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Contents
AUGUST 2021 | AV • ELUL 5781 | EDUCATION ISSUE
PUBLISHERS
Mark Edelstein and Dr. Mark Moss EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Jacqueline Bull
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Nathalie Feingold
FEATURES 24 SDJA Sees Big Growth in Enrollment and Expands Campus 29 Soille Hebrew Day: Using the Tools of Jewish Heritage 31 From WWII Romania to Baja California —
The Impressiv History of Jewish-Owned Wellness Spa, Rancho La Puerta
COLUMNS 9 From the Editor | Spectacles and Spectators 12 Personal Development and Judaism | Redefining Superwoman 14 Religion | Don’t Quit Before You Start 16 Israeli Lifestyle | Meaning Something 18 Examined Life | It is the Best of Times, It is the Worst of Times 42 Advice | How We Jews Get Our Kids into College
IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Our Town 22 What’s Up Online 33 Food 34 Local Offerings 37 Diversions 40 News
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Eileen Sondak
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Donna D’Angelo
OFFICE MANAGER
Jonathan Ableson SENIOR CONSULTANT
Ronnie Weisberg
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Leorah Gavidor, Emily Gould, Judith Fein (Senior Travel Correspondent), Paul Ross (Senior Travel Photographer), Patricia Goldblatt, Pat Launer, Sharon Rosen Leib, Andrea Simantov, Marnie Macauley, Rabbi Jacob Rupp, Saul Levine, Rachael Eden, Sybil Kaplan. ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES
Jonathan Ableson | Senior Account Executive Alan Moss | Palm Springs EDITORIAL
editor@sdjewishjournal.com ADVERTISING
marke@sdjewishjournal.com CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS
jableson@sdjewishjournal.com ART DEPARTMENT
art@sdjewishjournal.com LISTINGS & CALENDAR
assistant@sdjewishjournal.com SDJJ is published monthly by San Diego Jewish Journal, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Send subscription requests to SDJJ, 7742 Herschel Ave., Suite H, La Jolla, CA 92037. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. The San Diego Jewish Journal is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements. The San Diego Jewish Journal reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters to the editor, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity. The Journal is not legally responsible for the accuracy of calendar or directory listings, nor is it responsible for possible postponements, cancellations or changes in venue. Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Journal become the physical property of the publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such material. All contents ©2021 by San Diego Jewish Journal. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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From the Editor JACQUELINE BULL
Spectacles and Spectators The 2021 San Diego Half Marathon was able to be held in-person this past July. The 2020 half marathon was my first long race that I ever completed, so it had a moment of ‘full-circle-reflection’ for me. I didn’t enter the race this year, but I had friends that did, so we got a group together as a cheer section. We had cowbells, pompoms and an abundance of energy on a hot Sunday morning. We were there chiefly to cheer on our friends, but we of course were more than happy to cheer on every racer that came past us. In some ways, this was my first real marathon experience because my year prior had been virtual. Marathons are truly fascinating people-watching. You see people of all sizes and ages (some racers into their 80s and 90s), groups with themed outfits and people running for causes or just themself. Running for the most part is about as individual of a sport as you can get. Most runners never keep track of their finishing rankings or who they were slower or faster than. They hold onto the numbers — their finishing time and their minutes/mile number. It is common parlance to talk about your personal best and that is the item you hold in your mind. Running is about you and your individual obstacle. You vs. air resistance. You vs. inertia. You vs. your foot blister. You vs. a big hill. And marathons are a showcase of people who do this thing by themselves, then coming together and doing it next to someone else, becoming one race, one collective experience. When racers grin widely, get a burst of speed, or even give a little hand wave to acknowledge our encouragement, we are all in on this thing together. The race becomes more than just the sum of its parts. The last member of our group passed us and we hooted and hollered and got their picture and then we all packed up to go back to our day. My walk home was along the race
route anyway, so I decided to walk parallel to them on the sidewalk. At my turn to head back to my apartment, I decided to finish the race with them and followed the route downtown and stood in the stands at the finish line to once again cheer them on. I wanted to see the look on their faces when they heard their name called and they stepped over the blue line. It looks like a mixture of joy and relief. I saw people immediately go into the stands and get hugs from their children and spouses. These races are tough. Long distance races, especially in the heat, can be brutal. You can see the difficulty of maintaining a jog for, in some cases, three and a half hours. The strain is visible in the gritted teeth, furrowed brow, flushed skin or labored pace. These races are tough. And clearly there is something inspiring about knowing something is hard, deciding to do it and then following through and actually doing it. This sort of drive is infectious and why I think people run them and why people spectate them. Seeing someone who is struggling and probably fighting the urge to give up every second, keep going gave all of downtown a buzz and an optimistic sheen. I walked past many people sitting down to lunch with their medals hanging from their necks regaling friends and family about their race and they all had a satisfied glow about them. I stayed and watched the countdown clock count up to my number from last year’s race. It had a different effect in big block red numbers than just the timer on my phone. I didn’t regret not entering this year, partly because I knew I would go again a different year, but also that I didn’t feel left out: I felt like I was a part of the experience with them. A
Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 9
Our Town by Linda Bennett and Emily Bartell The 28th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival was both a mix of online and live events, of which we were able to enjoy and attend. Some of the programming we particularly enjoyed was comedian Elon Gold, The 12th Annual Women of Valor and a live performance by Soulfarm at The Hive at Leichtag Commons in Encinitas. So happy to have been able to Zoom the North Coast Rep’s presentation of “Becoming Dr. Ruth,” starring Tovah Feldshuh. We learned so much about Dr. Ruth (Ruth K. Westsheimer) who lost her family in the Holocaust, emigrated to Israel, became a sniper for the Haganah and then continued on to celebrity status as Dr. Ruth. A truly remarkable woman and a wonderful performance by Ms. Feldshuh. Mazel Tov to Melissa Solomon & Michael Parkes, on their marriage! Married on June 26 at Southwestern Yacht Club, proud mom, Beth Solomon looked on with pride. Melissa’s dad is Jeff Solomon. How sweet that the bride and groom share the same birthdate.
Leo and Madeline, looked on with pride with Aunt Aliza Schnayer, who flew in from San Francisco. Mazel Tov to Adam Ressel on becoming a Bar Mitzvah at Temple Emanu El on June 19. Adam’s mom, Shari Ressel along with grandma Judy and Uncle Howard (who flew from New York), were beaming with pride. Mazel Tov to Steven & Tracy Dunst on the birth of their first child, Olivia. Born in LA on June 26, Olivia’s grandparents are Giselle (Ginger Geist) & Sol Dunst and Jan & Robert Lansing. Thrilled great‑grandmother is Nancy Geist.
CELEBRATING
Wedding Anniversaries with infinite love & happiness, Mazel Tov to… Ilene & Robert Gruder, 64 years.
Mazel Tov to Bryan Monroe, son of Sandy & Pam (Rossman) Monroe, on his engagement to Julie Athas of Madison, WI. Bryan is Vice President of Localization Production at Disney+ TV and Julie is Asset Operations Specialist at Apple TV+. Both reside in Studio City and a small Spring 2022 wedding is being planned in Napa.
Anne & Ron Simon, 61 years.
Mazel Tov to Rabbi Rebecca Rosenthal & Adam Arenson on their son, Simon becoming a Bar Mitzvah in New York City on May 29. Younger siblings,
Francine & Phil Ginsburg, 50 years.
10 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM July 2021
Ann & Bennett Weinbaum, 61 years. Ruth & Marty Weiss, 59 years. Silvia & Paul Esrig, 58 years. Shelley & Paul Michelson, 54 years. Barbara & Norman Ratner, 52 years. Linda & Larry Okman, 51 years. Joan & Steven Gross, 50 years. Margaret & Paul Meyer, 50 years.
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND JUDAISM
THIS WAY TO EDEN by Rachel Eden | rachel.s.eden@gmail.com
Redefining Superwoman I used to wear my Superwoman cape with a sweet smile and can-do attitude. What you and everyone else thought mattered dearly to me. Hosting, teaching, working, parenting and general to-do list crushing weren’t just important–they were urgent. The weight of the world must have been on my shoulders because I felt every crushing pound. I considered any resource directed toward myself to be an indulgence and slowing down was simply not an option. In addition to my cape, I wore my exhaustion and busyness as badges of honor. I was a doer. I was a leader. I was buried. Ambitious worker bees may relate. Judging my worth by achievement alone, I felt really good when I performed well and pretty low when I didn’t. I wasn’t slowing down long enough to ask myself important questions like: Who do I want to be? Where do I want to be in three years? What if I only take on projects to serve my future vision? Instead, my direction was outside-in: What needed to be done? How quickly could I do it well? My affinity for leadership up until that point led me to creating quick and dirty goals, forcing opportunities open and pounding on doors. I sensed I was trying too hard, but I didn’t think there was a different option. The schism between the image I tried to project and how I internally felt grew wider by the day. But when running quickly, who notices the scenery of our inner worlds? I certainly didn’t catch the counter-intuitive truths that slowing down would allow me to speed up and enlisting support would only make me stronger. Fatigue and confusion forced
12 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
me to do what I was avoiding for so long. I had to rip up the to-do lists, pause long enough for quiet introspection and consider redefining my rules for living. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (Yitro), helped him slow down so he could focus solely on his zones of genius. With Jethro’s support, Moses set up a court system and delegated power to the judges. A tiered legal process distinguished between minor and major cases to appropriated manpower. This freed Moses up to lead more powerfully, but it required an overhaul in his approach to leadership. He needed his father-in-law to disrupt the status quo and offer a new perspective. Moses needed to take time for auditing what was and what was not working and then make the necessary adjustments. He also needed to understand where he was most valuable. Our lives begin to feel tedious and repetitive when we don’t carve out time for a similar audit — preferably with expert support. Lopsided living with an emphasis on external achievement over internal process diminishes our relationship with ourselves (let alone with others). We tend to over-develop our appreciation for what we least control: results. The two areas we can actually shape are dreaming big and the process to access those dreams. The dream sets the direction; it’s the compass. The process is the journey; it’s the map. For Moses, dreaming meant understanding his own zone of genius as the broad vision for his leadership. We too need that astute vision. Dreaming up the bold vision and
identifying it as our North Star is key. In Cameron Herold’s book, Vivid Vision, he outlines the importance of clearly defining B.H.A.G. (big, hairy, audacious goals). As we dream of what we want to accomplish if we weren’t held back by limitation, we introduce ourselves to the people we need to become. Whether you’re 28 or 82, there is no magic bullet for extraordinary living. Religion isn’t foolproof or even evil-proof. Financial success is often distracting from personal happiness. Even desire to leave a legacy can pull us in a direction of public approval instead of self-groundedness and certainty. What we need is an unpacked schedule and some white space that allows us to reflect, dream, assess and wonder. A space where we don’t have to be in “action mode”. We get to just be. Our minds are the greatest of deceivers when we aren’t ready for this truth. But, for those of you who are ready, hear this: You are a powerful co-creator of your life. Your capabilities are malleable and your identity has the power to rise in any arena so long as you’re still breathing. Instead of emulating an illusory Superwoman, I use my old view of her as a cautionary tale to avoid disintegration. Having redefined Superwoman, my own dreams and process have evolved dramatically. I still wear my Superwoman cape, but I no longer hold up the weight of the world. Instead, I channel all of my energy into dreaming big, enlisting support so I can dream even bigger and falling in love with the process that was created in service of those dreams. A
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RELIGION
POST-POLITICAL by Rabbi Jacob Rupp | rabbirupp@gmail.com
Don’t Quit Before You Start I had a heart breaking conversation on Shabbat. Our lovely hostess waxed nostalgic about her love of cars. Of course, the conversation started with a statement about my car. It’s one of the loud, bright yellow BMWs in our neighborhood, and I have a habit of driving it aggressively. The hostess mentioned, almost listlessly, “well, I’ll never have one of those...so might as well just spend as little money as possible on my car.” Slow down — what? Now I totally understand if you’re not a car person. I totally get if you feel your money is better spent in other places. But if you care about cars — like this woman, why would you ever make a statement like “I’ll never have one of those?” This kills me. Our words matter. Our vision matters. When we just accept a “giving up” attitude on things that matter, not only do we push what we want further out, but we also create rigidity around our goals that should we start taking action in that direction, we have to talk ourselves out of all of the negative stuff we’ve told ourselves. A simple example. I used to tell myself, “I’m bad at math.” So guess who, for the longest time, didn’t want to look at any numbers? And guess what the outcome of that was?! Being bad at math became a part of my identity which actually held me back in another area I care about: running a lucrative business.
14 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
And because I had this belief, I made it doubly hard to do anything about it because not only did I have to improve my math skills, I had to first undo the belief that it wasn’t going to work anyway. I spoke to a client of mine who ran multiple highly profitable businesses. I mentioned my belief that “I am bad at math.” He quickly said, “naturally, I am too — but I hire people who help me understand it.” Boom. Here all along I couldn’t be a business person because I was bad at math. And in a moment I saw for those who don’t hold that belief, even if it’s technically true, don’t see it as a limitation. As soon as I learned this principle, I started to really watch what I say. I had to stop saying “I’m bad at math,” or “I’m fat” or “I hate myself.” Not because it changed anything physically or factually about my whole identity. If “I’m fat” even if I lose weight — I wont keep it off because my identity is “I’m fat.” So to be honest, even if you’re no closer to where you want to be — never say self defeating things about yourself. It’s as simple as starting to watch what you say about yourself, who you are and where you want to go. This is the same as envisioning your future. Sure, you might not know how you’re going to buy that $30 million property on the coast of Santa Barbara or the eight figure business you want to
build. But start in the vision. See it. Think of it. Make it possible for you. I’ll be honest — I am really happy to have built a great coaching business over a short period of time and as such people see me as having it “figured out.” I don’t. I haven’t. I am consistently, passionately heading towards the horizon — the next step, the next goal. I understand benchmarks won’t make me happy. But I am hungry to grow. As such, there are all kinds of large goals that I have no idea how I am going to reach. But now I know the secret. I don’t know how, but I can focus on what. I can speak these ideas out. I can act as if I am moving in that direction. And it attracts the allies, support system, coaches and mentors that will make the vision possible. Because if you don’t have belief, you have literally nothing to contribute to the team that wants to help you realize your dreams. Today, become the person who speaks as if what you want is possible. How you get there will materialize, or it won’t. But knowing who you are and knowing what you want are things you can have right now. A
“A GLITTERING, FAST STEPPING EXTRAVAGANZA” – NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Book Bookby byHarvey HarveyFierstein Fierstein••Lyrics Lyricsand andMusic Musicby byJerry JerryHerman Herman
Winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical SEPTEMBER 10 – OCTOBER 24 Tickets: 619.337.1525 www.cygnettheatre.org Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 15
ISRAELI LIFESTYLE
LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE by Andrea Simantov | andreasimantov@gmail.com
Meaning Something Those of us of a certain generation remember the report cards: beige with black lines which were issued in a time when the teacher could do no wrong, when children were seen and not heard, when trick-or-treating was safe, when sledding on tree-studded hills was riskfree and asking a beat-cop to walk you home was good and wholesome and as unremarkable as the brother-sister team of Dick & Jane. Reliable days. An era when being called Baby Boomer seemed cutting-edge and cool. Daddy went to work, Mommy stayed home, little girls in crinoline skirts sat on Art Linkletter’s lap and agreed to marry him. The audience applauded. Boys were taught to protect, while their sisters grew up looking for men who would keep them protected, clothed and fed. We girls brushed our hair 100 strokes, pressed back jagged cuticles, crossed our legs at the ankles and aspired to be findable — by the better boys, more promising boys. Bad girls wore eyeliner and teased their hair with rattail combs. Bad boys had swagger and smoked. Aspiring to be a good/findable girl, I daydreamed with my best friend, Vicky, sharing picnics under willow trees that abutted the busy highway near our modest post-WWII neighborhood. Our fantasies were brazen for the day! Of course we would both marry and have large families. But I planned to go to law school and become an advocate for the downtrodden, forgotten, underrepresented. Or be an actress. Or both. At the age of eleven, ‘both’ seemed
16 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
doable. Vicky would be a more serious wife and mother who planned on writing Broadway musicals and direct choirs between driving carpool and wall-papering her living room. We were progressive, precocious and adorable. Days were longer then. Each season was a lifetime and switching wardrobes from winter wools to summer linens made sense. A summer away at camp produced skills and experiences that altered my belief-trajectory. First romance, subsequent heartbreak and the discovery of “resilience” would set the tone for future relationships and expectations. Eventually, I neglected the aforementioned cuticles and allowed my hair to grow natural and wild with an occasional messy braid added to denote ethnicity. The previously clear rules that shaped my childhood rapidly blurred and memories of sweet picnics silently eroded, replaced by a cacophony called The Sixties. Jewish identity began to take root in my late teens. I’d discovered I.J. Singer, Bernard Malamud, Leon Uris, Meyer Levin, Anne (and Leo!) Frank. In my
college library, I had been looking for audition monologues from obscure oneact plays of the 1950’s when I chanced upon a thin volume that recorded a two-day roundup of Parisian Jews in July of 1942. Nearly 13,000 regular citizens were targeted for deportation to death camps by former friends and neighbors in the Velodrome d’Hiver (Winter Sports Stadium). I felt burdened by this discovery and desperately wanted to unread, unsee, uncare and disconnect burgeoning passion, rage and impotence. I wanted my ignorance back, but now I knew too much. It was a tipping point, a final straw that both robbed me and returned a piece of forgotten childhood; that youthful affinity for the downtrodden. My efforts continues on page 20 >>
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EXAMINED LIFE
OUR EMOTIONAL FOOTPRINT
by Saul Levine, M.D., Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry at UCSD |
slevine@ucsd.edu
It is the Best of Times, It is the Worst of Times You are likely familiar with the title words of this column, which were ‘borrowed’ and modified (with apologies) from the author Charles Dickens. Dickens began his 1859 masterpiece “A Tale of Two Cities” with the memorable poetic words, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” He continued, elegantly and insightfully, “...it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Dickens was referring to the psychological and social moods prevalent in those times long ago and far away. He was in essence describing the quintessentially existential dilemmas of sentient human beings: The simultaneous yet contradictory states of being, when there is unease, fear and despair, on the one hand, yet optimism and idealism on the other. But if we fast forward to 2021, we find that we are experiencing these same existential dilemmas today, when we are still searching for meaning to our lives.
“The Worst of Times”:
Many people feel exhausted by the pandemic we’ve been enduring, and while there has been significant progress, many citizens have shunned inoculation due to fear, conspiracy theories or mistrust of government infringement on civil liberties. The pandemic imposed economic hardships on citizens everywhere and
18 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
financial inequities have worsened, as oligarchs thrive while many more impoverished people struggle. Global warming is a ‘clear and present danger’ to humanity. Icebergs and shelves are melting, sea levels rising and coastal communities around the world may be flooded. Wildfires are taking their toll of human lives, animal habitats, lush rain forests and fertile acreage. High temperatures, droughts and famine are making living impossible in arid areas. Hurricanes, tornados, typhoons and cyclones vent their destructive furies on all continents. There is increased social and political unrest, politics have become more rancorous and polarized. Authoritarian political movements and hatred of “the other” (xenophobia) abound. AntiSemitism often rears its ugly head, as are hate crimes against Black people and Asian people. Extremist members of families, tribes and nations bear grievances and hatreds against others, and wars are waged in the name of G-d, an evil paradox. The sad fact is that few of us are immune to harboring our own ingrained prejudices.
“The Best of Times”:
As I was writing the above pessimistic discourse about our species, my own mood was dour, and I took a break to watch the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors on television. I watched moving tributes to the talented Dick Van Dyke, the inspiring singer-activist Joan Baez, the supreme
dancer, choreographer, actor, director Debbie Allen, the Country and Western megastar Garth Brooks and the exquisite violinist and humanitarian Midori. My mood brightened, as did my outlook about our future. This transformation of perspective happens when we are moved or inspired by the creative talents of other human beings. We have in our midst some of the greatest minds, bodies and souls of individuals who have walked the face of this Earth. We can look to the brilliant scientists who created the vaccines, the dedicated clinicians who cared for the sick and administered the “jabs” and the courageous leadership of those who facilitated the vaccine roll-outs. We are fortunate to witness photographs from space, human-designed architectural wonders and feats of engineering, uplifting works of art and music and profound and evocative poetry and literature. We have all been moved by — and we ourselves have performed — wondrous acts of decency, kindness, caring, generosity, respect, tolerance and other expressions of benevolence and love. The evolutionary psychologist Steven Pinker, author of “The Better Angels of Our Nature,” and other scientists have shown that human beings have made remarkable progress in many social spheres over the millennia. These include the reduction or eradication of some major diseases, the education of many more children, the diminution continues on page 20 >>
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Examined Life continued
Israeli Lifestyle continued
of profound poverty, more equitable opportunities for women and yes, even less violence. There are also encouraging studies which show that we can overcome our destructive impulses: Aggressive children can be taught to be peaceable, selfish youngsters can learn to share and cooperate, bitter enemies can learn to feel empathy for each other, racist attitudes and acts can be significantly lessened through psychological and educational interventions, and previous vengeful and hateful tribalism can be supplanted by harmonious living. If some of you are saying that these are lofty fantasies, I remind you that these are actual examples of positive human endeavors in research studies and in life itself. We have the intellect and the abilities but, “Do we have the Will?” A
subsequently exploded into a nearcompulsive desire to bring comfort to Survivors of the Nazi death camps as well as poor, now-elderly Jews who were isolated in once-vibrant areas of the Bronx and Brooklyn. My father, of blessed memory, was my Rebbe, my guru. He led the way by having dedicated his life to protecting Jews who were unable to protect themselves. He walked them to the synagogue and escorted them home. He took them to the corner bodega for milk, bread and cheese. He occasionally helped them move, and when they died, they were buried as Jews. My father’s endeavors had embarrassed me in the past. I now hungered to be half the (wo)man he was. Because seasons seem shorter now, I don’t waste time emptying or filling the sweater drawer. Winter will be here tomorrow, summer was this morning
and calendar pages flip at breakneck speed. Far more important than the day, season or year is what we do with our days, seasons and years. If the truths and aspirations that shape our lives at the age of nine still hold sway as we celebrate 90, cuticles and skirt length don’t matter all that much. What remains as a legacy are values we choose to live by and, in time, demonstrate through action — and interactions — with others. A
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Summer Fun All Year Round How the Pandemic Revolutionized our Religious School As a Religious School Director, I’ve always tried to figure out that magical secret of summer camp. Children who have returned from Jewish summer camp always seem to have a sparkle in their eyes as they pour forth camp experiences — being outdoors, making Jewish friends, feeling loved by campers and counselors, having fun, experiencing meaning, and reveling in the freedom to be themselves. While at camp, children want to stay forever and when it’s over they miss it all year long. Jewish education professionals in America have long discussed how to transfer camp experiences and feelings into Religious School programming. In other words: how can we make Jewish education feel more like camp? The
20 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
ultimate goal is to recreate that magic in classrooms all year long. When the pandemic prevented us from opening school in our normal setting, we took this challenge as an opportunity for growth. In the span of a month, our brand-new Kef B’Yachad program was born! We decided to completely recreate our Spiritual Education program into an outdoor camp. Luckily, there was a park in the area that was up for the task. Shortly thereafter, we opened our first day of Kef B’Yachad (meaning “Fun Together” in Hebrew). We have been at the park each week since, and it just keeps getting better. Children laugh and play while learning about Judaism under a vast, sunny sky. Hebrew is joyously practiced amongst
gorgeous trees while birds sing above them. During a year of isolation, this sight often brings tears to my eyes. What first was a challenge has since become a fast staple in our synagogue community. We have learned that students actually find it easier to learn and make friends in this setting compared to traditional classrooms. And, almost every Sunday, I hear the same five-star review: “Mom do I have to come home already?” Temple Solel would like to invite K-6th graders in the San Diego community to join our weekly adventures during the 2021/2022 year! If you are interested in learning more about Kef B’Yachad, please contact Ellen Fox at efox@templesolel.net.
OHR SHALOM SYNAGOGUE
Religious School
Hebrew • Tradition • History • Prayer Ages 5-13 Years Old Our Religious School prides itself on a multi-grade, cooporative environment where all children feel welcome.
We are a unique Synagogue offering a rich cultural blend of Conservative Judaism with a diverse international flavor.
Teachers emphasize individual strengths. Judaism & Hebrew are taught through music, storytelling, art and drama.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!
email principal@ohrshalom.org School Starts September 12, 2021 SCOTT MELTZER, Rabbi LYNN MENDELSOHN, President MARCIA TATZ WOLLNER, Religious School Principal GILLIAN ARGOFF-TRESEDER, Executive Director
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Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 21
WHAT’S UP
Online
How Fleischmann’s Yeast Built the Jewish Catskills Many home cooks this past year, in an Instagram-inspired spirit, upped their challah-baking game with new braiding patterns, interesting flavors and vibrant colors. Yet it was a more standard ingredient that unwittingly connected many to their roots. If you used Fleischmann’s yeast for your challah, you leavened your dough with the essence of American Jewry. The Fleischmann family’s story echoes the experience of many other immigrant Jews. They built on their experience from Europe, using it to fully integrate into American society. Without routines to hinder them,
innovative business practices brought them success. Finally, they used their power to benefit their community.
Hungarian brothers Charles and Max Fleischmann were part of the mid-19th-century wave of Central European Jews arriving in America. They settled in Cincinnati where they became yeast manufacturers in 1868. Charles had learned the process in Prague and Vienna, eventually overseeing production on a noble’s estate. The origin tale of Charles bringing a single vial of pure yeast to America is likely fabrication, but he probably did see America’s poorquality baked goods as a business opportunity. CONTINUE READING AT SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM
For 35 Years, This Mother-Daughter Duo Has Run a Radio Show on Ladino and Sephardic Jewish Culture From Madrid Matilde Gini de Barnatán and her daughter Viviana Rajel Barnatán didn’t set out to make Jewish history in Spain. In the 1960s and ’70s, Matilde, now 85, established herself in Argentina as a prominent researcher, teacher and scholar of the history of Sephardic culture and the Spanish Inquisition in Ibero-America. In April 1986, as Israel was establishing its diplomatic relations with Spain, so did the Spanish government with its Jewish ancestry. Through its state-owned public radio service, the country set out to develop a cultural project in the form of a radio show to reintroduce Ladino — or Judeo-Spanish, an endangered Romance language spoken in the Sephardic Jewish Diaspora — as a vital piece of Spanish heritage. Hence was born “Emisión Sefarad” (or “Sepharad Broadcast”), a weekly
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radio show available online and on shortwaves in Judeo-Spanish that broadcasts every Sunday on the Spanish National Radio’s overseas service. April marked 35 years of the program, which has aired uninterrupted since its launch. “It is against this background that the 35th anniversary of the show must be understood, as the Spanish public radio’s effort to promote the mutual knowledge between Jews and Spaniards and also encourage integration and intercultural
dialogue,” Luis Manuel Fernández, director of foreign languages at the Spanish National Radio, wrote in an email to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “It is about adding value to what binds both groups of people through the culture they share.” CONTINUE READING AT SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM
Find folk art, craft and design around every corner in the transformed
Mingei
Grand Reopening September 3, 2021
Mingei International Museum
Friday, September 3 through Monday, September 6 the Museum will be free for all as a gift to San Diego. Learn more at mingei.org/transformation.
Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 23
COVER FEATURE
SDJA Sees Big Growth in Enrollment and Expands Campus by Jacqueline Bull
“ There is the Jewish value of educating a child according to their way and kids are really interested in different kinds of things and arrive at education from different angles.”
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Z
vi Weiss became the new Head of School for San Diego Jewish Academy (SDJA) in 2020. This eventful and challenging year put pressure on the students, the parents and the staff and how they rose to the occasion left Zvi impressed. It gave him a sense of the commitment everyone had to the school and showed the community’s character as a whole. Not only did the school manage to adapt and survive, but for the following school year they have grown by 100 new students. One of the contributing factors in that growth is the continuation of their Open Door tuition program. This program reduces the cost of tuition for new kindergartners and ninth graders coming into the school and locks in that price for four years. The program was expanded to help middle-income families also take advantage of the program. “It’s been a really wonderful thing for our families and families who felt that SDJA or any independent school
education was cost-prohibitive but are suddenly finding that they can make it work for them. And I’ve heard from so many families how grateful they are for our making their education accessible. It’s been a G-dsend. It enlarged the demographic of middle-income families [at the school],” Zvi said.
Looking through a wellness lens
SDJA acted quickly and was able to bring everyone back on campus within a month of the school year. “One of the things that drove our decision to really apply for waivers and do everything we could was children’s wellbeing because kids do need to interact with other children and their teachers in normal ways. And it’s been really difficult for families who have been stuck on Zoom this whole time,” Zvi said. Well-being has been a big focus of the school’s staff and something Zvi as a thought leader has put emphasis on. “Years ago there was a healthy habits initiative that was started at SDJA that really started to frame the way we looked at the whole child as far as education is concerned. And really look at their wellness — whether it is their emotional wellness, learning skills for financial wellness, their physical wellness and even things like sustainability and wellness of the planet. Healthy habits has kind of evolved into our wellness initiative which we are really focusing on right now. We are really focused on everything we do at SDJA on the wellness of children — on their mental health, on their overall health,” he said. They have programming around being outside in the academy’s garden, being physically active with things like yoga and are even starting a food program to teach healthy eating. And furthermore, they are being mindful of the workload of such an academically rigorous school. “When we are giving homework, making sure that it is something continues on next page >>
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SDJA Campus continued meaningful and really truly helps the students learn something or reinforce something in a way that is meaningful and not just giving homework because we want to give homework.” “And we also realize as a top-tier academic institution there is a point where we over stress out kids, we start getting diminishing returns. We need to keep that wellness lens alive for everything that we do so that our students feel good about themselves, have a positive identity, have positive self worth... And as a Jewish school, obviously all of this comes from a place of Jewish values. We know the importance of learning from a Jewish perspective. We are investing a lot in the coming years in that notion of teaching students how to learn for the sake of learning and loving learning. We are using a lot of methodologies that are related to traditional Jewish ways of learning, to Havruta the pedagogy of partnership and other things to build on our incredibly successful academic program already.”
New developments on campus
Set to open in early 2022, the campus is adding a missing piece they waited for over 20 years to have: a state-of-the art, 350-seat performing arts auditorium. “We want those theater kids at our school to feel like they have a home and they are important too,” Zvi said. “There is the Jewish value of educating a child according to their way and kids are really interested in different kinds of things and arrive at education from different angles, so being able to provide those additional angles I think is going to make a big difference for our students and their experience.” More than just the facility, the ability to have performing arts co-curriculars is helping give students the “years of exploration” where they can try many different things to find their spark while in the safety of the school environment. Jason Edelstein, the school’s public relations consultant, echoed Zvi’s sentiments, “The academy has always prided itself on that any student can
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really jump in and try anything and have any opportunity. We don’t only emphasize the small class sizes for the obvious reasons, but the bigger picture really means if a student wants to try out for a sport, try out for theater, whatever it might be, they can do it at this school. And I think the performing arts center, beyond being a beautiful building... it reflects the value that Zvi started to speak to that anyone in anyway that they express themselves and learn from themselves, at SDJA they can do it and I think that’s a big part of the school.” The next new addition is making a permanent separate space for their Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking (CIET). This new home for the CIET will provide spaces for tinkering, fleshing out concepts and even office spaces for the students to create pitches for their ideas. All of these efforts to nurture the student’s interests that they will carry with them past graduation into adulthood speak to the level of trust and respect they built with their students.
“We take our students seriously from the time they are in preschool. Their voices matter. We listen to them. We don’t treat them like they are babies. We treat them like humans who are growing and evolving and we talk to them that way and we listen to them so that they feel valued,” Zvi said. Zvi may only be heading into his second year as Head of School, but is totally enmeshed in the school’s values and holds all the responsibilities and all the pride that comes with it. He is proud to tell that they are adding an alumni board to nurture the life-long relationships many of the students have made at SDJA. And he cited that they are seeing about 20% of their current students have at least one parent that was a former student. In our interview, I said I couldn’t imagine a better compliment than a former student coming back to school with their own children. “That’s how I feel,” he said. A
School Days at the J!
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Join us at Club J! We provide a high quality, inclusive program that cultivates a welcoming and respectful environment for all. Our specialty enrichment classes prioritize stealth learning, safe socialization, self-esteem, and above all, FUN!
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lfjcc.org/clubj Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla Gary & Jerri-Ann Jacobs Youth Endowment Fund | Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Endowment Fund
Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 27
••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••••••••••••
Golfers, Tennis & Pickle Ball Players, and Spa Lovers
•••••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••••••
Seacrest Foundation and Guardians of San Diego typically have a summer Golf, Tennis, Pickleball & Spa Day. Due to current safety concerns, we are postponing our 2021 event and planning an extra special, in-person Take a Swing for Seniors event for 2022. We hope you will be there with us. We promise it will be a fantastic day! Presenting sponsor:
William Gumpert Foundation
The deRose Foundation
Lisa & Gary Levine Dr. Karen Helrich & Dr. Bertram Edelstein
The Mayer-Roberts Family
Kathy & Marshall Wax
Ellen & Stuart Naliboff
Eric Weitzen
Special thanks to
Photos are from past “Take a Swing for Seniors” events.
This event raises funds for Seacrest Village residents in need. If you would like to make a gift to help care for those who may have nowhere else to turn, we would greatly appreciate your support.
Visit SeacrestFoundation.org and click “Give Now”.
••••••••••••••••••••
KEEP ON
Swingin’
Seacrest Foundation would like to thank the above generous contributors for their “Take a Swing for Seniors 2021” gift. Their ongoing support helps to change the future for Seacrest Village residents in need.
FEATURE
Soille Hebrew Day: Using the Tools of Jewish Heritage by Nathalie Feingold Rabbi Simcha Weiser, the Head of Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, believes that it’s more important than ever for children to feel connected to one another and to the community at large. Although Hebrew Day was able to operate in person last year, his main concern is that the extended period of societal isolation exacerbated an already existing trend within the Jewish community. Rabbi Simcha pointed to a recent national Pew Research Study that reported that 49% of Orthodox Jews felt little or nothing in common with Reform-affiliated Jews and 60% of Reform-affiliated Jews felt little or nothing in common with Orthodox Jews. “That’s the opposite of what we want to see as a unified Jewish people where we care about one another. I’m extremely proud of the fact that in the Hebrew Day School, all these constituencies are well
represented in our family makeup and our diversity,” Rabbi explained. “I can’t imagine a kid in Hebrew day — be he or she Orthodox or Reform, feeling as though they don’t have a lot in common. They grow up together, they’re in a classroom together, they’re studying Torah together, they’re discussing Jewish ideas together and you see these lifelong friendships form.” Rabbi Simcha feels an increased urgency to ensure that all denominations of Judaism feel connected and unified. He is prioritizing meaningful interpersonal connections as soon as the school year officially begins. “I’m really looking forward to the first day of school. We’re working pretty hard here to ensure that it’s going to be healthy and safe because there are still lingering concerns on the Covid front. But my biggest concern of all is getting
kids to really reconnect — reconnect with teachers, reconnect amongst themselves and to build healthy, good connections to the world around them.” Rabbi Simcha also wants to start the school year with open communication amongst the students, parents and the school by addressing any residual anxieties that students may be facing. “As successful as we were in holding classes in person last year, we want to robustly address the aftereffects of the Covid isolation on our students,” Rabbi Simcha continued. “We want to do it on two basic levels. One is to watch for any academic gaps that may have occurred so we can fill them in. Then, probably most importantly emerging from Covid, is addressing the social, emotional needs of the kids to get them feeling reconnected continues on page next page >>
Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 29
Soille Hebrew Day continued with their teachers and reconnected with one another,” he said. Strengthening connections within the Jewish community has always been a priority at the school. “I’m very proud of the fact that Hebrew Day is a school that brings Jewish families together, people who otherwise could have lived in San Diego for two generations and never bumped into each other, become lifelong friends. They share the joy in raising their kids side-by-side with other families who come from a different place of origin,” he explained. “They connect through their kids’ eyes of seeing the world as a connected, caring place and then parents become more connected with one another, families become more connected.” Hebrew Day’s Jewish values also emphasize the importance of students being there for one another and helping to shape a more caring, empathetic future. “On a profound level, the Jewish future is exciting and wonderful, and we’re going to entrust that heritage and that legacy to the children to carry it forward. It’s a very optimistic and empowering way for children to look at themselves,” Rabbi Simcha continued. “They can look at what they see as the goodness of society and say: ‘we’re going to have our turn to also perpetuate schools where people care about one another, where people act kindly to one another, where people show real empathy if someone is facing a difficulty.’ Just knowing that we care about one another gives us much more confidence that we’re going to make it through together.” He was very proud to see that the students who were learning in the classroom did everything they could to make the students who chose to learn remotely feel as included as possible. And they even chipped in to help students learning remotely at other schools with a Tzedakah program where Hebrew Day’s youngest students donated small change every day.
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“On a profound level, the Jewish future is exciting and wonderful, and we’re going to entrust that heritage and that legacy to the children to carry it forward. It’s a very optimistic and empowering way for children to look at themselves.”
“We were able to buy lap desks for children who were homeless and had to do homework in the back of a car. A thank-you note came back to us anonymously, so the students were able to understand that, not just in theory they’re helping somebody else, but in reality they’re helping somebody else.” “There’s a real kid who, thanks to the children giving Tzedakah, can sit and complete their homework and know that other kids care about their success,” Rabbi Simcha said. “It’s really important for them to understand that, even though they’re still children, they have an impact on the world around them. The issues covered on the front page of the newspaper; immigration, homelessness, disruption, people losing their jobs. It’s not just, ‘oh that’s terrible.’ It’s, ‘what can I do about that, how can I make a difference?’” Rabbi said. Having this mindset is a way to leverage Jewish teaching and demonstrate how it enriches their lives. Rabbi Simcha has been in leadership at Hebrew Day for 40 years and during that span, he has been able to see the lessons that he instilled propagate and further the Jewish legacy over generations. “The exciting thing about being a Jewish educator for a long time is seeing how children take to heart the lessons of Judaism and put them into
practice in their own lives.” Rabbi Simcha described. “Being in the school for 40 years means that there are quite a few children in school whose parents were students here in my tenure. So I see a double-echo. I often see parents doing great things that show their Jewish values, not just in theory but in practice, and then I see that taking root in their children, too. It’s a multi-generational carrying forward of all that makes us proud to be Jewish people.” Rabbi Simcha has taught countless lessons throughout his decades of leadership and he has also learned profound lessons from the students. “The tools of Jewish heritage allow us to reach into the depth of kids, beyond the superficialities. Each generation lives in a world that has changed, but there is consistency in what goes on deep inside a person’s heart,” he explained. “That’s why we can all go to a play by Shakespeare, written hundreds of years ago, and find that it resonates with us. Certainly, when it comes to the Torah — which goes back 3000 years, it just shows that Jewish learning penetrates a person’s essence. All the superficial, surface-level changes or communication changes, you can cut through all of that when you communicate something valuable from one heart to another heart,” Rabbi Simcha concluded. A
FEATURE
From WWII Romania to Baja California
The Impressive History of Jewish-Owned Wellness Spa, Rancho La Puerta by Nathalie Feingold In the summer of 1940, Deborah Szekely and her husband Edmond embarked on the wide-sweeping search for a home to call their own. Edmond, known affectionately as “the Professor,” was a Romanian citizen whose U.S. visa had just expired. Going back to his home country of Romania, where his Jewish heritage would be a death sentence during World War II, was not an option. So, together, with limited options, they crossed the Southern border bringing with them their shared vision. “We crossed the border into Mexico and created a new home on a scrap of land while living in primitive conditions with visions of a new life that would be rooted in mindfulness,” Deborah described.
Their vision was to share their land and teachings with fellow health-seekers through what they called a “health summer camp.” At the time, Edmond was already a respected intellectual who developed a dedicated following of European health-seekers after the publication of his book “Cosmos, Man and Society.” Because of this following, Edmond knew there would be many like-minded individuals interested in joining him and Deborah in their health camp which is now the internationally esteemed wellness spa Rancho La Puerta. “We thrived on this land, which ultimately became more and more permanent as a haven for health-seekers
from the U.S. and England in particular due to the beauty of the land and the Professor’s message during wartime: live simply, respect the body’s inherent wisdom and embrace a life in nature,” Deborah said. Rancho La Puerta had humble beginnings; guests were encouraged to bring their own tents and pay the small fee of $17.50 a week if they agreed to help with chores around the site. Although it started as only a health camp, the land quickly became a haven for guests who had no safe homes in Europe during World War II. And now, it is often recognized as one of the best-known spas and fitness resorts in the world. continues on next page >>
Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 31
Rancho La Puerta continued
“Over the years, Rancho La Puerta evolved into what it is now: since the 1950s, we have been referred to as the progenitor of the modern fitness resort and spa movement,” Deborah said. Today, Rancho La Puerta stretches out over 4,000 acres of private land. The resort offers a varied fitness program of over 80 fitness classes and organic meals with ingredients from their garden on-site. Guests can also explore miles of hiking trails winding through the mountains and meadows of Baja California. Additionally, they offer spa treatments and therapeutic sessions. Guests who are seeking an escape from everyday stressors typically stay for a week and leave feeling reset. Rancho La Puerta has undoubtedly developed a strong and loyal following; many weeks, nearly 75% of their guests are returnees. Some guests have returned over 50 times.
Although Rancho La Puerta has evolved astronomically since its modest beginnings, Deborah’s profound history has undeniably shaped her approach to wellness. Deborah, the proud daughter
One of the villas on the Rancho La Puerta grounds.
32 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
Today, Rancho La Puerta stretches out over 4,000 acres of private land and is commonly referred to as the “original fitness resort.” The resort offers a varied fitness program of over 80 fitness classes and organic meals with ingredients from their garden on-site.
of Jewish immigrants, carries their wisdom, along with the wisdom of her late husband, within her. “My mother Rebecca, an immigrant nurse from Austria, always told me, ‘Never give with a closed hand.’ Her wisdom has served me well, as wellness — of the self and others — relies on the open-handed gifts of knowledge, inspiration, caring and sharing, which are all very present at Rancho La Puerta,” Deborah explained. Deborah is now 99 years old and immensely proud of the resort’s growth that she helped cultivate throughout the years. She attributes her many successes to constant innovation and hard work. Deborah’s legacy is now under the leadership and guiding hands of her daughter Sarah Livia, who serves as president of Rancho La Puerta. A
Food
by Micah Siva
nutritionxkitchen.com
Everything Bagel Kale Salad If you see bagels as a food group, you’ll love this bagel-inspired salad, filled with your luncheon favorites! Day-old bagels make fantastic croutons, especially when tossed with bagel seasoning and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Paired with goat cheese, fresh dill, capers, hot smoked salmon and a lemon-dijon dressing, this summer-worthy salad is the best light meal to take along to the beach or pool! SERVES 4 INGREDIENTS: • 1 bagel, cut into ¼ inch pieces • 1 tbsp. olive oil • 1 tbsp. everything bagel spice • 2 tbsp. parmesan cheese • 4 cups baby kale or lettuce • 1 green onion, chopped • ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped • 2 tbsp. capers, drained • ¼ cup soft goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 small filet hot smoked salmon, flaked • 2 tsp. sesame seeds DRESSING: • 2 tbsp. lemon juice • 1 tsp. lemon zest • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp. olive oil
PREPARATION: 1.
Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a tray with baking paper.
2. Combine bagel slices, olive oil, spice and cheese. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until golden. Set aside. 3. Meanwhile, combine kale, green onion, dill, capers, goat cheese, salmon and sesame seeds in a large bowl. 4. Make the dressing: whisk together lemon juice, zest, mustard and oil in a small bowl. 5. Drizzle over salad and top with bagel croutons. 6. Enjoy!
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Local Offerings San Diego Repertory Theatre All content is available on sdrep.org. AUG 15: 57 Chevy | Online This one-man memory play explores the generation who moved from Mexico City to the U.S. suburbs in search of the middle class American dream.
▲ The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park.
San Diego Symphony All content is available on sandiegosymphony.org AUG 6-8: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Opening Weekend | In-person FRIDAY: Led by Music Director Rafael Payare, this concert features songs from Masan Bates and George Gershwin. SATURDAY: This concert is the best of Broadway conducted by Rob Fisher. SUNDAY: Gladys Knight and Naturally 7 vocal ensemble put on a soul masterclass.
North Coast Repertory Theatre All content is available on northcoastrep.org. AUG 2-3, 7:30 p.m.: John Denver Tribute | In-person Jim Curry brings John Denver to life with the help of his wife (vocals, mandolin) and flutes and keyboard. AUG 10, 7:30 p.m.: Tuesday Night Comics | In-person Mark Christopher Lawrence hosts this Rated R night of comedy.
ONGOING: Inaugural Season | In-person After the opening weekend, the whole month has concerts at the Shell from mariachi, to Beethoven to Smokey Robinson to Stevie Wonder. ▲
Jim Curry performs the music of the late John Denver at North Coast Rep.
Coronado Playhouse All content is on coronadoplayhouse.org JULY 16-AUG 8: The Comedy of Errors | Online This Free Classic production by the Playhouse is dedicated in loving memory of Keith A. Anderson. Anderson, who passed away earlier this year, started the Annual Free Classic festival in 1997. This year’s production is one of Shakespeare’s early plays: “The Comedy of Errors,” about the comical misadventures of two sets of identical twins. AUG 13-AUG 15, 7 P.M. & 2 P.M.: Vanities: The Musical | In-person This musical follows the adventures of three women from their teen years all the way into their adulthood growing up in the sixties through the eighties.
34 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
The Reuben Fleet Science Center All content is on rhfleet.org and requires registration. AUG 2, 10:30 A.M.: Sharp Minds | In-person Learn all about San Diego’s wetlands from scientists and conservationists. This event is returning to in-person lectures at the Fleet’s home dome theater. AUG 9, 6:30 P.M.: Suds & Science | In-person This edition of “spirited” discussion explores the topic of building better batteries. This event is returning to inperson discussions at Wavelength Brewing in Vista, CA.
▲
Naruwan Taiko at SDMA.
La Jolla Music Society
San Diego Museum of Art
All content is available on ljms.org.
All content is available on sdmart.org
ONGOING: SummerFest | In-person The month-long festival features big concerts, artist lounges and spotlights. Visit their website for an event nearly every day in August.
AUG 1-AUG 8: 2021 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Summer Exhibition | Online This juried exhibition includes 250 works by 188 artists from all over the globe. All works shown in the exhibition are for sale.
AUG 14, 6 P.M.: SummerFest Gala This annual fundraiser will be held at a private residence with ocean-views, fine dining and world-class musicians. AUG 20, 7:30 p.m. Finale: A Love Composed This heart-felt finale will showcase Schumann, Wagner and Brahms.
▲ Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu performs in “American Perspectives IV: The Silver Score” for SummerFest.
The Old Globe All content is available on theoldglobe.org AUG 10-SEPT. 26: Hair | In-person Enjoy the summer of love at the outdoor Lowell Davies theater.
AUG 22, 1 P.M.: SDMA+ Danza Mexi’cayoti | In-person Watch the “modern mystic folk/indigenous dance tradition of Central Mexico” light up the museum rotunda. AUG 28: SDMA+ Naruwan Taiko: In the Forced Vortex | In-person Ana de Alvear’s large-scale galaxy drawing is interpreted by the energetic rhythms of San Diego’s Naruwan Taiko.
San Diego Natural History Museum All content is on sdnhm.org. AUG 20, 10 A.M.: Live Lesson: The Power of Plants | Online This 45-minute Zoom webinar discusses the adaptations of the plants in our area to survive.
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ADAT YESHURUN
A vibrant and inspiring Orthodox congregation in La Jolla that unites Jews of diverse backgrounds • Extensive Educational Programs for All Ages • Communal Events Throughout the Year • A Full Range of Synagogue Services • Facility Rental for Family Simchas
Come & experience our warm & supportive community CONTACT US
(858) 535-1196 info@adatyeshurun.org adatyeshurun.org
36 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
Rabbi Daniel Reich
DIVERSIONS
A new animated Anne Frank movie brings her diary to life in modern-day Amsterdam by JTA News A disoriented teenage girl lies on Anne Frank’s bed as people swarm the family house. But these people are not Nazis; they’re modern-day tourists. And the girl on the bed isn’t Anne, but Kitty — the imaginary friend to whom she addressed her now world-famous diary. Magically resurrected from the page and transported into modernday Europe, Kitty is appalled by how society has fetishized her best friend Anne, hawking cheap merchandise and endless inaccurate reinterpretations of her words. Eventually she takes it upon herself to reclaim Anne’s legacy, by any means necessary. This is the bold reimagining of Anne Frank’s story found in the new animated
film “Where is Anne Frank,” which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film was made by acclaimed Israeli director Ari Folman, best known for his 2008 Oscar-nominated animated documentary hybrid “Waltz With Bashir,” about the lasting memories of Israel’s first Lebanon War. Now Folman has tackled what many consider the sacred text of the Holocaust — rewriting Anne Frank in order to interpret her true lasting legacy. Made in partnership with the Anne Frank Fonds, the Swiss nonprofit founded by Anne’s father, Otto, that holds the copyright to her diary, the film is aimed at younger audiences. But it also enters surprising political
territory, as Kitty comes to understand Europe’s modern-day immigration crisis and begins to consciously relate the continent’s millions of asylum seekers to Anne’s story. “The main goal of the film is to help young audiences today connect with Anne Frank’s story the way that previous generations connected with the diary,” Yves Kugelmann, a member of the Fonds board and a key producer of the film, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. “Frankly, that’s mostly how I look at the film. If this objective is achieved, then it’s a success.” A
Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 37
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OBITUARY
Michael Lieb Jeser January 28, 1976 – July 24, 2021 26 Shevat 5736 – 15 Av 5781 The Jeser family has lost its king, its hero. On Shabbat Va’etchanan Michael lost his four-year battle with Esophageal Cancer. He leaves his much loved and adored wife, his Malka, Laura, and the fouryear-old light of his life, Eleanore. He will be greatly missed by his brothers, his partners-in-crime, Marc and Dave, his sisters-in-law Elizabeth and Lisa, and his fourteen nephews and nieces. His parents, Faye and Paul, will never fully recover from losing their baby, their hero and their most special mensch. From a very young age, Michael had a special relationship with Judaism and Israel. His very first trip (of many) to Israel was when he was minus two months old (when Faye was seven months pregnant). He was a graduate of the JCC pre-school in Orlando and elementary school at the Moriah School in Englewood (NJ). During High School (Dwight Englewood) he participated on the MARCH OF THE LIVING traveling to Poland and then to Israel. After graduating from the University of Arizona, he spent a year in Israel on PROJECT OTZMA, where he taught English and led after-school programs in immigrant neighborhood
schools in Shar Hanegev. In 2004 he received Double-Masters degrees from USC (Social Work) and HUC (Jewish Communal Service). As a member of the Jewish Communal Service Michael’s professional experience included being part of the staff at the Metrowest Jewish Community Center & Camp Deeny Riback (NJ), Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston, and the Jewish Community Center at Milken (LA). He was the highly successful and greatly respected Director of the Real Estate & Construction Division and Director, Geller Leadership Project for the LA Jewish Federation. Michael was the Executive Director of USC Hillel and the Jewish World Watch. In 2015 Michael was appointed Director of Annual Campaign and the Life and Legacy program for the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland (OR). For the past three years, Michael has been the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater San Diego. The love for Michael has shown itself in many ways. The support given to him by the SD Federation’s leadership and staff has been beyond any expectations. When Michael decided to run a GoFundMe campaign to provide support for Laura and Eleanore, over
1,400 people responded! There have been over one thousand personal emails and comments on the many Facebook streams which announced his passing. As one close family friend wrote, ‘there are more tears than words.’ As his cousin from Israel wrote, ‘Michael, who gave you permission to leave?’ One of Michael’s ‘happy places’ was Camp Tevya (NH) where he attended from an early age through college when he was appointed Boy’s Head Counselor. His other ‘happy places’ included rooting for the Jets and Celtics, going to Disneyland, whale and eagle watching, going to the movie theater and eating popcorn, drinking with his brothers and close friends, and, most of all, sitting on the couch with Laura and Eleanore watching his favorite TV shows and movies. The family has requested that donations in Michael’s memory be given to either the Jewish Federation of San Diego (in support of the Michael Jeser Outstanding Jewish Professional Award): jewishinsandiego.org or Camp Tevya: camptevya.org/support-camp/ May Michael’s memory forever be a blessing.
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The News ArtWalk Returns to In‑Person Events Starting August 7-8, ArtWalk returns to Liberty Station to celebrate its 16th year in San Diego. a diverse selection of food and beverages. Attendees of the free, two-day event will have the opportunity to admire the works of local, national and international artists in a variety of mediums; such as painting, sculpture, glasswork, fine jewelry and photography.
The annual fine art exhibition promises a variety of local and international artwork, live entertainment and
Attendees can pair their art-viewing with entertainment provided by local bands and bites from local eateries. “We are thrilled to see events beginning to resume in San Diego
and ArtWalk is the perfect way to celebrate this return and bring some much-needed color and art into people’s lives,” said Curt Brooker, Director of ArtWalk San Diego. “As we ring in our 16th year, ArtWalk @ Liberty Station will showcase our most diverse range of artists from across all mediums of art, traveling from the US, Mexico and beyond.” Furthermore, ArtWalk’s Summer Series has already kicked off in Little Italy, with one-day shows running every other Sunday. Each show displays works of art from 30 selected artists.
Father Joe Carroll, Dedicated Homelessness Advocate, Passes Away Father Joe Carroll, who passed away at the age of 80 on July 11, is remembered fondly for his decades of devotion to the homeless community of San Diego. Carroll was the President Emeritus of Father Joe’s Villages — the largest and most comprehensive homeless services provider in San Diego. Father Joe was a prominent priest in the area who was championed for his compassion and “pioneering vision of a comprehensive approach to homelessness which he called a ‘onestop-shop.’” “Though I am personally saddened at Father Joe Carroll’s passing, I fondly remember the stories and laughs that we shared and his legacy will live on in all that we do. Father Joe selflessly and tirelessly served our community for over three decades. We celebrate
40 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
his lifetime of service,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, President and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. Starting in 1982, Father Joe led the St. Vincent de Paul Center, spending the next 30 years transforming the center into a “comprehensiveservice focused organization committed to combating the root causes of homelessness.” In 2015, the organization was renamed Father Joe’s Villages to honor Carroll’s long-term dedication.
“To many, Father Joe was an icon. To my late husband, Roger, and I, he was also our friend. We were so blessed to be a part of his life and his ministry. We truly believed in his vision of helping our homeless neighbors while retaining their dignity. This is a loss, not just for those of us who knew him well, but for all of San Diego and well beyond,” said Judy Benson, a close friend of Father Joe Carroll and long-time supporter of Father Joe’s Villages.
American Red Cross Experiences Severe Blood Shortage — Donors Urgently Needed The Red Cross is continuing to experience a severe blood shortage in San Diego and nationwide. Donors are critically needed to ensure that blood and platelets are available for patients who need life-saving transfusions this summer.
Currently, the Red Cross needs to collect over 1,000 additional blood donations to meet the increased demand due to significantly high numbers of traumas, emergency room visits and organ transplants.
Emily Jennewein.
Jewish Family Service Names New Board Chair JFS has officially named Emily Jennewein as their new chair of the board of directors. She previously occupied the role of first vice-chair and has been a leader in the Jewish community for the past 20 years.
San Diego Air & Space Museum Receives Rare Aircraft from NASA The San Diego Air & Space Museum received a rare S-3B Viking aircraft on July 13. The Viking landed in Gillespie Field in El Cajon. From there, it taxied to its new and final home at the Museum’s Annex. NASA’s S-3B is significant because it is the last flight-worthy Viking in the world. “The San Diego Air & Space Museum is honored to be the final home of the
last flying S-3B Viking aircraft, one of the most iconic annals of Naval aviation history,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “We are thrilled to display and share it with future generations of visitors to our Gillespie Field Annex in El Cajon. It is a truly worthy and welcome addition to our already impressive collection.”
“I feel truly honored to become chair of JFS’s board and I feel an awesome responsibility to ensure that this organization serves the welfare of the entire community — making the world a better place for all,” Jennewein said. Her leadership roles in the San Diego Jewish community have been extensive —spanning from serving as president of Hillel of San Diego and as president of the Congregation Beth Israel. Her involvement with JFS first began when her daughters volunteered with their “Hand Up” Food Pantry. JFS added two other new members in addition to Jennewein. Dr. Li-Rong Lilly Cheng and Sid Voorakkara will also be lending their expertise to the JFS Board of Directors. Av–Elul 5781 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 41
ADVICE
ASK MARNIE
by Marnie Macauley |
marniemacauley@gmail.com
How We Jews Get Our Kids into College Shalom my dear San Diegans, A young stranger in New York was seeking Yeshiva University, but the many directions he had received only confused him and he became lost. Luckily, he saw an old zayde approach him with a load of books under his arm. He stopped the professorial man. “Tell me, sir, how do I get to Yeshiva University?” The old man thought about the question for a moment or two and then replied, “Study, young man. Constant study!” Most of you know that not too long ago, justice officials prosecuted parents who paid huge sums to get their kids into good colleges. The scheme involved cheating SAT or ACT tests or creating fake athletic histories of students. I ask you, is this stupid (never mind unethical) or what? First, if a child can’t get past printing his whole name on the SATs, Harvard might notice when he declares “Miming” as a major. Then there’s the “athletic” scam. Forgive any hint of stereotyping, but Shlomo Meeskeiter, who spent 18 years in Williamsburg, Brooklyn also happens to be the number one Defensive Specialist in Water Polo? While we Jews consider education a mitzvah and getting into good schools important, of course we’ve noticed that the last two AMs (Alpha-Meshuggah) generations have turned “fair” into faux. The concept of giving our kids an edge shouldn’t involve jail sentences and
42 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM August 2021
giving your child the message he/she is not only an idiot, but can purchase an ego if the price is right. Please read on to learn seven ways we Jews help our kids make the cut.
Seven Ways We Jews Get Our Kids into College 1. Start early with the “right” preschool. If you live in a big city, when your kinder turns two, fly into action! Think of it as an “edu-track” that starts with “the best” preschool and ends with you in an “I’m a Harvard Mom” t-shirt. To accomplish this, he must pass a toddler IQ test. Prepare! Make flash cards of his babbles. “Mom,” “Daddy,” and “Mine” are good. Make sure he memorizes them! (Pronunciation doesn’t count if he doesn’t talk yet.) Next up? Shapes. When he can draw a “hexagon,” G-d willing when he’s three, he’ll ace the test. Be sure to warn him against any “creative” babbling. When the tester asked my son to name two animals, he said: “Two hyenas.” We looked for clown schools. 2. Move to A State Where Few Jews Are Applying: For years, colleges had a “quota” system, at first to keep certain groups out, but now to get them in so they shouldn’t be politically incorrectly undiversified. True, “Jewish” is a special group. But if you come from a Jewish mecca such as New York or Los Angeles, being a genius is not so special. So, what’s
a Jew to do? Simple. Move! Ok, rent a condo during his senior year and send him to Cottonwood High — in South Dakota. True, there are the blizzards and the occasional tornado, but how many kids are applying to Columbia named Chaim Cohen from Cottonwood? Trust me; by the time he graduates, the chill will wear off. 3. Make Your Kinder an Expert in A Rare Team “Sport” (That Doesn’t Involve Anything Physical): True, there are Jews in Ultimate Slamball, but more have invested in the stadium. However, as “athletics” are an admission “biggie,” find a sport where he won’t damage his future surgeon hands. Look for universities that have or should have, for example: Spelling Olympiads, Speed-debating or Power Kvetching. 4. Donate a Small Wing: Ok, true. This one could seem bribe-like by some no-goodnik. Wrong! We Jews have long funded educational endeavors. The Mandelbaum Wing for Matzo Study, say, at Notre Dame, is not only necessary but a mitzvah as it’s doubtful Notre Dame has such a department. And should your Shmooie happen to get in, whose business is it anyway? 5. Do an Ancestry Search: Princeton might be impressed if say, you learned that your great-uncle’s cousin was Albert Einstein. Go further back. Any
connection to Moses, Rashi, even Hedy Lamar, the actress and inventor of Spread Spectrum Technology might help get your kinder into MIT. In doing a search, for example, we learned that my late husband, a proper convert, was a direct descendant of Pocahontas. We let it slip to the admissions committee. Meanwhile, we figured if our son didn’t get his M.D. and support us in our old age, we could at least open a casino. 6. Call an Emergency Family Meeting: We Jews have many many gifts. Nepotism is one. Network nepotistically! Surely among your aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, never mind their relatives on the other side, not to mention their mates, someone knows a person on the admissions committee! I suggest you start this process when your kinder is accepted to preschool! 7. Sit! Yes. Should your kinder, say, be put on a wait list, go to the college. Take with you a trunk load of food. Also bring an inflatable mattress. Park yourself noticeably in front of the admissions office. Sit. Don’t move. When they ask what you’re doing there, repeat as follows: “My son’s on your ‘wait’ list. So I’m waiting.” Be polite, but firm. Repeat this sweetly using the Basic Sigh. A moan wouldn’t hurt either. Keep it up until the admissions officer caves in and admits your child. Be prepared to spend say, from Purim to Pesach. (They’re used to it.) A
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