The team frequently used its social media channels to advocate for Goldberg-Polin’s release, and his face and name were common sights on signs and banners at home
games. The team also shared live coverage from Goldberg-Polin’s funeral.
Prior to the team’s first game on Aug. 31 — hours before news broke that Goldberg-Polin’s body had been found in Gaza — his parents, who had become global faces of the movement advocating for the hostages’ release, addressed the fans in a video message.
“Shalom, Hapoel fans and friends of Hersh,” Rachel Goldberg-Polin said in the video. “We, Hersh’s parents, thank you so much — for everything. Hapoel fans, players, owners, employees — everyone.”
Now, the team’s beloved “friend in the stands” will be proudly represented on players’ chests. A
Jacob Gurvis is a contributing writer for JTA and SDJJ.
Fans display banners for Hersh Goldberg-Polin at the Israeli Premier League match between Hapoel Hadera and Hapoel Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium, Aug. 31, 2024, in Jerusalem. (Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90)
Local Arts
BY EILEEN SONDAK
NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE
northcoastrep.org
North Coast Rep’s “A View From the Bridge,” Arthur Miller’s award-winning play about a family in 1950s Brooklyn, will complete its run Oct. 13.
Following on Oct. 23 is the San Diego premiere of “Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” an engaging comedy with fresh and amusing characters and a warm heart. Set in the 1970s, it revolves around a quirky family dealing with the rapidly-changing realities of their time. The show will play on through Nov. 17
CYGNET THEATRE
cygnettheatre.com
Cygnet Theatre is camping it up with “The Rocky Horror Show.” This zany production will amuse audiences with its wit-filled weirdness and its clever song and dance numbers through Nov. 2.
lajollaplayhouse.org
La Jolla Playhouse is featuring “Primary Trust” at its Mandell Weiss Forum through Oct. 20. This West Coast premiere of a highly-acclaimed play revolves around a bookstore worker who suddenly finds himself out of work. The heartwarming show is considered a perfect blend of emotion and humor.
theoldglobe.org
The Globe’s intimate White Theatre is delivering screams and laughter with “Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors.” Writers Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen have created a hilarious adventure, with Jean Van Helsing and a motley crew of vampire hunters engaged in a madcap race to stop Dracula. You can get in on this scarefest through Nov. 3.
NORTH COAST REP: Richard Baird, Lowell Byers (seated) and Coby Rogers in “A View from the Bridge.” Photo by Aaron Rumley.
LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATRE
lambsplayers.org
The Lamb’s Players is showing off one of Oscar Wilde’s most brilliant masterpieces, “The Importance of Being Earnest.” The endearing comedy features delightful hijinks and some of the cleverest dialogue in the English language. The show will be playing in Coronado through Nov. 10
BROADWAY SAN DIEGO
broadwaysd.com
Broadway San Diego is ready to bring “Kimberly Akimbo” to the Civic Theatre for a brief run Oct. 8-13. This marks the West Coast debut of this new musical which garnered several Tony Awards, including best musical.
“Spiderman” (a live concert) will arrive at the Balboa Theater on Oct. 22 and play through Oct. 24 for fans of the superhero.
THE ROUSTABOUTS THEATRE CO.
theroustabouts.org
The Roustabouts Theatre Co. is ready to unveil “Looped,” a play featuring local favorite Eileen Bowman and directed by Phil Johnson. The plot revolves around a recording session with the legendary and infamous star Tallulah Bankhead. The session becomes a side-splitting clash of wills between the star and an uptight film editor. The production will leave ‘em laughing Oct. 11-20
SAN DIEGO BALLET
sandiegoballet.org
San Diego Ballet moves into the Joan B. Kroc Theatre Oct. 11 and 12 with choreographer Javier Velasco’s contemporary twist on “Firebird & Mambomania.”
aquarium.ucsd.edu
Birch Aquarium’s newest exhibition, “Embodied Pacific: Ocean Unseen,” an intersection of art and science, opens Oct. 4. The aquarium has also announced a number of new experiences debuting this fall including “Riveropolis” and “Coral Classroom” which will be available through summer 2025. The aquarium is currently undergoing a major renovation, which will be completed next summer when a new “Living Seas” exhibit makes its debut.
THE ROUSTABOUTS THEATRE CO: Eileen Bowman and Alex Guzman star in “Looped.”
Photo by Daren Scott.
BROADWAY SAN DIEGO: “Kimberly Akimbo.”
The Scene
Jerusalem Zoo benefit luncheon. See page 12.
Iris Platnik – Solana Beach
Myron Flamenbaum – Encinitas
Dorothy Sollender – Carlsbad
Louis Towne – San Diego
Joel Segal – Spring Valley
David Waldman – Del Mar
Laurette Abrams – Danville, CA
Rene Sportes – Chula Vista
Marcia Berger – El Cajon
Silvia Waisbord – Coronado
Geoffrey Fox – San Diego
Milton Kodmur – La Jolla
Harvey Karten – Del Mar
Tsehaye Vener – Vista
Rachel Chasin – San Diego
Alan Berlin – San Diego
Morris Schwartzberg – San Clemente, CA
Jodi Levinson – San Diego
Jack Warsh – Poway
Sagle Gootel – Apple Valley, CA
Eugene Horowitz – San Diego
Roberta Kaplan – Carlsbad
Devorah Eisenbaum – La Mesa
Resa Workman – San Diego
Virginia Oserin – La Mesa
Penelope Kassar – Sycamore Township, OH
Nadine Finkel – Encinitas
Roger Fineberg – Apple Valley, CA
ISRAEL MORTUARY
Students ready to speak at the podium.
Hon. Victor Bianchini, Miriam Ahinoam, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Pam Price, Susan Davis, Nik Bandak.
Julie and Jay Sarno, Laura Applegate, Charlotte Rand.
PHOTOS: VINCENT ANDRUNAS.
Sesame Olive Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
October. Before 2023, October meant Sukkot, Halloween, leaves falling and temperatures dropping. It simply meant that autumn was upon us. And then October 7 happened, and October has taken on a new meaning. It means pain, it means community, and it means that on that horrific day, lives were taken, shattered and innocent civilians were taken hostage. One person inspires my recipe this month. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American-Israeli, was taken from the Nova music festival. Born in Berkeley, California, Hersh became everyone’s son, brother and friend, and the Jewish people cried when he was killed. It was shared that he loved travel, soccer and chocolate chip cookies. So, to celebrate and commemorate Hersh and every victim, family and person impacted by that dark day, I’m sharing a chocolate chip cookie recipe — a promise of sweetness, an act of love, hope and strength. May their memories be a blessing, may their memory be a revolution.
MAKES 36 TO 40 COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ cups brown sugar, lightly packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. ground cardamom
• ½ tsp. kosher salt
• 1 ½ cup chocolate chips
PREPARATION:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line two to three baking trays with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract.
3. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sesame seeds, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom and salt.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Scoop the dough using a heaping tablespoon and place, 1 ½ inches apart on a baking sheet. Transfer to the fridge and let rest for 10 minutes.
6. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking tray.
ASK MARNIE
by Marnie Macauley marniemacauley@gmail.com
The Gaza War & a Less Weighty Matter
My dear San Diegans:
On Oct. 7, 2023, 1,200 Israelis were brutalized, raped, murdered, abducted and then killed by the terrorist organization Hamas. The vast majority were civilians, including youngsters and senior citizens. This was the largest death toll of Israelis to date. Six more hostages were murdered on Aug. 30, including one Israeli-American. The fate of the other hostages is unknown.
I’ve no doubt that this great publication will discuss the details in other articles. Instead, today, more questions from my mailbag. We start with...
THE GAZA RELATIONSHIP WAR
Dear Marnie: The war in the Middle East is causing fights between my boyfriend and me.
We’ve been living together for a year. I’m a nurse, and he’s in law school. We are both Conservative Jews and, of course, very upset about the violence, but now we are violently disagreeing about how the Israelis are dealing with the war. Ashamed to admit, we’ve actually lost it once or twice, yelling and throwing the F-bomb. We’re at an impasse in our relationship and seriously pissed off. What to do? —Warring Couple in California
Marnie says: My dear, you have provided a fine example of the excellence of the old axiom “Never discuss religion or politics.” I can blah-blah you with the “two sides to every issue” defense, but
in relationships, if the other side vexes you down to your vinyl slingbacks, you’ve a problem. And this one doesn’t offer a lot of whacking options.
GETTING IT! Your personal strategy on this question:
Strategy 1. Ask yourself: Is the cliché deal-breaker wafting in your head?
Strategy 2. More to the point, get seriously underneath your true differences here. As vital as this is, you’re arguing about much more than this issue. Dig deep. Use a “Who are you really?” shovel.
a) What do your points of view say about each of you — your personalities your values?
b) How do the two of you generally hold up during serious disagreements?
c) How are the other aspects of your relationship? For example, are there issues of aggressiveness, control and communication? So, do you generally stand as “we” or “me”?
Strategy 3. When all is done, based upon your answers, you have several options:
a) If the differences in general are minimal and negotiable, quit this issue and agree to disagree respectfully.
b) If you avoid or accept all the negative stuff, and arguing and fundamental disagreements are a fact of your lives with each other, get professional help.
c) If nothing works, get out of there. You don’t “fit.” Seize your Spanx and go.
Strategic takeaway: Like trying to fit a size 6 shoe on a size 8 foot, most relationships flounder not because of rotten behavior — but because of a rotten fit! Lose the shoes!
A WEIGHTY PROBLEM
Dear Marnie: I’m uncomfortable with my body because I’m chubby! This makes it hard for me to relax when meeting people, especially men, although only a few have put me down for it. Sometimes, I even get noticed by men. It’s me. But I just don’t feel confident. How do I get over this? — NoStkyfig Marnie says: Now you see, your question caused me to splatter double chocolate Snickerdoodle crumbs all over my keyboard. I could suggest you lose a few...but hey, if that’s what you wanted, you’d be pumping away at Curvy Ladies, not writing an advice duenna who was called “chubbiest” in her youth. Darling, is there a female alive, apart from Burcu Birchik or SJP, who doesn’t think she could double for a dirigible? Assuming Goodyear hasn’t asked to advertise upon you, and you’re healthy, know that we women have been wronged right to our chocolate Tootsie Pop centers.
GETTING IT!
Your personal strategy on this question:
Strategy 1. Go (yes, now) and delete any image and torch any magazine that features size two, 15-year-old nymphets with legs like number two pencils, who are stabbing their way through your
precious self-view. Their evil presence is a perverse plot perpetrated by neutered cultured engineers who spent their days air-brushing cellulite from 9x12 glossies.
Strategy 2. More, run to or search an art museum and stare at the Masters: the Rubens–Renoir concept of feminine beauty, before the pill explosion, the nutsy diets, skinny shakes, Thighs-Be-Gone contraptions and bulimia wards.
Strategy 3. Since you can’t trust yourself, decide with your doctor what’s real about your size, then choose a course of action, if any, which will make you feel better about yourself.
Strategy 4. In addition to Netflix, watch “real” TV — the commercials. You’ll notice some of the stars of these hellacious nuisances, from underwear to that sudden new problem — “whole body stink” — actually sport rounded corners. Look at the legends: Monroe, Mansfield and Loren. Today, even celebs are once again killing it with a little zaftignicity. Think Mansfield’s daughter, Mariska Hargitay, Jessica Simpson, Sofia Vergara, Queen Latifah, Adele and at least one of those Kardashian people.
Strategic takeaway: Know this: Whether you are curvaceously Queenly or a Q-Tip, we’re each as magnificent and individual as hand-dipped Godivas. So, sweetie, grab a mirror and stand proud in all your celestial glory. If you’re enjoying an active life, and the guys are looking, your admirers have chosen you because they like you that way. Now it’s your turn. A
Marnie Macauley MS, Columbia University is the founder of Strategic Relationship Thinking: thesrtway.com.For in person sessions in Las Vegas, or speaking engagements, including marital, parental and work issues, you can reach marnie at marniemacauley@gmail.com or for Remote: Zoom. 702 258 9904
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