JANUARY 2025 | TEVET • SHEVAT 5785
New Year’s Issue Leading Environmental Stewardship at TREE SAN DIEGO COASTAL ROOTS FARM
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Messengers of Hope
Join us to celebrate Women of Dedication 2025!
Friday, March 28, 2025
Honorees
10:30 am-1:30pm Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina 333 West Harbor Dr., 92101 Ticket Price: $150.00 per person $1,500 tables of ten Beneficiary: Local Salvation Army Programs SAWA Contact: Pamela Lennen (619) 446-0273 pamela.lennen@ usw.salvationarmy.org
Event Chair, Vivian Tuck
Co-Chairs, Nayda Locke and Inez J. Thomas Register Now!
Back row from left: Kristie Bruce Lane, Susan Polizzotto, Janean Stripe, Susan Davey, Linda Spuck, Julie Dubick, and Deanna Mackey. Sitting, front row: Colleen Peterson, Paula Cordeiro, Valerie Attisha, Kim Folsom, and Fabienne Hanks.
Honorary Chairs
From left: Fern Murphy, Pattie Wellborn, Betty Brayshay and Joan Henkelmann.
Peggy Matthews Legacy Award
Judy Brucker
Join us as we recognize these wonderful women for their decades of service to the San Diego community. Proceeds from the luncheon will support local Salvation Army programs. The Women of Dedication luncheon is one of San Diego’s long running findraisers, founded in 1965 by pioneer and visionary, Emmy Cote`.
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 3
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Markets fluctuate. Relationships shouldn’t. We’re with you every step of the way.
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Contents
PUBLISHERS
Mark Edelstein and Dr. Mark Moss
JANUARY 2025 | TEVET • SHEVAT 5785
EDITOR
Susan Edelstein ASSISTANT EDITOR
Makayla Hoppe
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Donna D’Angelo
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Eileen Sondak
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
24
27
40
Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Andrea Simantov, Trevor James McNeil, Marnie Macauley, Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort, Galia Miller Sprung, Micah Siva Lisa McGuigan CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATOR
Pepe Fainberg
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES
Features
Alan Moss | Palm Springs
24 Tree San Diego — The Greening of Our County
editor@sdjewishjournal.com
27 Coastal Roots Farm: Honoring the Land and Nurturing
marke@sdjewishjournal.com
the People
32 Making Lemonade From Lemons 34 ‘The Brutalist,’ the Epic New Movie Getting Oscar Buzz
EDITORIAL
ADVERTISING
CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS
ronniew@sdjewishjournal.com ART DEPARTMENT
art@sdjewishjournal.com LISTINGS & CALENDAR
assistant@sdjewishjournal.com
Columns 12 From the Editor | Planting Positivity 20 Israeli Lifestyle | Whiplash 22 Literature |Wild at Heart 42 Advice | Healthy Self-Talk To Have a Happy New Year
Every Issue 14 What’s Up Online 16 Our Town 18 Scene 38 Local Arts 40 Food
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 ©2025 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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ish future w e J t n a r ib v Ensuring a eoplehood p h is w e J l ael & globa r Is h it w g Connectin s in need w e J r o f g in Car munity m o c h is w e t & secure J n ie il s e r a Building
This is Federation. For nearly 90 years, Jewish Federation has worked to ensure there will be a vibrant, caring, connected, and enduring Jewish community in San Diego, Israel, and around the world for generations to come. Your support is not just a donation; it is an investment in a thriving Jewish future. To learn more or make a gift, visit
jewishinsandiego.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
INCLUSIVITY DAY
Join Friendship Circle SD and the Lawrence Family JCC for a day of Inclusivity with world-renowned speaker, Brandon Farbstein. Find out more at FriendshipSD.org. For sponsorship oppurtunites, reach out to RabbiYossi@FriendshipSD.org
02. 16. 2025
UPCOMING FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE EVENTS: FRIENDSHIPSD.ORG 8 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
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Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 11
SUSAN EDELSTEIN
Let’s Plant a Tree BY AILEEN FISHER
It’s time to plant a tree, a tree. What shall it be? What shall it be? Let’s plant a pine — we can’t go wrong: A pine is green the whole year long. Let’s plant a maple — more than one, To shade us from the summer sun. Let’s plant an elm, the tree of grace, Where robins find a nesting place. Let’s plant a birch, an oak, a beech, There’s something extra-nice in each. In winter, summer, spring or fall, Let’s plant a...why not plant them ALL?
Planting Positivity SDJJ wishes everyone a happy, healthy and productive 2025. As we welcome this new year, a worthy goal is to bring more positivity into our lives. We can all use more balanced thinking, which benefits us and all those around us. Positivity breeds hope and goodwill and can become contagious; it can grow and spread and brighten our outlook and even our future. Rabbi Eilfort, a paragon of positivity, reminds us that even things that seem like negatives have a hidden kernel of goodness within. Andrea Simantov affirms the buzz in the air from Arabia that Israel might not be the problem but, in fact, the solution for a healthy Middle East. In writing about Maurice Sendak, Trevor James McNeill encourages us to engage our childlike sense of imagination and wonder, and Marnie Macauley guides us toward acquiring affirming beliefs and practicing positive self-talk. Two of the most bountiful and impactful organizations in our county are Tree San Diego and Coastal Roots Farm, which spread wellness throughout San Diego. We hope you enjoy reading about their positive contributions to our community. A
12 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
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WHAT’S UP
Online
Meet Yaniv Bazini, the Israeli forward who propelled U of Vermont to its first soccer championship by Jacob Gurvis, JTA News
A Hostage Deal by Hanukkah? Israel, US and Hamas Indicate Unusual Optimism by Ron Kampeas, JTA News
Yaniv Bazini scored 14 goals for the University of Vermont’s Division I soccer team this season, making him one of the top scorers in the entire country. But on the eve of the championship game, he was still thinking about one particular goal from well over a year ago. It was Oct. 14, 2023, and UVM was leading Binghamton University 4-0 late in the game — their second
contest since the brutal Hamas attack on Bazini’s native Israel only one week prior. Bazini suited up on Oct. 7, but he was, understandably, distracted. One week later, he scored his first goal since the attack, in which Hamas killed 1,200 and took 250 hostage. After netting UVM’s fifth goal of the 5-0 win, Bazini ran to the sideline, grabbed an Israeli flag, and draped it across his back.
WASHINGTON — U.S. and Israeli officials say a deal to release the hostages still held by Hamas may be imminent, a claim reportedly bolstered by an unnamed Hamas official. Hope around possible deals to release the remaining hostages captured on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its war against Israel, has escalated in the past before being foiled. But in recent weeks, much has changed.
23andMe Agrees to $30M Settlement Over Data Breach That Targeted Jewish and Chinese Users by Jackie Hajdenberg, JTA News The genetic testing company 23andMe has agreed to pay $30 million to American plaintiffs to settle a lawsuit over a data breach last year that specifically targeted customers of Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese ancestry. The October breach affected more than 6.9 million customers and included users’ personal details such as their location, name and birthdate, as well as some
information about their family trees. That data was shared on BreachForums, an online forum used by cybercriminals. According to court documents, the data breach was revealed Oct. 6 after a hacker going by the pseudonym “Golem,” a reference to the Jewish mythical defender made of clay, published a link to a database labeled “ashkenazi DNA Data of Celebrities.”
Continue reading these stories at sdjewishjournal.com
14 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
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Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 15
Our Town by Linda Bennett and Emily Bartell
Well, where were YOU? Jewish Federation of San Diego held their annual gala, FED 360, on Nov. 16 at the InterContinental. Honoring the profound impact community support has made on Jewish Federation San Diego, this unforgettable evening honored this year’s Michael Jeser Outstanding Jewish Professional Award to Dana Koenig and the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award to Juli Bear. The packed audience was treated to an impressive program featuring the Cherry family, who last year shared their horrific personal experiences of the Oct. 7 attack on their kibbutz and returned to provide an update on their present life in Israel. The evening’s program was highlighted by a special performance from stand-up comedy star Modi! Some of those we ran into enjoying the evening were Rabbi Rafi and Chaya Andrusier, Daphna and Gad Zellingold, Rabbi Hanan Leberman, Gina Lew and Jeff Platt, Cianna Platt, Dustin Biton, Lynn and Marc Glazer, Barbara Bry and Neil Senturia, Angel and Lisa Berman Hernandez, Marcy Diamond, Tammy and Clive Moch, Jean and Gary Shekhter, Zack Bunshaft, Danielle and Brian Miller, Jean and Howard Sommers, Robin Sassi, Shannah Katz, Allison Leeds, Miller Saltzman, and Sandy Scheller. The Jewish Family Service Center for Jewish Care luncheon was held on Nov. 13 at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar. The afternoon’s program, “Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz In Conversation with Michael Hopkins, JFS CEO,” was very enlightening. In this informative and uplifting program, Rabbi Shmuly illustrated through ancient texts, case studies, and his own personal experiences as a social activist how acts of compassion can bridge divides, heal communities and drive systemic change. Others we ran into were Barbara Loonin, Susan Shmalo, Mimi Lee, Adam Rosenthal, Lisa Kalal, Ryan
16 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
Goldenhar, Sarah Scott, Debra and Lenny Fishman, Sue and Dick Braun, Rita Heller, Jackie and Charlie Mann, Luanne Gross, Renee Packer, and Michael Marks. Mazel Tov to Rhonda Amber and Jonathan Licht on the birth of granddaughter, Avis Doris. Proud parents are Rosalie and David DeCarlo. Mazel Tov to Carol Davis on the birth of her greatgrandson, Avi Lee. Parents are Taylor and Eytan Argavani, grandson of Jodi and Ilan Argavani. Avi is the nephew of Keri and Laura Davis-Duffy. Mazel Tov to Ben Green on becoming a Bar Mitzvah on Nov. 9. Officiated by Rabbi Devorah Marcus at Temple EmanuEl, Ben’s parents, Emily and Danny Green, along with younger sibling, Hailey, all looked on with pride.
Yom Huledets Sameach to... Marty Freedman celebrating his 94th birthday. Herb Lubick celebrating his 88th birthday. Rosie Jacobson celebrating her 82nd birthday. Andrea Ladmer celebrating her 82nd birthday.
CELEBRATING
Wedding Anniversaries
with infinite love & happiness, Mazel Tov to… Gail and Thomas Pliner, 62 years. Erin and Richard Savitch, 59 years. Nancy and David Amiel, 58 years. Ann and Alan Chaitin, 57 years.
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
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Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 17
The Scene The Southern California region of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, honored an Oct. 7 heroine, Michal Elon, and her identical twin sister at a poignant morning gathering on Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Carmel Valley. (Top right, Hadassah) left to right: Diane Sherman, Carol Ann Schwartz, Lauren Essex. (Center right, Hadassah)
Michal Elon.
(Photos below, Friendship Circle) Children
explore at “Friendship Circle Going Wild.”
Friendship Circle San Diego hosted one of its most exciting events yet: Friendship Circle Going Wild! Held at Chabad at La Costa, the event brought together families and friends with disabilities and their neurotypical peers for a morning of adventure. This event was more than just activities—it was about the beauty of friendship. Photos courtesy Friendship Circle.
18 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
The 32nd annual “Take a Swing for Seniors” golf, tennis, pickleball and spa day raised over $160,000 to help residents of Seacrest Village. (Clockwise, from photo at right) Pickleball winners Brad Blose and Randy Urist;
welcome lunch sponsors; first place tennis players Kim Stromberg and Steven Kavy; first place golf foursome Brett Feuerstein, Charles Wax, Daniel Wax and Marshall Wax. Photos courtesy of Seacrest Foundation.
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 19
ISRAELI LIFESTYLE
LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE by Andrea Simantov | andreasimantov@gmail.com
Whiplash
W
hen Neil Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the moon on July 21, 1969, the enormous event seemed to be encapsulated in a gilded frame. Time stopped for a bit — even as the Vietnam war waged, gay rights emerged to the forefront after Stonewall, and Woodstock was a drumbeat away from becoming the most famous musical milestone in memory. Each of these historical footnotes stood on its own merit, long enough for us to sigh, bear witness, and emotionally record just where we were when [fill in the blank] happened. On the morning of Oct. 7, 2023 in Israel, 1,200 innocent men, women and children were ferociously butchered while sleeping, dancing, jogging or praying by murderous savages who had been long preparing — and were well prepared — for carnage. More than 250 more of these innocents were rapidly shunted into a once beautiful, now cesspool called Gaza, attaining the moniker of “hostages.” At the time of this writing, many are known dead, several have been released, and the remaining prisoners are languishing in unimaginable conditions. Stunned, near-broken and bleeding, Israel retaliated. Aroused from comfortable somnolence, this Lion of
20 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
Judah unleashed a powerful force against those who wish us dead by establishing impenetrable and secure buffer zones, deterring future massacres with an iron fist against terrorism, swift punishment for perpetrators and — front and center — getting our stolen people home. Am I confused in believing that there is no room for argument against this master plan? The whirlwind of support-versuscondemnation didn’t stop. Each day, the news brought myriad tales of rabid protests on college campuses, synagogue attacks and shocking brutality foisted upon Jews at both sporting events and on the streets where they reside. And instead of receiving international support for our righteous efforts to
keep existing while protecting noncombatants behind enemy lines, Israel is besmirched and castigated. Unprecedented. Why? I guess we’d have to query the United Nations, the International Court of Justice and/or the International Criminal Court and, hopefully, receive an answer that doesn’t drip with sanctimonious spume. We didn’t have the luxury of the 1969 pace. Enemy assault on Jews and Jewish interests offers no respite, no time-out in which to catch one’s breath. We didn’t start the fire, but murderous vermin named Ibrahim Aqil, Fuad Shukr, Muhammad Nasser, Muhammad Deif, Ismail Haniyeh, Saleh al-Arouri and Yahya Sinwar twisted the narrative. We became the bad guys, but they could have avoided their fates. They should have been lights unto their people. They would have elevated the lives of those who were starving for leadership. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. They didn’t, and 15 months into this seismic conflict, the heavens rumble from the paralysis of Iran, the near-disintegration of Hamas and Hezbollah, the birth pangs of a new Syrian government after Bashar al-Assad’s middle-of-the-night escape, Putin’s humiliation, and incoming U.S. President Donald Trump’s relentless saber-rattling. continues on page 23 >>
In the New Year
Repair the World With Us Grow a Friendship Spark Joy
Give a Ride
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Deliver a Meal
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LITERATURE
WRITTEN IN FIRE by Trevor James McNeil
tremcneil1980@gmail.com
Wild At Heart
T
here are many who say, “There are only seven stories in the world.” This is mostly true and generally used to keep new writers from getting above themselves, but there are exceptions in every rule. As often happens, exceptions are made in the fringes; someone who was coming up with new things even as the rules were being made was children’s author and illustrator Maurice Sendak. Born in New York in 1928, Sendak’s parents were Polish Jews who left Europe during the interwar period, likely seeing what was coming with the rising wave of anti-semitism. Raised in relative comfort by his merchant parents, his father running a modestly successful dressmaking business, Sendak referred to his childhood as ‘a terrible situation,’ as he would lose several members of his extended family after the Nazis annexed Poland. Well aware of life and death before reaching his teens, Sendak was more conscious of his own mortality than many young Americans at his reckless age. A quiet and somewhat sickly child, Sendak developed a love of reading while he was bedridden at the age of 12. His love of illustration came at the same time, after first seeing Walt Disney’s ambitious opus “Fantasia.” His career path set before he’d hit puberty; Sendak spent most of his teens honing his skills and learning as much as he could, starting his career as an illustrator at the young age of 20 when he got his first professional commissions.
22 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
Well aware of life and death before reaching his teens, Sendak was more conscious of his own mortality than many young Americans.
Sendak’s early clients were diverse, ranging from designing window displays for a toy store to providing illustrations for a science textbook on atomics titled “Atomics For the Millions” in the 1940s. By the beginning of the 1950s, Sendak discovered his niche in illustrating children’s books. A repeat collaborator was author Ruth Krauss, with whom Sendak worked on eight different titles, including “A Hole to Dig” in 1952. He also worked with the famous Danish author Else Holmelund Minarik on five titles in her “Little Bear” series. Their collaboration lasted nearly a decade from 1957, when Sendak was only 29, to 1968. While still doing illustration jobs to keep steady money coming in, particularly during his work with Minarik,
Sendak began writing and illustrating his own stories, starting with “Kenny’s Window” in 1956. A surreal fantasy, the story is about a boy named Kenny who sets out to find a garden he sees in a dream, establishing the elements of adventure, escape and rebellion that would become hallmarks of his style. His second effort, “Very Far Away” was more rooted in reality; the book is about a boy trying to deal with a new baby sibling and sets out looking for a place called ‘Very Far Away.’ Three years later, in 1960, Sendak published the book “The Sign on Rosie’s Door.” Tapping into the imagination only children have, the story plays with themes of magic, secrets and ambition like few American children’s books at the time. More closely resembling Scandinavian titles and characters such as Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking, his work with Minarik likely rubbed off on him story-wise. Between 1962 and 1963, Sendak took a chance on a series, publishing all four titles in “The Nutshell Library,” including “Alligator All Around” and “One Was Johnny,” bringing a new energy and sense of surrealism to children’s literature rarely seen since “Alice In Wonderland.” The fact that Mozart was one of his main influences is clearly seen in his playful sense of whimsy and gentle innovation. The 1960s would see Sendak’s greatest success, and in a similar fate to A.A. Milne with “Winnie the Pooh” continues on next page >>
Literature continued and J.M. Barrie with “Peter Pan,” the book for which he is best known today. Released with little fanfare in the late fall of that year,” Where The Wild Things Are” would become a touchstone of American children’s literature for generations to come, with a successful updated version in 1988, an opera in 1980, and at least two film adaptations including an animated short in 1973 and a live-action feature film in 2009. It is here that Sendak’s themes of rebellion, home and place really come to a head. Likely influenced by the fact that Sendak was deeply in the closet for decades, “Where the Wild Things Are” was published a good six years before the Stonewall riots launched the modern gay rights movement. A
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Israeli Lifestyle continued Almost overnight, a new world order is on the horizon, but for the holy nation of Israel, the price has been astronomical. We will never heal from the sheer number of dead soldiers who were destined for greatness but, like young saplings, were cut down before their time. Baruch Dayan Emet. Blessed is the True Judge. Still, there is a buzz in the air coming from Arabia that Israel might not be the problem but, in fact, the solution. Each day, the government receives hints of Arab interest in partnering toward a healthy Middle East with Israel as the guidepost for better developing their own tribal communities. The outpouring of queries from Druze, Bedouins and Kurds from southern Syria alone has been alarming. As we limp into the Gregorian year of 2025, let’s refrain from believing we have a handle on tomorrow. The past 15 months have taught us that miracles pass through the ‘eye of a needle’ and we are not the ones in charge. 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.
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24 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
FEATURE
Tree San Diego — The Greening of Our County by Susan Edelstein
T
rees are the stuff of life. They provide the air we breathe, food and shelter for birds, insects and small animals, shade, and a cool spot on a warm day. They also bestow beauty in all their varieties. Tree San Diego is a nonprofit organization that seeks to increase San Diego’s tree canopy. TSD has recently celebrated its 10th year and 10,000th tree, with plans for the planting of 5,000 more this year. TSD is committed to equitable access to trees, and most of its projects are in underinvested and disadvantaged regions. They prioritize urban ‘heat islands.’ Elektra Fike-Data, executive director of Tree San Diego, says in addition to the benefits of cleaner air and water, trees also lower the temperature, which conserves energy, and businesses benefit because workers are more productive and patrons are more inclined to shop on tree-shaded streets. Trees reduce manmade noise pollution with their ‘white noise’ of leaves and branches rustling in the wind. Trees beautify neighborhoods and increase property values. Public sites for planting are chosen using the city’s Urban Forestry Master Plan. Private sites like businesses and schools must meet certain requirements, such as having the proper infrastructure
Tree San Diego recently celebrated its 10th year and 10,000th tree.
and soil. Neighborhoods form partnerships and advocate for trees, and individual homeowners can request trees for their property directly. TSD partners with community members to water, mulch and monitor the health of the trees. They garner community involvement and evaluate soil and other conditions to ensure success from the beginning. There are many considerations, including the species of tree that will thrive in a particular location. Tree planting teaches about local environments, promotes better relations with neighbors and stronger ties to neighborhoods, and gives children more areas to play. In explaining the increase in demand for trees from urban dwellers, Elektra stated, “When considering the nature of urban forestry, we emphasize the urban element because the built environment needs to reincorporate green infrastructure. Residents in neighborhoods lacking tree canopy are beginning to feel the impacts of climate change (think extreme heat, increased drought, ecosystem stress) more than those in areas with robust canopy cover. A natural solution to offsetting some of these effects is the reintroduction of continues on next page >>
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 25
Tree San Diego continued
The younger generations are growing up with extreme weather events, and they recognize that we need to invest in environmental stewardship, especially urban forestry management and care.
trees. People are becoming more aware of the benefits of trees in this regard, so the demand for and willingness to care for their urban forest is becoming a driver for investment in natural solutions.” Elektra believes environmental awareness is growing, and neighbors caring for the trees are looking for longevity and passing the knowledge to the next generation. She says, “The younger generations are growing up with extreme weather events, and they recognize that we need to invest in
26 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
environmental stewardship, especially urban forestry management and care, so TSD is working to empower the next generation and equip them to prioritize urban greening projects in their neighborhoods.” Tree San Diego is focused on the future and has created a model for their long-term success. Elektra explained, “With more than 90% of our projects serving underinvested communities, TSD is committed to prioritizing equitable access to green space and expanded tree canopy, which has
countless environmental, social and economic benefits over time. Our TSD team has built a holistic approach to long-term urban greening; we call it the People-Plan-Plant model, which aims to bring balance to program design and implementation, ensuring equal access to environmental resources and workforce training while also providing space for all voices and groups during the planning stage for any public project.” Zachary Moser, fundraising manager for TSD, says, “This organization directly sows the seeds for a better and more sustainable future. I hear more and more stories like this every day: A young family planting a tree at their new home or in honor of their first-born child; a group of colleagues tree planting in a city park; a class of elementary schoolers playing underneath the shade of the new magnolia trees planted in their school playground. It’s a magical thing to plant a tree and even more magical to plant 10,000.” A
FEATURE
Coastal Roots Farm: Honoring the Land and Nurturing the People by Susan Edelstein
A
t Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas, the chickens are the MVPs. On this 10-year-old, 18-acre farm, agroforestry is practiced, which integrates trees with crops, pasture and chickens. There are rows of tall trees with brush, mulch and seasonal crops planted in between. The farm has two flocks of chickens in coops on wheels that are rotated through the fields. The chickens eat the pests, fertilize the soil and provide eggs. There is a partnership between the land and the chickens.
However, the greater partnership is between the farm and the people of San Diego County that it serves. Coastal Roots Farm is committed to ‘food justice,’ which Kesha Dorsey, the farm’s director of philanthropy, explains. “Food justice is the belief that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the right to access nutritious, culturally appropriate and sustainably grown food. It recognizes the inequities in our food system —where marginalized communities are often
the most impacted by hunger, food insecurity and lack of access to fresh produce — and works to address those systemic barriers. At Coastal Roots, our commitment to equitable food access is central to our mission. Through regenerative agriculture, we grow nutrient-dense, organic food and ensure it reaches those who need it most.” Kesha describes how Coastal Roots Farm has grown over the last 10 years, “Coastal Roots Farm has remained continues on next page >>
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Coastal Roots Farm continued
Most importantly, the farm has become a beloved gathering space — a place where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come together to connect with the land, Jewish values and each other.
steadfast in our commitment to nourishing the community by feeding people in need and building vibrant Jewish life. Over the last decade, the farm has become a thriving hub of food production, education and connection. Today, we grow more food than ever by using regenerative practices that heal the earth while feeding our neighbors and donate a larger and larger percentage of harvest each year to those facing food insecurity. Most importantly, the farm has become a beloved gathering space—a place where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities come together to connect with the land, Jewish values and each other.” According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, one in four people is nutrition insecure because the food in our
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supermarkets is harvested before it is ripe, as it typically travels between 1,500-2,500 miles to reach stores, so there is less flavor and less nutrition. Coastal Roots allows access to organic, ripe (therefore high nutrition) food. The farm grows 80,000 pounds of food per year, and 75% of that is donated to foodinsecure San Diegans, feeding 45,000 people each year. There are two ways the farm gets this food to people: The pay-what-you-can farm stand on site and direct donations via truck. The stand is open to all twice a week — Sundays 10-3, Thursdays 12-3 — offering whatever has just been harvested: vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers, plus eggs on Sundays. Each box contains about $30 in food. People pay what they can, and no one is turned away.
The trucks donated by the county deliver to active military families and veterans, low-income seniors, Holocaust survivors, Indigenous and Latin community members, and individuals who are not able to shop at grocery stores due to mobility and/or income restrictions.
The way Coastal Roots operates is not new — it is ancient, indigenous and regenerative. It’s the gold standard in farming. They cultivate sustainable agriculture following ancient Jewish wisdom, rotating crops by season, with 60 crops per year. They address food insecurity
and nutrient insecurity and nurture the next generation of environmental stewards. The farm’s message is that humans and the earth are connected. Kesha explains how the farm connects to Jewish values.
“The farm connects to Jewish values by bringing timeless teachings to life through farming, food and community connection. Values like Adam V’Adamah (“Human” and “Soil”) remind us of our deep interdependence with the earth, while Tikkun Olam (“Repairing the World”) guides our commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. Arevut (“Mutual Care”) calls us to feed our neighbors and nurture community, and Peleh (“Wonder”) inspires awe and gratitude for the natural world. Finally, the rhythms of the Jewish calendar and Kodesh (“Sacred Time”) shape how we gather, celebrate and honor the cycles of life and nature. By integrating these values into our work, we create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to engage with Jewish wisdom in a meaningful, hands-on way that connects past, present and future.” Coastal Roots cultivates healthy communities through multiple education programs with hands-on learning, including field trips, farm camp, after-school on the farm, and nature play. The farm connects people, many of whom say the farm is their main place for learning about the connection between the Jewish calendar and the agricultural cycle. They educate 12,000 students each year, and more than 50% of students and campers are on scholarships. The impact of the educational opportunities the farm offers is clear. Kesha says, “Through immersive experiences in regenerative farming, environmental science and naturebased play, children develop a deeper understanding of where their food comes from, how ecosystems work and why caring for the earth matters. They leave with a sense of wonder, curiosity and responsibility for the planet. By fostering these connections early on, the farm plants seeds of environmental stewardship that can grow into lifelong commitments to sustainability and climate action.” Tu B’Shvat is an ancient Jewish holiday honoring trees, and the 10th annual Coastal Roots Farm Tu B’Shvat Food Festival will be held this year on Feb. 2. The festival educates about agroforestry, gives tours, and has hands-on activities like crafts for kids, workshops and cooking classes for adults. Food and drinks are provided by local vendors. The festival guides us in renewing our commitment to the natural world and having fun while doing so. A
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 29
Shine Brighton the
Diam nd 75 founders GALA th
Anniversary presented by
Darlene Marcos Shiley, Honorary Chair
Leading and Lighting the Way Forward to a Bright Future The University of San Diego is immensely grateful to Darlene Marcos Shiley for her leadership and steadfast commitment to USD. Thanks to her generosity and support, USD's values-based education is preparing students to take on the challenges of today and answer the questions of tomorrow by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love.
to USD’s 2024 Founders Gala Leading Supporters The University of San Diego’s Founders Gala raises funds benefiting USD undergraduate, graduate, and law students. A special thank you to our sponsors, table hosts, and attendees for their generous support and participation! 75TH DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS
LEGACY SPONSORS
HERITAGE SPONSORS
FOUNDERS SPONSORS
Lisa and Ben Arnold (Ava ’25 and Aaron ’28)
DIAMOND TABLES
Rob '88 and Aida ’89 MacKay
Jon and Jane (Rollo) Balousek
MA Engineers
Clay Bennett Family
Mary M. O’Connor D.D.S., Inc.
Cox / PNC Bank
Rudolph & Sletten, Inc.
Steven ’96 and Kristin ’94 French
Sycuan Casino Resort
The McGrory Family
Clarity Design / NuFACE
Tushaus Wealth Management (Julia and Chase ’11 Tushaus)
The Jamey and Julie Power Family
Tom and Margaret Lupfer (Clarity Design)
V Group
Bank Of America Bright Event Rentals Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP (Zarah and Charles Meyer ’03, ’07 JD)
Whittier Trust
Show Imaging The Wilkinson Family Foundation
Making Lemonade from Lemons by Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort
I
t has become a cliché in America that when something bad happens, we try to find something good in it; in other words, “make lemonade from lemons.” This concept did not originate in the U.S. or even in modern times. Many different cultures have variations of this theme, and for good reason. It is both brilliant and practical! In fact, it is one of the founding principles of Chasidic Philosophy. In Talmudic times, more than 2,000 years ago, we were also taught variations of this theme. We are told, no matter what happens, “Gam zu li’tovah!” (This is also for the good.) The famous Rabbi Akiva, a man from very humble beginnings who rose to become the preeminent scholar of his generation and who ultimately died a martyr at the hands of the Romans, said, “Everything that G-d does, He does for the good.” And then there was the great Rabbi Nachum, known as Nachum Ish Gam Zu because he always said, “Gam zu li’tovah!” The Baal Shem Tov, the originator of Chasidic Philosophy, focused on three themes in our Divine service: (A) Divine Providence (that G-d is in control of everything). (B) We must love every single Jew. (C) We are meant to serve G-d with joy. G-d controls everything, and G-d is good. This practically means that everything is for the good. Clearly, when one sees ‘G-d’s hand’ wherever he looks and understands that the Creator controls everything, one cannot help but be happy. This doesn’t only apply when we are feeling good about things — when things are going the way we want them to go.
FEATURE
This holds true even when things are going in a way that we don’t want. Even things that seem like negatives have a hidden kernel of goodness within them. Hence, the idea of making lemonade out of lemons is truly a Jewish sentiment.
This can be a difficult concept to defend. Obviously, there are many things in this world that cannot be described in and of themselves as revealed good. No indeed, often the good is buried very deeply and only becomes apparent after a long time. Here is an example to consider. On Oct. 7, 2023, the bloodthirsty enemies of our people unleashed an unprovoked and horrific massacre against thousands of innocent people. Many were led into brutal captivity, where they remain until this day. What was their crime? Their crime was being in the Jewish state of Israel. When Israel reacted and started doing the hard work of eradicating such implacable evil, the antisemites came crawling out of the shadows. They showed their hand and conquered American academia. Europe, long a hotbed of virulent antisemitism, was and is the scene of continual displays of diseased modern forms of antisemitism. Just a couple of weeks ago, Israeli soccer fans were subjected to a pogrom
in the tolerance capital of the world, Amsterdam, of all places! The ‘bright lights’ in the UN and the European Union and the International Court of Justice and even some prominent politicians here in the good old US of A are so lacking in common sense, are so lacking in moral clarity, that they call for arms embargoes against Israel. This is the precise moment that she fights for her life against barbarians who come directly from the Dark Ages. In the name of justice, those who defend the free world are subjected to the greatest miscarriage of justice in modern times and are accused of war crimes. Up is down, and good is called evil. It’s a case of ‘doublethink’ on steroids. “Rabbi, how can you say there is any good in all of this?!” Over the past year, we have witnessed the spiritual, moral and military power of the IDF. Who amongst us doesn’t feel pride in the ongoing operations of the Israeli Armed Forces? The ‘Beeper Operation’ demonstrated their brilliance. Their operations to clean out the terrorists from Gaza and Lebanon while minimizing innocent human life have been nothing short of miraculous while demonstrating incredible ingenuity and courage. And best of all, these battles have shown that the ultimate sponsor of state terror is nothing more than a paper lion, ready to be toppled (G-d willing, speedily in our day). The bad guys are in full retreat. Israel has rendered them nearly helpless. She simply must kick in the door, and the whole rotten structure will collapse. Who would have thought, even just a few months ago, that the implacable
Syrian regime under the mass murderer would have melted away and that the Syrian armed forces would be rendered harmless without Israel firing a shot in battle? I am not going to sit here and say Oct. 7 was a blessing. That is not my place. It is way over my pay grade. But what I can say with confidence is that Oct. 7 has led to the security situation in Israel being vastly improved, and that is a great and revealed blessing. Incidentally, the more the CNNs and BBCs and Reuters of the world howl about the IDF taking over security positions and replacing those of a murderous regime working for the Iranians, the better you know the situation is. The mainstream media has lost all credibility when dealing with Israel. They have shamed themselves, perhaps beyond the possibility of redemption.
This war has brought moral clarity to many, many people. This war has shown us who our true friends are. This war has brought Israel vastly improved security. This is the lemonade made from the lemons of Oct. 7. In conclusion, I would like to give everyone who reads this article an assignment, which is to look for G-d’s hand everywhere, to contemplate Divine Providence, and to allow the consequential waves of happiness to envelope you. A
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Guy Pearce (front), Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones in a scene from “The Brutalist.” Photo: Lol Crowley/A24.
‘The Brutalist,’ the Epic New Movie Getting Oscar Buzz by Andrew Lapin, JTA News
T
he historical drama stars Adrien Brody as a fictional Holocaust survivor and architect. The famed architect Louis Kahn made little effort to live Jewishly in his life, yet throughout the 20th century he designed synagogues and famous Holocaust memorials across the country. The Hungarian Jewish designer Marcel Breuer, educated at the Bauhaus school, was forced to renounce his Judaism while he lived in Germany. Later he wowed Americans with his striking brutalist designs — until the
34 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
tides shifted, and his buildings became some of the nation’s most reviled. Neither Kahn nor Breuer are mentioned by name in the new movie “The Brutalist,” which follows a Holocaust survivor and acclaimed architect as he attempts to complete a monumental structure in suburban Philadelphia. Yet the movie tells their story, as well as that of other prominent Jewish architects and designers of the 20th century, many of whose biographical details informed the journey of the movie’s fictional hero, László Tóth, played by Adrien Brody.
The film’s 36-year-old director, Brady Corbet, says he drew heavily from Kahn, Breuer and other Jewish designers in crafting his story. Yet he claims he didn’t set out to make a Jewish movie, just one about architecture.
FEATURE
emigrating to the United States; Jews being pushed out of elite society across the globe; and debates about the early years of Zionism. “I was sort of fascinated by the way that people, communities, tend to perceive anything which is unfamiliar to them,” he said, referencing both “a new building that’s been erected in a different style” and “a new member of their community that has different traditions, different heritage, different skin color.”
Adrien Brody in “The Brutalist.” Photo: Lol Crowley/A24.
Corbet, who co-wrote the screenplay with his partner Mona Fastvold, said he was fascinated by brutalism in particular — a popular, yet polarizing, mid-century architectural movement that prioritizes large, rough surfaces and raw concrete exposure. Why brutalism? Because governments all over the world have ordered such buildings destroyed soon after taking power; the buildings were, to him, an effective metaphor for unwanted groups of people who had once gained some degree of societal prominence. In short, he said, “so many people hated it.” But hardly anyone is hating “The Brutalist.” The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival this fall, where it won the best director prize — considered a runner-up to the prestigious Golden Lion award. Recently it also scored the best film and best actor awards
from the New York and Chicago film critics groups, and racked up a stack of Golden Globe nominations. Hollywood trades expect the film to be a top Oscar contender, especially Brody, who performs much of his dialogue in Hungarian and whose accolades come two decades after the Jewish actor won an Oscar for portraying another artistic Holocaust survivor in “The Pianist.” The accolades are notable for several reasons. The film has an epic, threeand-a-half-hour runtime, including an intermission — the kind of length that, while befitting the scope and theme of a story about an uncompromising artist, could turn theatergoers off. Then there’s the subject matter itself, which, during a time of immense fear and uncertainty for Jewish Americans, unapologetically tackles the Holocaust; antisemitism; the hazards Jews faced
When the Nazis took power, he pointed out, they shut down the Bauhaus design school in Germany, where the ideas behind brutalism originated and where many prominent Jewish architects — including, in the movie, László — were taught. The changing tides against brutalism took place as Jewish American architects frequently found themselves drawing on the memory of the Holocaust in their postwar work, according to the 2011 history book “Building After Auschwitz: Jewish Architecture and the Memory of the Holocaust,” by Gavriel D. Rosenfeld. The film joins a deep crop of Jewishinterest movies this awards season, including Jesse Eisenberg’s Holocaust dramedy “A Real Pain”; “September 5,” a controversial docudrama about the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre of Israeli athletes; “The Order,” a factbased thriller about the 1984 murder of a Jewish radio host by white nationalists; and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” A
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 35
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At Seacrest Village our exciting monthly calendar is filled with fun activities, workshops, and events tailored just for you. We offer new and different activities every month so you can make the most of every moment. Mah Jongg, Scrabble, Bridge club, movies, live music, water aerobics, and so much more.
seacrestvillage.org I 760-632-0081 211 Saxony Road, Encinitas CA 92024
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Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 37
Local Arts BY EILEEN SONDAK
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART mcasd.org The San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art is showcasing “For Dear Life: Art, Medicine & Disability,” an exhibition that explores sickness, health, and medicine. The show will be on display through Feb. 2.
LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY
SAN DIEGO JUNIOR THEATRE
theconrad.org
juniortheatre.com
La Jolla Music Society continues its season on Jan. 10, with pianist Jeremy Denk, followed on Jan. 12 by violinist Guido Sant’Anna. “Fire Shut up in My Bones: Opera Suite in Concert” comes to town on Jan. 19, and the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company makes a onenight stand at the Civic Theatre on Jan. 25 to mark the troupe’s 100th anniversary. Jahari Stampley Trio will give two concerts on Jan. 26, and on the 29th clarinetist Anthony McGill and pianist Emanuel Ax give a recital. “Albert Lin: In Search of Lost Cities” ends the month on a high note as part of the Speaker Series.
San Diego Junior Theatre is starting the year off with a world premiere. This original work, titled “Churlish Chiding of Winter Winds: A Shakespeariment,” will occupy the Casa del Prado Jan. 10-19. Conceived by director David Goodwin and devised by students of Junior Theatre’s education program, this impressive new work was culled from the Bard’s pastoral plays, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Winter’s Tale.” The new play is another feather in the cap of the longest-running youth theater program in the country.
NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE North Coast Rep is featuring a San Diego premiere Jan. 8 through Feb. 2. “The Heart Sellers” is a fascinating portrayal of brilliant and creative women navigating the trials and tribulations of life in a new country. Reflecting the Asian immigrant experience, the play uses drama and humor to engage audiences in this emotional work.
38 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
Photo: Aaron Rumley.
northcoastrep.org
NORTH COAST REP: Marielle Young as Luna and Jin Park as Jane in “The Heart Sellers.”
BROADWAY SAN DIEGO: “Back to the Future, The Musical.”
BROADWAY SAN DIEGO broadwaysd.com Broadway San Diego is importing another new award-winning musical to the Civic Theatre Jan. 14-19. “Back to the Future, The Musical” brings the blockbuster film to life with spectacular stagecraft and eye-popping effects that transport audiences back to 1955 in a timetraveling DeLorean. The show is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, so try to snare a seat before it moves on. Broadway San Diego has another treat in store for musical theater aficionados this month. A live musical version of “Some Like it Hot” (the iconic movie filmed at the Hotel del Coronado) is ready to charm and delight audiences at the Civic Jan. 28 through Feb. 2. This award-winning musical is a must-see for local theater buffs.
LAMB’S PLAYERS: “Once: The Musical.” Photo: Ken Jacques.
THE OLD GLOBE THEATRE
LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATRE
theoldglobe.org
lambsplayers.org
The Old Globe’s Shiley Stage is ready to deliver the San Diego premiere of “Appropriate,” a darkly comedic drama about estranged siblings who team up to settle their late father’s estate. In the process, they confront old secrets and long-held resentments. The Tony Award-winning play will be playing at the Globe Jan. 25 through Feb. 23.
The Lamb’s Players is gearing up to present “Once,” the multi-awardwinning musical. The show will take over the Lamb’s Coronado home Jan. 27 through March 30. The troupe gave “Once” its regional premiere in 2018, and now the lively Irish musical returns with most of the original cast intact.
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 39
Photo: Shutterstock.
40 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
Food Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies by Shannon Sarna, The Nosher INGREDIENTS: • 1 cup almond butter • 1 egg • 1 cup packed brown sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla • 1 cup chocolate chips • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts • thick sea salt (optional) PREPARATION: 1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together almond butter, egg, brown sugar and vanilla. 3. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts. 4. Spoon out tablespoon-sized mounds onto ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with pinch of thick sea salt on top if desired. 5. Bake for 11 minutes, and then allow to cool for 5 minutes while cookies remain on the baking sheet. Transfer to baking rack to cool completely.
Tevet–Shevat 5785 SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM | 41
ADVICE
ASK MARNIE by Marnie Macauley
marniemacauley@gmail.com
Healthy Self-Talk To Have a Happy New Year Shalom, my dear San Diegans: I admit it. I talk to myself. True, it can be a little creepy at times, but I’m one great little listener. I talk in the car. I talk in the bathroom. I talk in the kitchen. I talk to things. The positive self-talk or rehearsals are great! Ah, but my negative self-talk had completely ruined my relationship with my computer and phone, among other things. We were at war. My computer adds stuff I don’t want and didn’t ask for and has the capacity to destroy my stuff because the unaskedfor stuff doesn’t get along with the stuff I already have, requiring me to upgrade to new, expensive, unwanted stuff. My phone hangs up when it’s bored. Yes. Right in the middle of my doctor saying: “The tests finally came back and ------------------------” Dead. I call back, and I get blocked. Don’t get me started. Looking at this realistically, I’ve come to realize my thinking and reactions are incorrect. Or perhaps I’m so busy believing the negative and personalizing it that I’m already anxious, furious and handling these devices incorrectly. Finally, I expected nothing to work, and calmly ordered a new phone and had a tech expert fix the computer. A critical aspect of getting out from under negativity is acquiring new positive beliefs, and one great exercise is practicing changing our negative
42 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
My negative self‑talk had completely ruined my relationship with my computer and phone, among other things.
self-talk. This is critical to keep things real and proportional. After decades of practice, I’ve come up with the following strategic self-talk. I’ve started you off here...more will be added to thesrtway.com, so please visit. By all means, feel free to stitch your own favorites on something, preferably not your partner and let me/us know.
The SRT Principle: “Life is a messy affair — if you’re doing it right.” No, this doesn’t involve turning the living room into a dumpster. It means tossing notions of success as the endgame. Despite the curve balls, a life devoid of
foul-ups means you may be living in an emotional bunker. New SRT Self-Talk: “Of course I’ll mess up, but I can and will learn to manage some chaos and mess-ups — and live to see another day. It sure beats tapping my foot and going nowhere.”
The SRT Principle: “Perfection is a myth perpetrated by people who want to sell you whole body deodorant for pits and privates.” Take a shower. You smell good. Like a person should. Perfection is both impossible and a dangerous goal as it’s... hmm, impossible. New SRT Self-Talk: “My most real and satisfying goal is to try to be the very best I can be with determination and feel joy in the journey, even if imperfect!” The SRT Principle: “Nothing dooms the creative impulse faster than an inattentive spirit.” Wake and get your woked working! (For you Z-ers.) New SRT Self-Talk: “The chin must say ‘I will,’ so I must identify my passion and then plan specifically so my days are marked with perspiration and grand anticipation to go from wishing to doing. I will see a day without perspiration to follow my passion is like an eagle without wings.”
Advice continued It took Albert Einstein over a decade to come up with E=MC2. Imagine if, in the first month, his filled backboard led him to B=ND2. Apart from my astounding lack of knowledge of physics, imagine if the good professor had said, “Ach.” And he quit.
THE SRT PRINCIPLE: “Anxiety is the metastasis of emotional chaos.” What we fear should, might, or could happen — the result of being terrified of not knowing — is a bigger waste of time and energy than joining dating sites for Millionaires Looking for Loving Retirees. New SRTSelf-Talk: “There are few, if any, absolutes. The best-laid anythings can and will be at some time mislaid, unlaid, and unmade. The ability to manage the unexpected is our greatest challenge to our emotional health.”
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The SRT Principle: “One of the biggest errors humans make is assuming others see the world as we do.” Expecting or judging others by what we would do and how we feel may cause our spleen to bile up as we assign all sorts of incorrect, even evil presumptions, to our victims, which may or may not be accurate. New SRT Self-Talk: “I must accept the very real fact that people don’t always see things my way. Before presuming, I’ll get more information, compare notes, put myself in the other person’s position, and if necessary, calmly negotiate important differences.” The SRT Principle: “Care more about keeping up with ourselves than keeping up with others—or appearances.” I know a hostess who can set a table that would have Camilla checking her Emily Post. All’s swell. Except she yells at her guests! Should a poor invitee drop a fish fork, she turns into the mad hatter. Needless to say, her guests leave gyrating and insane. New SRT Self-Talk: “I’d rather be a fulfilled, loving, empathetic, energized creative writing student than a tax lawyer... although it takes an uncommon love of spam. I refuse to be an actor in my own life!” And finally, “The best strategy in the matter of giving uninvited constructive criticism — shut up!” A
Marnie Macauley, MS, Columbia University – Creator of Strategic Relationship Thinking (an innovative way to solve problems), writer, editor, author, lecturer, clinician, and administrator – is a straightshooter, with a distinctive voice and take on the world in her columns, features and books. She has been nominated for both an Emmy and a Writers Guild award.
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Phil Bresnick
Portfolio Manager Senior Vice President | Financial Advisor 101 West Broadway, Suite 1800 San Diego, CA 92101 619-668-4334 philip.bresnick@morganstanley.com advisor.morganstanley.com/the-bresnick-group CA Insurance Lic. #0A05261 / NMLS #1401662
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p: 619.563.8000 | f: 619.704.0206 gkornfeld@kornfeldandlevy.com
1596 N. Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs, CA 92262 | (760) 325-2127
Gary Kornfeld Certified Public Accountant
Design Decor Production
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LYDIA KRASNER 619.548.3485 www.MitzvahEvent.com member of lydia@mitzvahevent.com
44 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
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Direct Diamond Importers specializing in custom design & manufacture and repairs while you watch Fine Jewelry
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46 | SDJEWISHJOURNAL.COM January 2025
“A moving homage to friendship.” — ART FUSE
SAN DIEGO PREMIERE
JAN 8–FEB 2 In its San Diego premiere, THE HEART SELLERS presents a poignant depiction of intelligent, curious, and creative women facing the trials of a new country, focusing on the Asian immigrant experience. Filled with emotion, this play delves into themes of the human condition, examining relationships and desires with a compelling mix of drama and humor. This moving play invites you to explore the intricacies of the human heart. DIRECTED BY KAT YEN
858-481-1055 | northcoastrep.org | GROUP SALES 858-481-2155, x202
THEExhilarating MULTI -AWARD -WINNING MUSICAL An Award-Winning Musical!
ONCE
directed by Kerry Meads
ION TRIBUNE SAN DIEGO UN SCENE
DIEGO TIMES OF SAN
1142 ORANGE AVE • CORONADO
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photos by Ken Jacques
A Huge Hit when we presented the regional premiere of this glorious Irish Musical in 2018. Seven years later we’re bringing back almost all the original cast of fabulous actor/singer/dancer/ musicians for another run!
E!” C I O H C S ’ C I T I R “C “FABULOUS!” “!” “Not to be ed!” s s i m PLAYERS THEATRE 619.437.6000
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