SAN DIEGO
Jewish Journal Decemb er
2020 K
islev | Tevet | 5 781
THE ARTS ISSUE
See page 30 for a Special Thank You to Create a Jewish Legacy Society Members
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2 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 3
bh Chabad of S Diego Presents
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4 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE, WHO DO ISRAELIS DEPEND ON? THEY DEPEND ON YOU.
Magen David Adom is Israel’s official ambulance, blood-services, and disaster-relief organization. MDA has been on the front lines in the fight against coronavirus while also contending with terrorist attacks, car accidents, and other threats to Israeli lives. But Magen David Adom is not government-funded. Its 25,000 EMTs and paramedics, most of them volunteers, rely on support from people like you for the supplies and equipment they need to perform their lifesaving work. There are many ways to support Israel, but none that has a greater impact on its people than a gift to Magen David Adom. Your support isn’t just changing lives — it’s literally saving them. Support Magen David Adom at afmda.org/chanukah
afmda.org
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 5
CONTENTS
Kislev | Tevet 5781 December 2020
24 34 38
HANUKKAH
History, Mystery, and A New Way for You to Celebrate
ARTS
Polaroids and Pencils Dazzle at SDMA
MONTHLY COLUMNS
IN THIS ISSUE
10 From the Editor 16 Personal Development and Judaism 18 Israeli Lifestyle 20 Examined Life 22 Religion 48 Advice
IN EVERY ISSUE 12 What’s Up Online 14 Our Town 41 Food 6 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
ARTS
La Jolla Playhouse’s Hyperresponsive Digital Shows 45 Diversions 46 News
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 31 ARTS: JCC’s Arts & Ideas: Redefined 33 ARTS: North Coast Rep: Theatre As a Celebration 36 HANUKKAH: Circling Hanukkah with “Sweet Light” 38 ARTS: The Virtual and the Local
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Don Lincoln, CFP®, CIMA® Don Lincoln, CFP®, CIMA® 12531 High Bluff 400STE 400 12531 HighDrive, Bluff STE Drive, Senior Vice President-‐ Investments Senior Vice President-‐ Investments CA 92130 CA Insurance Lic #0821851 San Diego, CA 92130 CA Insurance Lic #0821851San Diego, don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com 858-523-7904 858-523-7904
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©2009 Wells Fargo Advisors, All rights –v188580 -0312-2590 (e7460) (e7460) ©2009 Wells Fargo LLC. Advisors, LLC. reserved. All rights 88580 reserved. –v1 -0312-2590 jeffrey.liber@wfadvisors.com don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com jeffrey.liber@wfadvisors.com don.lincoln@wfadvisors.com Investment and Insurance Products offered through affiliates:affiliates: !NOT FDIC Insured !NO Bank Guarantee Investment and Insurance Products offered through !NOT FDIC Insured !NO Bank Guarantee !MAY Lose Value YeseniaYesenia Gil !MAY Lose Value Gina Grimmer Gil Gina Grimmer
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 7
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 9
Editor’s Picks
I
t’s the end of the (secular) year and it’s traditional that we have our December issue be the double-themed issue of Hanukkah and the Arts. Also very exciting is that this issue was too full! We had too many articles too good to pass up, so I’m going to use my column space to give my arts and culture picks. This will be similar to “Online Offerings” that we have been running for the last couple months, but with my biased commentary. These are my arts and culture picks for December. Some of these venues are featured in the magazine this month and expanded upon in larger articles. These are just my top picks for some of the most engaging arts and culture offerings we have locally. One of the great joys of my job is being continually impressed by the rigor, talent and quality of our local arts scene.
Having it planned specifically for digital viewing has made for some really creative and interesting ideas and enabled them to be flexible to add or extend shows. The Old Globe / Arts Engagement The Globe very quickly pivoted to putting their wide, vibrant selection of engagement programs online. There are too many to list, but I highly encourage anyone who is interested in participatory theater or any of the behind-the-scenes of making theater to go look through their offerings. What has impressed me is that they’ve really made the idea of engaging with theater professionals community-oriented in a way that doesn’t feel schmaltzy. The programming is both unpretentious and not watered down for wider appeal.
La Jolla Playhouse / WOW Digital The playhouse changed their annual Without Walls (WOW) festival to feature brandnew work made for this time we are living in. One WOW Digital piece “Walks of Life” is audio-based and asks you to walk around your own neighborhood while listening. Also playing with the idea of space is “You Are Here” which takes you on a Google Earth road trip.
San Diego Symphony / Symphony Stream The San Diego Symphony has been consistently uploading small performances, recordings of past shows and even their Lunch & Listen podcast which has a conversation with a musician and a performance. Truthfully, I’m not well-versed in classical music, but the Lunch & Listens are a nice friendly entryway to get invited to
From The Editor 10 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
learn a little more. CEO Martha Gilmer makes an engaged and interested host and the tone is friendly and conversational. Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego: Digital / Charlas (Talks) The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) has been putting together conversations between interesting exhibiting artists and museum staff. Seeing these artists either comfortably in their homes or studios get to talk about their inspirations and process with a knowledgeable interviewer has been quite compelling. At the end of the interview, they also take live audience questions. P.S. I share in the disappointment of not being able to see family for the holiday. Be patient and we can get through this. To paraphrase a quote: We celebrate separately for now, so when we gather again, no one is missing. A
Jacqueline Bull
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 11
what’s up
online
@sdjewishjournal.com
Eatery said to be world’s 1st lab-grown meat restaurant opens near Tel Aviv The world’s first lab-grown meat restaurant has opened near Tel Aviv, the Los Angeles-based VegNews reported. The eatery, whose name is “The Chicken”–a reference to the pseudo-intellectual quandary over whether it precedes the egg or the other way around–is adjacent to the factory of its mother company, SuperMeat, in the Tel Aviv suburb of Nes Tziona, according to a VegNews report from last week. Tables must be reserved in advance and patrons do not pay as the restaurant is still in test phase, Walla reported. They are, however, requested to answer questions or offer feedback. The menu of The Chicken features two burgers made of “crispy cultured chicken fillet” grown from cells in SuperMeat’s factory.
2021 Grammy Awards: All the Jewish nominees, from Haim to an orchestral ‘Diary of Anne Frank’ adaptation This year’s Grammy Awards had several Jewish artists make the nominations list. Ranging all the way from the sister rock band Haim to comedian Tiffany Haddish, these are the Jewish artists who made the biggest impact on the recording industry this year. Leading the way are the Jewish Haim sisters–Alana, Danielle, and Este–who are nominated for album of the year for “Women in Music Pt. III,” and for best rock performance for their song “The Steps.” The album, which is their third, was released in June to rave reviews. Jack Antonoff–the Jewish musician who has become a go-to producer for some of the industry’s biggest pop stars and often wears a Star of David in public–is up for producer of the year, for his recent work with Taylor Swift, The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks), FKA Twigs and Sia. He received another nod for his work on Taylor Swift’s album “folklore.” Also nominated for producer of the year is Jewish musician Dan Auerbach, the frontman for the rock band The Black Keys, for his work on music by CeeLo Green, Early James, Marcus King and others. His father is of Polish Jewish heritage. Breakout Jewish rapper Doja Cat (real name Amalaratna Zandile Dlamini) had a standout 2020 after going viral on TikTok and is nominated for best new artist. Her hit song “Say So” also received nominations for record of the year and best solo pop performance. She was born to a Jewish mother and non-Jewish South African father in California.
Moderna’s Israeli chief medical officer helps spread his company’s good COVID vaccine news
As the American drug company Moderna announced that it had developed a COVID-19 vaccine that is 94.5% effective, Israeli scientist Tal Zaks was among the company leaders touting the good news to the media. That’s because Zaks, who earned a doctorate at Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba, is the chief medical officer at Moderna and has been involved in overseeing its unprecedentedly rapid push for a coronavirus vaccine. “The overall effectiveness has been remarkable … it’s a great day,” he told BBC News. In an interview last month with The Jerusalem Post, Zaks said he moved to the United States because it offered him a greater chance to “fulfill my dream and translate science into medicine.”“I hope that Israel will continue to develop its bio-tech sector. Wherever I can be most effective is where you’ll find me,” the 54-year-old scientist said. 12 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
Back Into Focus
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 13
our TOWN BY LINDA BENNETT & EMILY BARTELL
Talia and Noah Baird at their B’nai Mitzvah.
Mazel Tov to
Noah and Talia Baird on becoming a B’nai Mitzvah on October 10th at their family home in Carlsbad. Happy parents are Daniel & Becky Cherlin Baird. Grandparents Ed & Sue Cherlin and Carol & Stephen Baird looked on with pride. Leading the service was Rabbi Berk and Cantor Billy Tiep of Temple Solel. Two Torahs (one of which was rescued from the Holocaust), were brought over from the temple for the occasion. Mazel Tov to San Diego native David Feldman & Paulie Faktor on the announcement of their engagement. David is the son of Suzi & Bernie Feldman. Happy grandparents are Lee & Frank Goldberg and Zane & Alice Feldman. Mazel Tov to Nancy Geist on the marriage of her grandson Steven Dunst to Tracy Lansing on Aug. 1st in Los Angeles. Officiating was Rabbi Bill Kaplan of the Shalom Institute of Malibu. In attendance were immediate family only, including Grandma Nancy herself, Steven’s parents Ginger Geist Dunst & Sol Dunst, Aunt & Uncle Mary & Jon Epsten and brother Andrew Dunst. Mazel Tov to Amanda Bloom and Christopher Larson on their marriage. The wedding took place on Nov. 7th at the home of Amanda’s eldest sibling, Jeffrey R. Bloom and his wife, Brittany, in Alpine. Amanda is the daughter of Jeffrey & Yvonne Bloom. Yom Huledets Sameach to… Marty Freedman celebrating his 90th birthday.
Celebrating Wedding Anniversaries with infinite love & happiness, Mazel Tov to… Judith & Henry Krumholz, 53 years. Bebe & Marvin Zigman, 65 years. Geri & Donald Shaevel, 68 years. A
14 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 15
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND JUDAISM
THIS WAY TO EDEN by Rachel Eden rachel.s.eden@gmail.com
Courage Without Attachment
R
obert Kiyosaki has made a career out of educating people about the prosperity and money mindset. He teaches that there are three men that live inside each one of us: A rich man, a poor man and a man of moderate means. The man in the middle craves stability above all. He will spend his life taking a paycheck from someone else and staying in a job that he knows he can do. His desire for security exceeds his need for fulfillment, happiness, or ambition. The poor man lives in fear. He is terrified that his sustenance will be diminished or eliminated altogether as a result of changes to his environment. His attachment to fear distracts him from anything other than a white-knuckle grip on his plate. Lastly, the rich man has courage. He has no attachment to a consistent paycheck. He knows he will fail and he knows he will rebuild. An interview circulated on social media after the recent passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, may his righteous memory be for a blessing. In it, the Rabbi is asked if he had a deeper insight on why bad things happened to good people. He said as a matter of fact, he did have a thought: G-d does not want us to know why bad things happen because we should not co-exist peacefully with perceived injustice or evil. Rather, we should spend our lives fighting for light and healing. The outcome is secondary to the courageous effort. British comedian, Jack Dee, did not know what he was going to do with his life. He had worked as a shopkeeper, delivery boy, hospital porter, car valet, laborer, night se-
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curity man, office cleaner, shelf-stacker and guy-who-wears-a-sandwich-board-in-thestreet. By 1986, he had returned to waiting tables and was blindsided by a phone call from his then-girlfriend Alice, summarily dumping him. Heartbroken and miserable, no prospects or money, dumped and in a job he despised, Jack Dee did something he could only do without a relationship. He visited London’s Comedy Store. The act he saw was very funny and something inside of Jack rekindled. Then, an announcement was made, inviting anyone from the crowd to join in the late-night open mic slot. The novices came on and after a lackluster attempt at humor, each one left the stage somewhat embarrassed. Jack Dee, however, had nothing to lose. He signed up for the latest slot. When his turn came, with no plan, he found himself walking into the spotlight and saying sincerely deadpan: “It’s great to be here.” That line garnered his first laugh ever. Following a long awkward pause, a heckler yelled: “C’mon, tell us a joke!” to which Jack Dee retorted, “No.” That set off his second laugh ever. At this point, Jack had an idea. He asked, “Anyone here from Finland?” Of course no one was and he muttered just loudly enough to be heard, “well, that’s my act messed up then”. This time the laughter was loud and long. Jack Dee’s life turned around from hopeless to hopeful when he summoned the internal courage to act without any attachment to the outcome. With the holiday of Hanukkah fast approaching, it is worth taking a second look at the Maccabean revolt precipitated by
the Priest Matityahu’s refusal to sacrifice a pig to the Greek gods. The faith of those involved in the Jewish rebellion must have been epic. The most optimistic estimates of the Maccabean army hovers at no more than 12,000 men compared with the 40,000 Greek troops. Moreover, in contrast to their Jewish counterparts, the Greeks were professionally trained soldiers with state-of-the-art equipment including war elephants. When Matityahu heroically refuses to participate in worshiping other gods, he states: “Even if all the nations that live under the rule of the king obey him… I and my sons and my brothers will live by the covenant of our fathers...We will not obey the king’s word by turning aside from our religion to the right or to the left.” It’s clear from his words that the outcome of a revolt had no bearing on his decision to fight. Rather than attachment to outcome, Matityahu’s focus was on his courageous stance alone. (The quote is adapted from: “The Revolt of the Maccabees”, Crash Course in Jewish History by Ken Spiro). From Robert Kiyosaki to Rabbi Sacks zt”l; from Jack Dee to Matityahu the Priest; whether spiritual leaders or common folks; happiness, meaning and success are within reach. We don’t need confidence, special abilities, or a large following to become powerful forces and a light to the world. A person who acts courageously without any attachment to outcome is an unstoppable force on his own. A
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 17
ISRAELI LIFESTYLE
LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE by Andrea Simantov andreasimantov@gmail.com
Blinded By The Light
P
erhaps an understatement, 2020 has been a year of surprises.‘Know-it-alls’ have been outed as ‘know-nothings’. Primary and secondary education is piecemeal and unstructured. Standards of living are being reassessed. Many relationships have grown strained. And we hope, hope, hope that our efforts toward protecting our health and the health of loved ones is sufficient. The husband and I try not to talk too much about the near seismic shifts that have affected our lives. My car sits dusty and undriven in the communal lot with nowhere to go. After seven months of no in-person interaction with family members, the online meeting experience has grown stale. Instead of sharing, emoting, growing in our relationships, we now relate information and statistics. “What did you eat today, Mom?”; “Do all of the girls in your class do their Zoom assignments?”; “I won’t talk to you until you see ‘The Queen’s Gambit!’” I work sporadically, whenever the government shouts “Go!” and shut down with equal haste. Even the resident spinning-bike and bench press are beginning to rust. If not for the recent acquisition of a lively two-year old Border Collie/ Saluki, I would probably not switch out of house-slippers. The best walks are at 5:00 a.m.. The world smells sweet, the streets are clean, empty and reverie comes easy. During the pre-dawn walks, I think of my grandson, the ‘one who is sick.’ The one for
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whom WhatsApp tehillim psalm groups were formed. The one who is the topic of medical study in research institutions. The one who was not expected to live. Yes, that’s the one. “Y” is the child who defied odds, lived past expectations, met and surpassed typical milestones and melts hearts with his infectious smile and boisterous laugh. He is the child who I only held twice because in those pre-Covid days–even while masked–I feared infecting him. I would not hold him despite my daughter’s encouragement. I feared that I would love him so much that I couldn’t bear an unbearable outcome. My strong-as-iron, wise and mysterious daughter seemed to understand. She understood so much. She carried so much. I cannot imagine what her 5:00 a.m. mornings must have felt like. Shielding three other children from the uncertainties, the ‘what ifs’, comforting them when they returned home from school deeply upset because of something they overheard from classmates about their sick baby brother. She was the embodiment of clarity and strength in a world of IV drips, hospital beeps and whispers. Her soft, vulnerable underbelly remained hidden from me, cowering, powerless, pained. And so it was that on the eve of the Festival of Light, our multi-nation prayer-group, initiated on May 7, 2018, was stunned with the blessed news that all of Y’s benign tumors, save one, are gone. He can live a long and
healthy life. We were encouraged to keep him in our prayers but the group is being disbanded. Many women wrote to say “Thank G-d! You must be so relieved!” I continually reply with, “Yes. It is a miracle. I am so grateful.” What I do not say is that it was never about me and that the terror, sadness and impotence born of not being able to ‘fix it’ rendered me numb–and ashamed; that I could not wrest the pain from my daughter’s home, bake cookies, kiss the boo-boo and promise illness-free tomorrows but, instead, merely sat on the sidelines and observed what I could not repair. An overseas grandma can, at best, provide cyber-succor when a holy family is in crisis. Forget the gaudily wrapped presents. Take or leave the sufganiyot and potato latkes. Hanukkah is all about light. Light that dispels darkness, regaling us year-in-year-out with a message about illumination when days are bleak. Hanukkah is meant to be lived, absorbed into our DNA and revisited at will when all feels hopeless. A collective narrative is ours for the making. Despite pandemics, ugly politics and uncertainties when once we felt safe, it behooves us to remember that there is always a small, flickering flame that can be fanned with faith and a deep-seated understanding that hidden blessings are waiting to be both discovered and kindled. A
WE WI SH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LOTS OF LOVE AND LIGHT THI S YEAR.
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 19
EXAMINED LIFE
OUR EMOTIONAL FOOTPRINT by Saul Levine, M.D., Professor Emeritus in Psychiatry at UCSD slevine@ucsd.edu
Canada and the United States: Different Peas in a Pod
D
uring these surreal times, there have been increased tensions between the United States and Canada, the country of my birth. There has been growing unease expressed by Canadians about their southern neighbors (neighbours in Canada!), especially since Donald Trump became President. As a “dual citizen” of both countries, I’ve been asked about my perspective on their similarities and differences. I was educated in Canada and the United States, have lived decades in each country and have close family, social and professional ties in both. I’m immersed in their social and political issues and their relationship affects me personally. There are indeed similarities; both were originally populated by indigenous peoples who were largely supplanted (or worse) by Caucasians who emigrated to these shores centuries ago. The early immigrants introduced features of their home cultures, like languages, customs, products and enterprises. They brought different foods and libations, guns and advanced weaponry and inadvertently, new bacteria and viruses (for which there was no immunity). They also brought fervent religious beliefs and attempted to convert the “heathen” natives to their Christian G-d. The newcomers were convinced of their intellectual and moral superiority, the supremacy of their laws, educational precepts and systems of justice. These were often cruelly imposed in the name of “improving” the lives of the native populations. 20 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
Canada and the U.S. have lived in relative harmony for over two centuries and share the longest contiguous international border in the world. There are salient differences between these countries. They have distinct histories, cultural figures and leaders, two official languages (English and French) and different systems of government: Canada has a parliamentary system headed by a Prime Minister and the U.S. is a republic headed by a President. Canada is a ‘social democracy,’ which some Americans call “socialism.” Canadians see themselves–and are seen by many abroad–as more socially progressive, communal and courteous than Americans. These and other benevolent traits like kindness, tolerance, humility and decency are proclaimed as stereotypic traits of Canadians. Canadians take great pride in their national health care system (contrasting their success with the coronavirus), strong social support systems, low-cost preschool, elementary, high school and college education, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and other federal institutions. Harsh winters are emblematic of Canada, but they are also beautiful and Canadians enjoy sports like skiing, sledding, curling and of course the primal worship of hockey (northern states also partake in these delights). Canada has “produced” many famous artists, scientists, authors and athletes, but there is no denying that the artistic, commercial
and scientific achievements of the United States have dwarfed its contributions. This is not surprising as Canada’s population is less than ten percent of its southern neighbor. The community of Canada’s citizens has been described as a “vertical mosaic,” extolling the diversity and differences in its multi-cultural composition, as opposed to the American idealized model of a “melting pot,” where the goal was to subsume ethnic differences into a common set of ideals. In actuality, both models are still ‘works in progress,’ not fully achieved. Living adjacent to the United States can feel oppressive: Fifty years ago, the thenPrime Minister of Canada Pierre Elliott Trudeau (father of current Prime minister Justin Trudeau) described this relationship, “Like a mouse sleeping with an elephant… rather dangerous,” and “When the United States sneezes, Canada catches a cold.” The “American Dream” was until recently an inspiring beacon to the world, its ideals expressed in The Declaration of Independence (“…self-evident truths…all men(sic) created equal…inalienable rights…Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness”), the Bill of Rights (“Speech, Assembly, Religion, Press”) and the words of poet Emma Lazarus on the iconic Statue of Liberty (“Give me your tired, your poor…”). But Canadians have long had a complicated relationship with their continental neighbors. While they are proud of their national health and social programs and the relative absence of guns and violence, they are fully
aware that many conservative Americans see these progressive programs as dangerous and “socialistic.” There are varying degrees of jealousy and awe at American brio and accomplishments and its power and position on the world stage, but that jealousy and awe have often been accompanied by derision and hostility. Many Canadians are critical of America’s historical relationship with violence (the Civil War, slavery, taming of the West, gun ownership, school and other shootings) and with extremism (militias, xenophobia and other prejudices). While America is supposedly engaged in evolving a “more perfect union,” this idealism has been confounded by the perpetual struggle between its citizens’ “better angels” and their “worst instincts.” Especially in these stressful times, people adopt stereotypes, exaggerated personality traits of “the other,” depending on whether the beholder is drawn to or repelled. Americans have been positively described by Canadians as outgoing, confident and assertive, or criticized as bombastic, selfish and aggressive (particularly during the Trump administration). Canadians have been positively described by Americans as modest, respectful and tolerant, or negatively, as boring and withdrawn. In reality of course, there is no predictive validity of national stereotypes or of individual personality traits. Neither country is without its problems, but citizens of each are like people everywhere: They enjoy and elate in good times, worry during difficulties, love their families and friends and are, for the most part, cooperative and resilient, kind and trustworthy. There are certain areas of concern which particularly challenge the United States: There are greater demands on individuals and families (in contrast to Canada’s health, social and educational supports). Repetitive experiences with aggression, guns and violence threaten the social fabric and sense of belonging and community. The brutal effects of slavery still linger, while prejudice, racism and extremism undermine the foundational ideals. Disparities between the ultra-wealthy and the needy contribute to polarization, demoralization and authoritarianism. In spite of the litany of contrasts, living in both countries has been instructive, enhancing and even inspiring. The different depictions in perceived national stereotypes do a disservice to the majority of citizens of both countries. I am deeply moved by the remarkable roles of immigrants to both countries and the diversity of races, ethnicities, languages and beliefs which contribute to their robust cultures. Canada and the United States have their share of weaknesses and problems, but there are constant attempts to rectify and improve. There are as many differences within each country as there are between the countries themselves, which serve to enhance their cultural richness. Both countries are living demonstrations of human advances in human communities and the arts and sciences. Both are evolving (over time) in beneficial directions, their trajectorial arcs bending towards progress and justice. I have worked with, learned from, taught and communed with many fine people in each nation. I admire and feel personally close to the kind, creative and honorable (honourable as well) people of both extraordinary countries. We are all the better for their uniqueness, which enhances and ennobles both nations. A
Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 21
RELIGION
POST-POLITICAL by Rabbi Jacob Rupp myrabbiben@gmail.com
Escaping My Past Through Over Macho-ism
A
s soon as I became religious, I stopped painting.
in Walnut Creek (remember that?). I grew up advocating for my mom and as the descendent of proud California libI painted for all my life–sketched, drew, eral feminists (on my maternal side), had no watched sunsets. Hell, I even did ballet for problem embracing my ‘creative’ side. Like I three years. said, my mom encouraged me in every way And then, as the great Billy Joel sings, to express myself–when I started taking bal“The music died.” The creativity left. I used let in middle school, they told me that even to be a huge music fan but even that shift- football players take ballet. Well, I didn’t ed. Granted I love (some) Jewish music. And play football. I love at least one or two Jewish musicians. But I always saw my creative side as a But alas, for a kid growing up on Tupac and weakness. And I hated being weak. My good Toby Keith, the Grateful Dead and Guns friend to this day shamed me about watchand Roses, somehow I felt like I packed a bit ing the sunset over the cliffs in La Jolla and I (ok all) of myself in a box and put it in the actually stopped going because I didn’t want attic to gather dust when I became religious. to be a pansy. Now, this isn’t a knock on religiosity or I was excited to find my fraternity (is being becoming more Jewishly observant. Clearly obese and drinking too much while screamas a rabbi for over fifteen years, I’m not sell- ing swear words masculine? Uh, maybe?). ing something I don’t believe in. And my next masculinity fix was hitting the That being said, I wish I had done it dif- gym. But let’s be honest, I was confused. ferently. I wish I hadn’t felt like I had to cut I mean it when I say that the structure of off a part of myself when I became obser- Orthodox Judaism, and the answers, calmed vant. me–calmed my soul. I did the best with what I had, and G-d I’m happy that it probably saved me from had a plan, so I am sharing this for whoever a different path. Because the more I learned might benefit. Because there’s no reason you about how impressionable youth can be, the should have to hide part of who you are to more thrilled I am that I found Torah and be religious or to feel okay. Judaism, because I probably could have just I came by my “feminine side” or my cre- as easily joined a cult or joined Al-Qaeda. ative side naturally. (Ok, you got me. Al-Qaeda probably doesn’t My dad left when I was a junior in high take ballet dancers, or Jews). school. He was an alcoholic and the last time Anyway, I became religious and I stopped I saw him, I accidentally bumped into him painting. And then after three or four years (read ‘saw him across the room and hid be- in my new lifestyle with a wife and at least hind a shelf of books’) in a Barnes and Noble one, maybe three or four kids on the way, I 22 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
found more macho stuff. Crossfit. Weight Loss. Cars. Business. Money. Fighting. When I put on gloves and kick a bag, or get someone in a really good choke, I feel unstoppable. Yet a part of me was missing. And I’m grateful that a dear friend and mentor intervened. Somehow he heard or saw that I painted. He asked me to paint him a picture. I painted the Kotel. He bought it and put it on his mantle. I’m honored. He’s got Jacob Rupp’s only painting. 1 of 1. R’Avhram Kook, a brilliant, deeply misunderstood soul (I can’t claim I understand his writing, but the ideas I do understand speak to my soul) spoke about how spirituality is a quest to find yourself. That you can’t return to G-d without turning to yourself– knowing yourself, loving yourself. So deep down, I know there’s the painter there. He’s sitting next to the guy that cries at sunsets and longs for G-d who is sitting next to the guy that takes his kid to the shooting range, feels the ache in his arms to hit someone or something (boxing, not assaulting anyone) and listening to Too $hort and Dr. Dre. And guess what? It’s not conventional, that’s for sure. But it’s me. And it’s masculine to be my own man. That ballet-dancing boxer who feels happy at the shooting range or with a paintbrush in his hands. I don’t feel like I need to hide it anymore. Ok. Your turn. Are you hiding a part of yourself that you wish you hadn’t let go? A
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 23
Hanukkah: History, Mystery, and A New Way for You to Celebrate BY JUDITH FEIN
I
just spent a chunk of time researching the origin of Hanukkah, and the information is as varied as the spellings of the holiday: Hanukkah, Hanuka, Chanukkah. I have gone to Jewish sources, historical sources and I think you’ll be as interested as I am in the various lenses through which you can view this beloved festival, which takes place as the days get shorter and the nights are longer. Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, because the events happened after it was written. The story appears in the Books of the Maccabees, which are part of the Apocrypha and it’s interesting to note that they make no mention of the miracle of the oil. Traditionally, Hanukkah was a minor holiday, but now it has blossomed into a favorite Winter celebration that includes a lighting of the menorah, gift giving, lots of latkes, family bonding, playful gambling and pride in Jewish identity and practices. We’ll talk about the miraculous aspect of it, but first let’s see what some experts say, whether the story is history, legend, or a blend of the two and where the writers and experts agree or offer different possible interpretations. The story took place during a turbulent period in the history of the land of Israel.
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Miracle 1: It was a miracle to arrive in Minkowitz, the shtetl my grandmother and my husband Paul’s grandfather came from.
Judea (which was known as Israel) was then under the control of the Hellenistic Seleucid king of Syria, Antiochus III. He tolerated Jews practicing their religion, but his son Antiochus IV Epiphanes was reportedly an oppressive dude who did not. He ordered Jews to worship Greek g-ds and also outlawed practices like Shabbat, circumcision and the celebration of festivals. In 186 B.C.E., his soldiers descended on Jerusalem, massacred thousands of Jews and desecrated the Second Temple by building an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs there. According to some accounts, Jews were given two horrific options, repeated many centuries later during the Inquisition: convert or die. We Jews have always been an independent and feisty lot and there was a rebellion against Greek-Syrian rule under the military leadership of Judah, a Maccabean of the Hasmonian family dynasty. The story goes that although Judah’s forces were greatly outnumbered, they won two decisive battles and routed the Seleucids. Judah proudly called on his victorious rebels to cleanse the Temple, reconstruct the sacred altar and light the 7-branched, golden candelabrum that was supposed to keep burning every day, much
like the ner tamid light in synagogues today. Alas, according to legend, there was only enough purified oil to burn for one day, and–this is the miracle–it burned for eight days until the messenger who was sent for oil returned. And today, when, one by one, we light the candles of the menorah, we commemorate this. Some modern historians offer different interpretations. One of them is that under Antiochus IV, there was extreme polarization between two groups of Jews. One group adopted and embraced Greek and Syrian customs and the second was determined to impose Jewish traditions and laws, by force if necessary. Judah and his Maccabean brothers who helmed the latter group, won out and they freed Israel from the Seleucids and set in place an independent Jewish kingdom that lasted for a century. Another view is that during the revolt against the Seleucids, Jews were unable to hold their 8-day, highly important festival of Sukkot and Hanukkah was a delayed celebration of the holiday designed to parallel Sukkot. The holiday is associated with Jewish bravery and valor against an enemy with overwhelming odds; a
staunch refusal to accept idol worship; an ongoing struggle against assimilation and loss of Jewish identity; and the fight for autonomy and freedom to worship. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights and when the story of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days is recounted. The four letters on the dreidel or spinning top stand for the words Nes Gadol Haya Sham, “a great miracle happened there.” And when you spin the dreidel, depending upon which letter faces upward, you are required to add to the pot, do nothing, take some of the pot, or scoop up all of it. I have always been fascinated by the miracle of Hanukkah and the idea that there is Divine intervention in our lives. In my two decades of voyages around the world as a travel and culture journalist, I have been privileged to witness and participate in ceremonies, dances and songs, customs and observances of many different cultures, traditions, practices and religions. I was intrigued by many of them that involved telling stories and celebrating ancestors and historic or legendary events during their lives. On the remote islands of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, I witnessed an intimate dance that reenacted a battle that ancient ones won against an enemy that greatly outnumbered them. I heard tales of wondrous acts performed by ancestors and how they managed to transport stones that weighed tons without any modern tools or technology. In Tunisia, North Africa, I visited an ancient synagogue and listened to stories about Divine intervention that came through a legendary holy woman called the Ghriba. In a Zulu ceremony in South Africa, I witnessed the supernatural power of the ancestors invoked in healing. In Mexico, people credit saints with turning around hopeless physical, emotional and financial situations. In Taiwan, locals told tales of multitudes of wondrous events bestowed on them by their divinities. And one word appeared again and again around the world: miracle. I have also seen beautiful altars in homes and sanctuaries in Japan, China, Myanmar, Brazil, Cuba, Spain and Nigeria. There were offerings that honored ancestors, gave thanks for good fortune, remembered those who were gone, where prayers made manifest and were redolent with love and appreciation. I came to admire the concept of constructing an altar because, until then, I thought altars were places where animals and even humans had been sacrificed
long ago–and the idea made me shudder. One morning recently, I awoke from a dream about Hanukkah and the possibility of a meaningful new addition to joyous celebrations in our homes. I asked several rabbis if it was against Jewish law or custom to make an altar and they said no. As is appropriate for an eight-day festival, my dream has eight parts to prepare and implement the Hanukkah altar. 1. Take advantage of this holiday at the stillest time of year. Preparation offers the opportunity to go inward, be contemplative and quiet and do something intimate, personal and meaningful in addition to the celebratory eating, dreidel playing, songs and candles that burn brightly. 2. Decide to make your own altar of miracles, to honor the miracles both big and small that you have experienced throughout your life. Maybe you met someone you consider your bashert (predestined soul mate). Perhaps you have defied the odds and healed from an illness, or had great, unexpected success. Maybe you had the perfect baby, or had reconciliation with someone from whom you thought you would always be estranged. Or did you receive a Divine message about your purpose in your life? 3. Now you can decide HOW you will represent or express these miracles on your altar. You may write a poem, paint or draw it, compose a song, do a dance, play an instrument, choose a representative object, cook something with personal meaning, take a symbolic photo or find one you have. As you create or select objects, focus on the miracle itself and how it brought meaning, joy, release, or connection to your life. 4. If you live with family, friends, or roommates, invite them all to participate in the creation of the altar by adding their own miracles. If you live alone, it’s your altar for self-expression, creativity and connection. There is no limit to the number of objects you can place on the altar. 5. Choose a place in your home for the altar. It may be next to your menorah, or nearby. It can be designed for any other space. 6. Invite everyone who contributed to the miracle altar to talk about, explain, or perform it during Hanukkah once the altar has been created. 7. Listen to each other’s stories attentively. You may find out about surprising miracles in the lives of people you thought you knew everything about. Not only are the stories about miracles, but
also about the person’s reactions to them and the way the person represents them. 8. If you wish, you can share the altar with your close circle of friends and family through photos and writing, or you can invite them to the event on Zoom or any sharing apps you use. There is no time pressure or need to make the stories and explanations shorter than you feel they need to be. The days are shorter at Hanukkah time, so the tales can be longer to compensate. I would like to tell you about a miracle I want to express on my own altar. For the first three decades of my life, I was obsessed with Minkowitz, the tiny shtetl my grandmother came from in Eastern Europe, but I could never locate it. When I met my husband Paul, we discovered that, incredibly, his grandfather came from the same shtetl. I was finally able to locate it in Ukraine and we traveled there together. We were moved to tears and everything about the journey seemed to be divinely orchestrated. I trembled with awe, sadness, shock, and connection every minute of the time we spent in Minkowitz, and knew that it was a miracle that Paul and I found each other. I wrote a book about it, “The Spoon From Minkowitz,” and plan to put the book, photos, or both on my altar. I would love to hear about your miracle. I know that if you think about it, you have experienced at least one in your life and you have the creativity and storytelling ability to express it. From my house to yours, Happy Hanukkah, and may the miracles multiply in your life. A
Miracle 2: My husband Paul and I honored our Minkowitz ancestors with a gourmet spin on lox (made into a mousse) and pickle slices.
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 25
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 27
THE
ARTS
The artists from the “What is Theater Now?” discussion series.
The Virtual and the Local How the Old Globe Adapted and is Looking at 2021 BY JACQUELINE BULL
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his time last year, I prepared for an interview with Barry Edelstein, the Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director of the Old Globe, about their upcoming shows for 2020. I read up on all of the shows slated for that season and we had a stimulating conversation about theater and arts in general and what was special about each show. This year, many of those very shows are now expected to premiere in 2021 and if there is a French word for something that is half repeated exactly the same and half completely bizarre and strange, that is what I felt. The shape of the 2021 season is still up to the fates, but the Old Globe isn’t just waiting in dormancy, in fact as many of their programs have turned online, they are gaining international fans. “I can tell you what we’re looking at is a combination of digital material and virtual material, plus a physical season when it is safe to have that. In the meantime there will be material on the radio, so there will be audio work, material that is Zoom-based, ma-
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terial that is video-taped and streamed and there is going to be all our arts engagement work and some of our educational and humanities work as well,” Barry Edelstein said. “We are very pleased that so much of this has moved over to the digital realm so beautifully,” he added. A new program that was born to address the questions and challenges facing theater during this period is “What is Theater Now?” a series of discussions with six artists. “We ask six artists to enter into a conversation with us around that question ‘What should we be doing right now? Should we be doing virtual work? Should we be figuring out ways to do socially-distanced work that is live? Should we be doing work that is incorporating technology or work that tries to capture the essence of live theater without a lot of technological mediation or equipment?’ And so we’ve gathered these six artists and we have been having these series of conversations with them and these conversations have been now starting to crystalize on some interesting
projects and that will be part of what we roll out in 2021, I’m sure,” he said. he theater is a local art form,” Barry said. “You have to be in Balboa Park, seat F112 at 8 p.m. in order to experience the event. Now we are doing all this virtual work, theater is no longer local. And with some of the content that we’ve made we’ve been hearing from people literally all over the world. I did a series on Shakespeare’s sonnets and I got emails from New Zealand, from England, from the Middle East, from states all over the U.S.; and for a theater person, this is unusual. We know that our artform is about being in a specific place at a specific time and this digital realm has really changed that, so that has been a huge surprise and it has been a delightful surprise.” He explained that it was fantastic to imagine that the work they are doing would be meaningful to people in New Zealand. He expects that they will continue that work when they are back in the swing of live the-
T
ater. “Our arts engagement work which is based [on] the Globe going out in neighborhoods in San Diego to make participatory theater–we do a playwriting class, we do acting work, we do projects where communities make their own pieces of theater in collaboration with Globe artists–has migrated to the digital world very successfully. Our program called Community Voices has had an extremely successful transition to the virtual realm. The work we do with incarcerated populations called ‘Reflecting Shakespeare’ that has moved over to the virtual realm very, very successfully. So there has been that surprise and it has been very, very exciting to see that our arts engagement work doesn’t necessarily have to take place in person in order to be meaningful and in order to be impactful, so very happy about that and that is something we will continue post-pandemic as well.” Barry commented that these days he feels like he is part of a new media company. The adaptation is born out of necessity to keep in contact with their communities, audienc-
es and patrons and also simply to keep the lights on and their staff paid. “We’re desperate to get back to making live theater,” he said. do think a big part of the story is… that freelance artists are taking a brutal beating in this pandemic,” Barry said. The Globe had to furlough a great number of its full-time staff and also had to send 22 freelance artists–who were working on productions when they shut their doors– home. “These people are on the unemployment lines. The field which is made up overwhelmingly of freelancers is just being brutalized. And the most important point for those of us who run institutions to make is that even though we are in a huge jam trying to keep these institutions going, it is very different than the situation that those artists are in who don’t have that institutional infrastructure around them. This is why the government programs that are under consideration are so important: The Save Our Stages Act, a second version of the CARES Act, [and] the Be An Arts Hero initiative.
I
How can we expand unemployment benefits? How can we create grant programs? “It is important to remember that in the Great Depression, the federal government started a federal theater program in which there was just a massive infusion of resources into the American Theater to keep theater artists intact during that terrible period of time. I hope that the federal government– which is frankly the only body that can do anything about this–will step up and do the right thing and provide relief in concrete, programmatic ways to the artists of the American theater–artists who are writers, singers, dancers and sculptors–because otherwise the pandemic is going to crush the American culture and that would be a massive loss, so at the Globe we are very visibly advocating. We are advocating with local, state and federal officials to remember that artists are workers too, that artists are people with jobs and families and mortgages to pay and kids to educate. And so we really hope that our advocacy will be effective and we will be able to help the freelance sector survive this.” A
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Call 760-633-7245 to schedule an appointment or visit Scripps.org for more information . 29 Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com or visit Scripps.org for more information .
30 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
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JCC’s Arts & Ideas: Redefined BY NATHALIE FEINGOLD
J
CC Arts & Ideas heads into uncharted territory with their first fully-virtual, fully free programming this year. The Center for Jewish Culture (CJC) hopes this decision will lower the barriers, thus expanding on community and connection during a time when many are feeling isolated. “Everybody needs the arts, now more than ever,” Ryan Isaac, the director of cultural arts at the Lawrence Family JCC, said. The Arts & Ideas logo, itself, was even revamped this year; it now features a bold slash next to it. Ryan says the “slash” was a design choice intended to symbolize multi-hyphenate actors/authors and artists/activists who refuse to be defined by just one thing. Ryan took inspiration for this symbol from individuals who used their large platforms to speak out amidst the turmoil caused by the pandemic and civil unrest–essentially expanding their roles and responsibilities beyond what their brand is most commonly known. “Suddenly, people who had platforms, people who had achieved those platforms through different means and talents, were speaking up and speaking out. We were all inspired by people leaving their comfort zones and not worrying about how it might look to their audience or how they might alienate themselves to some because they were standing up for what they believed in,” Ryan said. Deb Perlman, the author of the Smitten Kitchen blog, mother and wife, became the informal poster child for this season after writing a NY Times article about the difficulties of being a working parent during COVID-19. She will also be hosting a brunch as part of this year’s programming.
“She became the poster child for what I wanted this season to look like, talented people who are using their success and their talents to espouse other messages and to fight for what they believe in,” Ryan explained. The CJC kept that in mind when looking for talent to book for this Arts & Ideas season. “A lot of it was guided by searching for people who fit that “slash” profile, keeping an eye out for people who were speaking up and using their voices for new reasons publicly,” Ryan explained. Ryan highlighted several actors/authors/ parents/activists/artists who he is excited to host this season. On Jan. 14, Arts & Ideas will host actor/impressionist Kevin Pollak; known for acting in critically acclaimed movies, “The Usual Suspects,” “A Few Good Men,” and presently, the Amazon original series, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” On Mar. 4, they host actor Michael Ian Black on his book tour. Michael is best known for his portrayal of McKinley in “Wet Hot American Summer” (2001). Michael recently wrote a book called: “A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son,” where he shares advice he learned from his experience as a father. “For me in that there’s the nice ability to bring someone in who’s known for his acting and his comedic work, and also now let’s listen to him as a dad,” Ryan explained. Next year, comic/author Bess Kalb will also be joining them on her book tour. Bess will be sharing her book titled: “Nobody Will Tell You This But Me,” where she saved every voicemail her grandmother left for her and transformed them into a book.
Ryan said he was particularly drawn to her because he appreciated the way she “didn’t take crap from anybody.” “That strong voice is an important part of our season. The determination, the courage,” Ryan said. He then highlighted author Bruce Feiler. Bruce is a father and bone cancer survivor who just published a second book titled: “Life is in the Transitions.” Bruce conducted thousands of hours of interviews and discovered through his research that, regardless of the transition that someone is in, there are only a handful of clear pathways to navigate said transitions successfully. Bruce, like many of the others mentioned, is someone with experience wearing several hats in his career and personal life. Ryan says the mold used for previous Arts & Ideas seasons has shattered completely. But, he says this comes with the silver lining of having more creative freedom to take chances and expand their audience. “We always had a solid audience from a small radius around the facility, and our challenge was to grow and expand within San Diego. All of a sudden, pandemic, shut down, virtual events and our audience immediately expanded geographically,” Ryan said, “The idea of sharing Jewish culture and having a greater reach with it was energizing and exciting.” Cultivating community and connection is what motivates Ryan about this season. “We will have done our job if members of our community–the immediate San Diego JCC community and anybody who wants to enjoy the Jewish cultural arts from anywhere in the country or world–feel that sense of connection,” Ryan said. A Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 31
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32 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
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North Coast Rep: Theatre as a Celebration
Sharon Rietkerk & Christopher M. Williams in “Dancing Lessons.”
BY NATHALIE FEINGOLD
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avid Ellenstein, the artistic director at North Coast Repertory Theatre, believes theatre makes the world a better place; the meticulously selected shows he presents each season are a reflection of that. “I work in the arts, and the arts are about improving things. The arts are about holding the mirror up to nature and learning from it, enjoying it and gaining new things from it,” David said. “An Iliad”, a one-person filmed play available for streaming Dec. 9 through Jan. 3, 2021, is a retelling of the Trojan War by a modern poet who traveled the world telling the story for 4,000 years. “He’s a time and world-weary traveler, and he’s tired of telling the story of man making war. But it’s got a lot of humor in it; he uses all kinds of modern metaphors and similes and really speaks to today’s audience,” David explained. Even though “An Iliad” is often considered a tragedy, David believes it still falls in line with the overriding themes that he always looks for in plays: reflecting on and celebrating what makes us human. “‘An Iliad’ is a play about war and man’s rage and that’s an important thing to explore, that’s important for people to examine and look at and see how they fit into it and if it makes them think about their behavior in a new way,” David said. The next play, “Dancing Lessons” (Jan. 13-Feb, 14), tells the story of two damaged people, both dealing with difficult situations, who meet and become friends against all odds. “They’re not people who would necessarily hit it off, but they are put together through
circumstance and they end up managing to help each other get through the trying stuff going on in their lives. And I’ve said all that but it’s a comedy,” David said. Since the theatre is currently closed for in-person viewing, the North Coast Repertory team transformed it into a soundstage and are currently filming their plays there. Although it isn’t what they’re used to doing, the alternative was closing their doors entirely for the span of the pandemic. That wasn’t an option for David who did not want to abdicate the responsibility of keeping his patrons engaged. “What always drives me about making theatre is I think it makes the world better. It makes the community better; it brings people together,” David said, “Doing it live, which is my preference and passion, really brings people together…. We can’t do it in person right now, so this is the next best thing we can do.” David is hopeful that the plays scheduled for later in the season can be done live and in-person in the theatre, however, that is tentative on health guidelines. The last two plays planned for the upcoming season are “Trying” (June 9 - July 4) and “The Remarkable Mr. Holmes” (July 21 Aug. 15). “Trying” is an autobiographical, two-character drama about Judge Bittle, written by his assistant Joanna Glass. The play explores their working relationship. “It’s called ‘Trying’ because it is about trying to not only do the right thing, but to make a connection with somebody very different from you. I think that’s an important theme,” David explained. “The Remarkable Mr. Holmes,” is de-
scribed by David as a “wild, funny, wacky, brand-new, world-premiere musical which has all the old fashioned broadway, delightful elements to it.” “I think it’s something that will bring joy and laughter and a real theatre buzz when it happens,” David continued, “And that’s a completely different experience from ‘Trying,’ and those are back to back. I try to put things that are different from one-another next to each other in the season.” David says that showcasing a variety of plays and widening the audience’s experience is essential. “We’re not a factory, we’re not stamping out things that are the same, we’re stamping out things that are different each time, and it’s important they stay different,” David said. He believes that different types of plays hold different types of benefits for viewers. “Hopefully it opens their eyes in new ways; one can just be something they enjoy, one can take them to a subject they don’t know anything about, one can open up a pathway towards empathy,” David said. David is hopeful for the future; he believes that once things return to normal, there will be a renewed interest in theatre and gathering together. “More than ever, theatre is going to be an important thing to revitalize people and re-engage them with their community.” David explained, “We’ve become so isolated out of necessity during COVID that anything that can work us back to being together will be a positive.” A For more information on North Coast Repertory Theatre’s upcoming season, visit: northcoastrep.org. Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 33
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Polaroids and Pencils Dazzle at SDMA BY NATHALIE FEINGOLD
Mary Ellen Mark’s “Twins” series.
A
nita Feldman, Deputy Director of Curatorial Affairs and Education at the San Diego Museum of Art, emphasized that, even when the museum doors are closed to the public, they offer a lot that art-lovers can enjoy online. “We haven’t missed a beat, it’s been very fast-paced, we haven’t lost a single program, everything has gone virtual,” Anita said. She highlighted virtual SDMA, which encompasses their app, YouTube Channel, a weekly Masterpiece Minute podcast, several collaborations known as “SDMA +” and educational workshops for kids known as “SDMA at play.” SDMA’s doors closed mid-November due to San Diego’s purple tier status. Anita expects them to reopen soon with implemented health and safety protocols such as reduced visitor capacity, temperature screenings, required face coverings and social distancing. Currently, they have an early Rembrandt self-portrait on loan from the Rijksmuseum until Jan. 3. The tiny painting depicts a young Rembrandt in his early 20s emerging from the shadows. Anita described the subtleties of his face and the nuances of light as being so detailed that every little hair on his head is visible. “It’s one of the most beautiful paintings 34 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
I have ever seen–it’s small but exquisite and so moving. The subtleties of the light and the play on the skin are just unparalleled,” Anita said. Anita then went on to describe an expansive photography exhibition open through Mar. 14. The exhibition, titled: “Masters of Photography: The Garner Collection,” features big names in photography. The exhibition takes viewers on a sensory journey through the highlights of photography; from Ansel Adams to Joel Meyerowitz; from Andre Kertesz to Bruce Davidson. Anita highlighted Mary Ellen Mark, a Jewish artist with works on display in the Masters of Photography exhibition and also in a solo exhibition of her “Twins” series, through Mar. 7. Mark possessed a gift for immersing herself in the subjects she photographed. She captured this series with a 2-foot tall polaroid camera. “All of the images defy what you expect in a polaroid. Polaroids you expect to be candid and instantaneous, but here they are carefully posed and professionally lit. The sitters have chosen their poses and clothes, so their individual personalities shine through. Often they’re mirroring each other but, if you spend the time to look long enough, you start noticing the differences,” Anita described.
The Museum staff decided to leave the works floating in their frames so that the edges of the polaroids are visible–every polaroid print is unique, making it stand out from traditional photography. Anita said that when looking at “Twins,” you can’t help but feel this sense of “otherness.” “When you appreciate the variety that makes up all of these twins as individuals and their shared humanity, you learn an appreciation for each other and ourselves. Especially now when we have such a divided country, these kinds of lessons of appreciating ‘otherness’ are quite important,” Anita said. Mark is one of several Jewish artists with works featured in the Museum. Anita said that, “in light of the interest in diversity, equity and highlighting different cultures,” they are even considering developing a tour that solely highlights Jewish art. “Quite often people don’t know that certain artists are Jewish and it would be interesting to see,” Anita said, providing an example, “I was surprised to discover that Diego Rivera identified as Jewish.” Anita went on to explain that one of the major themes explored in “Masters of Photography” is reality. Often, viewers look at photographs as being accurate depictions of real-life; however, there is a whole section of
the exhibition focused on manipulated photographs, or in other words: manipulated realities. Ana De Alvear, a contemporary artist based in Madrid, also explores the concept of manipulated reality in her upcoming exhibition aptly named: “Everything You See Could Be a Lie” (June 18-Sept. 27). Her incredibly detailed still life drawings look like photographs, but in reality, they are drawn entirely in colored pencil. “It’s astonishing. It defies the eye to look at these. There’s a deception going on in terms of what your eye reads because it looks so much like a photograph, but as you look closer and closer, you see, ‘oh it’s not a photograph, what is it?’ and the last thing you would think of is colored pencil,” Anita said. Another recurring theme explored in 2021 is the environment. This concept will be center-stage in SDMA’s upcoming Young Art exhibition, touched on in photographs
featured in “Masters of Photography” and addressed specifically in John Mireles’ exhibition on the “contemporary plight of our national parks.” John Mireles, a photographer based in Barrio Logan, will be showing his “Disestablishment” exhibition starting in August, 2021. Mireles took photographs of lands that had their National Park status removed under the Trump administration to be opened up for mining and drilling. “He went to these amazing locations and took these incredible, majestic photographs and is going to invite the public to destroy them,” Anita explained, “It’s making a strong statement about complicity. If you’re disturbed by the idea of destroying a photograph of a site then why are we standing by and allowing these sites to actually be destroyed?” A For more information on SDMA’s upcoming 2021 season, visit sdmart.org
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Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 35
Circling Hanukkah with “Sweet Light” BY PATRICIA GOLDBLATT
I
t will be different this year. Just as Passover and Thanksgiving and all events that not just require–but look forward to–our gathering as a family: it will be different. For in this age of the coronavirus, there are restrictions and masks and quarantines and reversals. And our hearts break. For my family, Hanukkah overlaps two December birthdays and even incorporates some of Christmas into our home. As a girl, I often disparaged why nonJews would conflate Christmas with Hanukkah, believing that perhaps as both holidays occurred in December, they were alike. I would counter that Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur were our major important holidays, but true, Hanukkah was a time for families to come together, to enjoy a holiday meal, to sit for hours, just being together. So, indeed, it was a significant holiday. And too, if you lived in cold Canada, the warmth of an evening around luminescent candles glowing in our menorahs lit our rooms and drew us into the magic circle of a hearth of light. But overlaying this holiday too were strong memories of standing at my high school bus stop where the sparkling rich girls 36 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
chattered on about the eight days of extravagant gifts that would come their way: from subscriptions of “Seventeen” to exotic trips away, their eyes filled with anticipation. For my family at the edge of the borough, it was one night of Hanukkah gelt, maybe a few chocolate coins and if we were lucky, maybe one of the red angora hat and mittens sets I watched my mother knit for my cousins and secretly coveted. In my child mind, I decreed that when I grew up, there would be eight lovely nights of gifts for children. I imagined our table warmed by the Hanukkah candles, set with my bubbi’s silver, flowers, good china, a circle of love, security that would embrace the family. This vision I sustained in my head until I had my own family, this vision I brought into existence as I married, had children and was blessed with grandchildren. The ghosts of the past, the stark reality of my childhood would not be expunged by this newly minted reality. But this year, there will not be heaps of Hanukkah gifts for the kinder to unwrap, nor the songs, nor the passing of the story of brave Judah Maccabee to the next generation. Of course we will sit down to an ersatz
imitation of what the evening should be and attempt to recreate what had been repeated and treasured for years: the preparations of special foods, the careful choice of gifts, the evening of camaraderie that stretched long into the night, the games we gathered for at the table, the laughter, the sleepy children playing nearby, the twinkle of their voices, the sweetness of being together, coming together from far and near, to know Hanukkah is our center, our pull, our magnet with no possible reason to keep us apart. Hovering closely at our backs, too, are the adored grandparents, our Hayda and Baba, her golden turkey surrounded by crisp latkos and his broad shoulders where a grandchild could perch for a story. And how I would wonder at his ease, his deep chuckle that was as big as the room and his love for the grandchildren. And like a moth, I fluttered at the edges of my father’s adoring warmth, surprised but softened by his total acceptance and amazement at his grandchildren. This year, we will Zoom with the family and react to the new granddaughter in Philadelphia whom we haven’t met or held close yet. Missing as well will be my two adored
grandsons who live ten minutes away but cannot come to the table because they are back at school in company of other kids. We will, at least, have my older daughter and her eight-month-old and observe him as he, no doubt, reaches for the coloured candles burning softly in the menorah. And truly, Zoom will help. But even as the holiday approaches, I am circling it in my mind, dealing with the restrictions, calming myself and addressing it. To distract ourselves from the hiatus of normalcy, we have watched with great interest here our Harbourfront Festival of Authors that presented a wide range of international writers whose topics feel relevant to the holiday and our lives as Jews. Among them were Nathan Englander who wrote “Kaddish.com”, Margaret MacMillan whose brilliant study focuses on “War”, Emily St. John Mandel who foresaw the pandemic in “Station Eleven” and Emma Donoghue’s “The Pull of the Stars” who also recreated the realms of virus by revisiting the Spanish flu in the persona of a midwife in 1918. So, too, I harkened to writer, Colum McCann, whose book “Apeirogon” explored the deaths of two beloved daughters of an Israeli and a Palestinian. He reveals multiple perspectives and harkens back to the structure of the story of Scheherazade, she who marries the Sultan to save other young women from the fate of death by her storytelling in “A Thousand and One Nights.” From one-line chapters, to the migration of birds in Israel, to deep resonating times of grief and loss, to historical beginnings, McCann explained in his interview that he kept circling back in the novel to the triggering event, the senseless
murders of the girls. He apprised us that he tried not to take sides but establish the conflict, the pain that no family should have to endure towards a search for peace. So too, Nathan Englander focused deeply on the persistent but current re-rise of antisemitism. And the horror of being stopped short by a swastika drawn on his daughter’s preschool. And how he had spoken about his book in Pittsburgh just before the massacre at The Tree of Life temple. And I thought of McCann’s use of the word “circling” because that’s how our minds work, how we keep returning in our heads to our holidays, those seminal events that aid us in coming to terms with our identity as Jews and what that means, whether we live in San Diego or Toronto or Israel. For some, many who are not regular shul-goers, we embrace our sense of humor, our adherence to Hillel’s single line, “if I am not for myself, who will be for me?” the concept of tikkun olam, standing up and being there to speak out and confront the big issues of the world–and my mind ruminates on the Jewish freedom riders who rode the buses in Alabama, our heroic stories of bravery in Egypt and Europe, our sages and so much more. And always we regrouped in our hovels, in our homes to retell our stories, to sit with our families in the shadows, warmed by the light of candles that binds us. That leitmotif of the candle, the enduring candle that metaphorically brightens our darkness, our souls. The symbol of Hanukkah for most of us. I suppose it is fitting that ghosts gather in that light to whisper their stories to us and remind us that a tiny jar of oil can be a miracle that can burn away the pain, the solitude
and bestow the promise of a better future. We can, like Scheradezade, weave narratives: of our parents, our ancestors that foretold our escapes from persecution and triumph and bestow us another day. We can hear ourselves cheer and even smile that our descendants will lead better lives. And we can remember the warmth, the cuddles, the loving gazes of our own parents and grandparents who struggled, but overcame wars, epidemics and economical adversity to give us a table set with Jewish values of trust, responsibility and caring, not only at Hanukkah, but in our daily existences. Their lives were beacons of light. So in these times when Hanukkah is not what we had expected, we can still be warmed by past light and the stories of the past. We can chant our prayers, sing our songs, see the beloved faces on Zoom and, even if we are pretending for the family, our forced smiles hiding our pain, we can still come together and spin our dreidels and raise our voices: Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah Come light the Menorah… Gather around the table I’ll give you a treat… Sevivon to play with And latkes to eat… And while we are playing The candles are burning low One for each night They shed a sweet light To remind us of days long ago… It’s that last stanza, the “sweet light” that will sustain us until next year. A
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 37
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La Jolla Playhouse’s Hyperresponsive Digital Shows BY NATHALIE FEINGOLD
W
hen the La Jolla Playhouse Director of Artistic Development Gabriel Greene was asked to describe their upcoming 2021 season in only one word, he said the answer lies somewhere in between “joyous” and “rebirth.” “What do we want to say to our audiences first thing when we come back? It’s a welcome back, it’s a ‘we’ve made it through this and are reborn’ and the pieces themselves are each so individually joyous and are, in many ways, about that sense of a new beginning,” Gabe said. Gabe explained that they moved most of the shows from their 2020 subscription season to their upcoming season–which is currently dependent on county and state regulations. “These are shows that, upon reflection, speak to this moment so well and just feel like the right way to welcome people back,” Gabe said, “They acknowledge conflict and pain, but they ultimately celebrate what is best about us as people.” Once the pandemic hit in March and the Playhouse had to postpone their in-person subscription season shows, they immediately sought a way to continue engaging their viewers while keeping their artists employed. Gabe explained: “there was never a moment’s hesitation before we said: ‘artists are the historians of this moment, we have to support and nurture them. Our entire industry is crumbling around us; how do we keep people getting paid, doing the work that they do, documenting this moment, finding a way for people to connect and maybe even to heal?’” He continued, “That we were able to pivot that quickly is indicative of the spirit of the Playhouse–of not doing things the way they were but trying to figure out what’s new
38 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
and what’s next.”
What’s New and What’s Next “Without Walls” (WOW) is a sight-based, immersive program that originated in 2011 as a way to “redefine the way that audiences and performers interact and the way that a theatrical show is received.” The Playhouse transformed the program, now known as Digital WOW, to be entirely virtual this year in response to the pandemic. “How do you create art that engages an audience, that finds that theatrical spark?” Gabe questioned. Digital WOW has yielded several digital pieces since March and Gabe highlighted a few upcoming shows that he is excited about. The first piece Gabe highlighted is titled “You Are Here: A Homebound Travelogue” (Nov. 16-Jan. 3) by LA-based artist Marike Splint. Marike, feeling trapped at home and disconnected, found herself scrolling through the geographical locations of her past on Google Earth. In doing so, she realized that so much of her memories and identity are linked with geography. She then set out to create a virtual road trip using Google Earth as the platform. “She very cannily lets this narrative go into an examination of trying to map the world, of Google Maps’ attempt to document this globe and what that says. The fact that every couple of years, their cars drive through the streets and overwrite the existing history on their maps with new pictures; what is erased when those pictures go away?” Gabe questioned. “It turns into a very heartfelt, moving, personal examination of the temporal nature of our lives, our memories and our geographies,” he concluded. He said that Marike’s piece felt deeply
personal to him–like somebody was revealing his obsession with looking at the geographies of his past. He told a story about how he recently looked at his dad’s address in Chicago. There he saw his father captured in the front yard, walking his dog at the exact moment that the Google Earth car drove past. “My first thought was: ‘that’s amazing.’ My second thought was: ‘this is going to break my heart when the car goes down that street again and he’s gone,’” Gabe said, “Like it or not, everything is temporary, everything is ephemeral, there’s something specific about having access to a version of these memories and then the next time you go visit that place they may be gone, just like they are in real life.” Also emphasizing the inextricable link between geography and identity, Gabe describes the next piece as: “a real love letter to South Eastern San Diego.” The piece, a dance film by Anjanette Maraya-Ramey, is called “Towards Belonging” (Nov. 2020). The dance, featuring original spoken-word poetry and music, is filmed entirely at the arts park in Chollas Creek. “It’s a full-on embrace of that neighborhood amid this moment where systemic racism has been illuminated… This piece manages to strike a beautiful balance between acknowledging the difficulties of that reality while simultaneously being an open-hearted, full-throated valentine to this neighborhood and the people who live there,” Gabe said. Since art has the powerful ability to be reflective of our present reality, there are several pieces featured in the upcoming collection that focus on systemic racism. One such piece is by poet and activist Alyce Smith-Cooper and composer Shammy
Dee called, “Spittin’ Truth to Power While Light Leaping for the People” (Dates TBD). The idea for “Spittin’ Truth” was conceived at a Playhouse Leadership Council Meeting, of which Alyce is a member. “During the meeting, Alyce shared her lament with what she saw as a lack of communication between generations. That here we are facing this moment of racial reckoning, which is not at all dissimilar from 50 years ago and just feeling disconnected, feeling like she has a lot to say to the younger generations who are in this fight now,” Gabe said. The Playhouse then set her up with Shammy Dee, a musician from a younger generation. The piece is the result of their collaboration. The Playhouse will also be releasing a piece centered around gentrification by Oye Group called “Taxilandia” (dates TBD). “Taxilandia will ultimately become a sight-specific play within a tour of a local neighborhood that speaks to the history of that neighborhood and how it’s evolved, for better or for worse, in terms of the communities that it’s welcoming and the communities that it’s forcing to leave,” Gabe explained. The final Digital WOW piece Gabe chose to highlight is called, “A Thousand Ways” (dates TBD). Gabe saved this piece for last because he described the arc as being about disconnection and connection. The piece is by NY-Based company 600 Highwaymen; their shows often center around the idea of gathering an audience together in a ritual of intimacy and celebration. “A Thousand Ways” takes place throughout three separate parts designed to reflect where we are as a society in terms of the pandemic. The first part is a phone call pairing each participant with a stranger, prompting a half-hour conversation between the two individuals. “You don’t know each other, you’re both sitting at home, but through the guidance of these prompts, a picture begins to emerge. You begin to paint a picture of yourself, the other person paints a picture of themselves and, through these questions, you’re guided to a shared narrative with each other that forges this sense of connection even without knowing each other’s names or seeing each other,” Gabe explained. The piece culminates with all of the strangers gathering together in a “celebratory, communal return,” when it is safe to
“You Are Here: A Homebound Travelogue.”
do so. “A Thousand Ways” encourages the participant to look at every action they engage in with a stranger as having the potential for a genuine connection. “I think it speaks to our hunger, not just for connection but for connection with people that aren’t necessarily in our social media bubble. In this very divisive age, unlocking that ability to engage with an open mind and a welcoming spirit with whomever that stranger may be and finding those common core elements of your life is a real balm to this moment,” Gabe said.
The Conversation The Playhouse always seeks to select pieces that engage with each other in a conversation representative of San Diego as a whole. Gabe described the conversation behind the
upcoming Digital WOW collection as being “hyperresponsive” to our present momentin terms of the pandemic and the culture of racial inequity that plague our society. “Pieces that invite us to look at this variety of stories from voices that are completely representative of our country will only make us stronger as a whole,” Gabe said. Gabe parted with a final thought, “I want to say that when it is safe to return, even more than the show, I am looking forward to seeing them all gathered together. There’s power in the community. We miss them and we want to see them again.” A For more information on the Playhouse’s 2021 plans, visit lajollaplayhouse.org.
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 39
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BY MICAH SIVA | nutritionxkitchen.com Yield: 16-18 latkes
PREPARATION:
This year, Hanukkah is likely to look different than years past. While we may be sharing a small table, we can still celebrate the miracle of light and the end of a difficult year with loved ones. With many holiday traditions experiencing a shake-up, try out a new take on the classic latke with this recipe for Parsnip Potato latkes.
Line 2 baking trays with paper towels. Set aside.
INGREDIENTS: 3 medium parsnips, peeled
Pour in whisked eggs, stirring to combine.
1 large baking potato, peeled (like Russet) 1 small white onion 2 tbsp. flour ½ tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. sea salt Black pepper 2 eggs, whisked Vegetable oil, for frying
Using the large holes of a box grater or food processor, grate the parsnips, potato and onion. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and wring out excess liquid. Add the parsnip mixture to a bowl, stir in flour, baking powder, salt and pepper. Heat ½ inch oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Use a ¼ cup measure to scoop the latke mixture into the pan, pressing down firmly with the measuring cup (do not crowd the pan). Cook latkes until golden, about 2-3 minutes on each side, adding more oil as needed. Transfer cooked latkes to the lined baking tray, sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with applesauce and sour cream. Enjoy! A Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 41
42 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
Advertorial - This article was written by Hebrew Day – San Diego
Photo Courtesy of Benny Gantz.
Meet Today’s Maccabees Hebrew Day Grads
Tova Winick, right, briefs U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system as Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz (foreground) listens.
Another Maccabee is Ethan Gipsman, married with one child, attending the Technion’s American Medical School in Haifa. Ethan graduated Hebrew Day in 2007. It was on his 8th grade Israel trip that a spark was ignited. “We visited Gush Etzion, and I was very moved by the presentation of the fighters who blocked the advance of the Jordanians in defense of Jerusalem.” Just two days prior to Israel’s Independence, on May 12, 1948 the settlement block fell before the overwhelming odds arrayed against them and more than 30
Before you imagine your favorite Super Hero or most woke Hollywood personality, let’s consider the original cast – the 2nd Century B.C.E. Maccabees. How are they described?
Tova is a 21st Century Maccabee. She commands the Iron Dome, which protects Israelis who are vulnerable to the overwhelming enemies and their missiles, which are massed just beyond every border. The safety and security of her fellow citizens is her cause. Her attachment to Israel and the Jewish people was formed during her years of study and growth at Hebrew Day School. At the time of her graduation, Tova said publicly that Hebrew Day taught her to “create my own path within the context of those who came before us.”
When Ethan completes his training in 2023 he will receive SMICHA / Rabbinic Ordination together with his M.D. Yet another Hebrew Day grad changing Israeli society is Stuart Katz, (Hebrew Day Class of 1979). Decades after moving to Israel and running an international travel company, Stuart now is devoted to addressing unmet mental health needs in Israel. He founded Mental Health First Aid Israel and works tirelessly to remove the stigma which prevents so many Israelis from seeking the care and treatment they need to live full lives. He is also working with a Knesset Committee to create an effective national suicide prevention program to address a so-far unacknowledged health crisis. Chanukah begins on December 10th, and as the blessing states, we are mindful of the miracles then, and miracles taking place today. “Teachers hope to inspire children to make the world better,” noted Hebrew Day’s Head of School, Rabbi Simcha Weiser. “For two generations of children, Hebrew Day counts many heroes to celebrate.”
Maccabees Version 1.0 are described as (1) weak, (2) few, (3) pure, (4) righteous, and (5) diligent in Torah study (see Chanukah prayer). This compares to the vanquished Greeks, who were strong, many, impure, tyrannical, and arrogant. Hebrew Day – San Diego’s original Jewish day school founded in 1963, takes great pride in graduating 21st Century Maccabees, deeply proud Jewish leaders. For example, 2013 graduate, Tova Winick, was singled out in October by Israel Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who tweeted out a photo of Tova saying “today, I was proud as [Tova] stood by me as commander of the “Iron Dome” defensive missile system, as Tova and General Gantz made a joint presentation to then U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. “You are a great example of Zionism,” Minister Gantz concluded.
tice of medicine to be comprehensive.”
Ethan Gipsman, wife Eti, and baby son Avichai Elyakim, in Haifa, Israel.
For enrollment information, or to arrange a virtual visit, email admissions@ssdhds.org or call 858-279-3300.
fighters died when their bunker was blown up after surrendering. “Their heroism struck me and I decided to serve in the Israel Defense Forces as a Lone Soldier. My experience as a soldier showed me how meaningful it is to wake up each morning as a protector of the Jewish people. When I chose medicine, I chose Aliyah because I wanted to train as a physician, in Israel, and find continuous meaning as a physician protecting the wellbeing of my fellow Jews.” Ethan went even further. In applying to Technion’s American Accredited Medical program, he seized the opportunity to add an innovative program in Jewish Medical Ethics and Halacha. It was the first program of its kind. He applied and following one additional year of training, will graduate as Rabbi Doctor. “The extra study enables me to be a healer for Israel steeped in Jewish Law. I want my prac-
Stuart Katz, CEO of Tal Tours, is a longtime advocate for humanitarian, mental health, and environmental causes. He is bringing mental health education and anti-stigma programming to the Middle East.
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 43
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44 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
| DIVERSIONS |
Hbo Adapts ‘Oslo,’ Tony Award-Winning Play About Peace Accords, Into Original Film BY JTA NEWS
H
BO has begun production on a film adaptation of “Oslo,” the Tony Award-winning play about secret meetings before the Oslo Accords that nearly brought peace between Israel and the Palestinians in the 1990s.
The film, which will air next year, stars Andrew Scott (of “Fleabag” and “Black Mirror”) and Ruth Wilson (“The Affair,” “Mrs. Wilson”) as the Norwegian husband and wife diplomats who arranged covert negotiation sessions between Israelis and Palestinians through back channels. Steven Spielberg and Marc Platt (father of Ben) are among the executive producers. Because of plausible deniability–contact between Israelis and the PLO was illegal–not even Israel’s foreign secretary at the time, Shimon Peres, was at first informed of the talks. The initial Israeli participants, two university professors, put their careers on the line to take part.
pleading with and prodding the distrustful negotiators to continue. Eventually the frosty feelings between them grew warmer and the two sides hammered out an important agreement called a Declaration of Principles. This is not the network’s first telling of what ultimately proves a heartbreaking story. Two years ago it offered “Oslo Diaries,” a documentary that resulted only in the sadly premature awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Rabin was assassinated in 1995 by an Israeli gunman. A number of Israeli actors are involved in the project as well: Sasson Gabai (recently of Broadway’s “The Band’s Visit”) and Itzik Cohen, Igal Naor and Salim Dau (all of “Fauda”). J.T. Rogers, the playwright, wrote the screenplay and it is directed by Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher. A
Mona Juul and Terje Rød-Larsen shepherded the group, Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 45
the news San Diego Opera Considers Production of Drive-in Opera “La Boheme” a Big Success with Zero Cases of COVID-19 Identified
Consul General of Israel Hillel Newman Visits San Diego From the Office of Public Affairs - Consulate of Israel in Los Angeles During this pandemic crisis, Israel’s Foreign Ministry is taking steps to show support and offer help to Jewish communities outside of Israel. As part of that initiative Consul General Hillel Newman visited the San Diego area to deliver reusable masks with the official Israel logo imprinted on the side.
Working with the San Diego Jewish Federation of San Diego County, Consul General Newman met and delivered masks to Holocaust Survivors, Federation leaders, heads of organizations, teachers and students. Miri Ketayi, Director of Israel & Overseas says, “We are so honored to welcome Dr. Hillel Newman, the Consul General of Israel. We appreciate his delivery of face masks and flags and his solidarity with the San Diego Community.” The Consulate General of Israel recognizes the vital work taking place in assisting the vulnerable and senior populations in San Diego and was excited to be a part of that effort.
Zero cases of COVID-19 transmission were identified during rehearsals and performances for San Diego Opera’s series of drive-in performances of “La bohème.” The Company considers this a huge success as these performances marked some of the first live and in-person presentations of opera since March. Furthermore, the Company employed over 300 individuals for the series– which heralded two-sold out performances and record-breaking numbers of new ticket buyers. San Diego Opera realized that, due to COVID-19, a traditional season of opera performances would be impossible, so they pivoted to develop an alternative plan involving drive-in live performances. During production, San Diego Opera followed all mandatory County and union health guidelines. This included: quarantining of international artists, mandatory testing, daily health screens, face coverings and socially distanced staging instructions. Audience members were required to remain in their vehicles for the entirety of the opera. David Bennett, the general director of the San Diego Opera, says that there are many things that he is proud of in regards to the Company’s recent drive-in performances of “La bohème.” “It was incredibly strong musically and dramatically, gave much-needed employment to many and provided an opportunity for our audiences to enjoy a communal experience after spending so much time alone. But most importantly, we did this with zero COVID-19 positive results. We proved that with good planning, safety and artistic ingenuity can coexist,” Bennett said.
46 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
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Have Yourself a Merry Little Ho Ho Ho!: A Lite Look at the Jewish-Christmas Connection
S
halom my dear San Diegans. It’s that time again. Hanukkah and Christmas. Back in Boomer days, we Jewish kids didn’t have the option of “Christmasakkah.” If we did, chances are we couldn’t get the “Peace on Earth” protest past Mama and Papa. They didn’t buy the relationship between a giant tree in one’s living room and “peace” (even if we called it a “bush”). Red and green lights were reserved for traffic, not homes and gardens. As Jews, we were in this strange position. While writing the daytime drama, “As the World Turns,” my boss at the time, the late, ever fascinating, Douglas Marland, was picking me up for an evening of theater. I lived in Riverdale, New York, known for its Jewish residents, primarily Orthodox. As I tumbled into the car, he looked at me oddly. Here we were, a few days before Christmas. Houses across every hamlet in America were strung with lights–and then there was here. A tiny turf in the Bronx with nothing but the faint orange glow of Menorahs peeking out of windows demurely into the winter night. “Where the heck are we?” he asked, awestruck, “Tel Aviv...?” (This was said without a hint of anti-Semitism.) Undaunted, I explained. This kicked off a discussion of what it was like to grow up in the fifties as a Jew in a non-Jewish neighborhood, which I did as a kid. Brilliant, verbal and glib, it is one of the very few times this master storyteller was rendered speechless. Finally, he said: “You know ... It never once occurred to me what it must feel like to be an outsider on Christmas.” And he remained pensive for the rest of the evening. 48 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
So, what’s a Jew to do? We all know the Chinese food drill, but as usual, we are a people of fascinating facts and high humor. As we huddle (six feet apart) in the midst of chaos, I thought it was time for a few facts, smiles, a giggle and a guffaw. Here I give you “a little bit of this; a little bit of that” to share on Christmas Day. “I’m dreaming of a...” Sing Mamala! The two best-selling Christian holiday songs were written by the son of a cantor named Israel Baline, better known as Irving Berlin, born in 1888 near the Siberian border. An 1893 pogrom brought the family, with eight children, to New York. During his lifetime, he won a plethora of honors for his charitable contributions and his 1,500-plus standards, but perhaps his most enduring legacies are the two most popular Christian holiday songs, “White Christmas” and “Easter Parade.” Not bad for a poor Jewish immigrant who never learned to read or write music and composed in only one key – F sharp. Mandy Patinkin recorded “White Christmas,” among 16 songs by Jewish composers translated into Yiddish in his 1998 album, “Mamaloshen - Mother Tongue.” Have an Eggroll, Mr. Goldstone! Why is Chow Mein the chosen food of the chosen people on Christmas and throughout the year? The answer is a matter of academic speculation. Contributing factors include the fact that Chinese restaurants were always open during Christian holy days such as Sundays and Christmas. Secondly, Chinese food uses almost no dairy, so it was apt for Jews who kept kosher and could not mix meat and milk.
Clean the Chimney and Leave a Plate of Blintzes. While Christian children write Santa, since 1985, Jewish children could make a list, check it twice and send it to Bubbie and Zadie. In 1981, writer Daniel Bloom created a letter-writing campaign to Bubbie and Zadie and received over 10,000 letters. In 1985, he wrote, “Bubbie and Zadie Come to My House,” about grandparents who fly from house to house on the first night of Hanukkah, singing songs and telling stories. In 2006, the book was re-published. Bloom has said the letters and answers aren’t about gifts, but express excitement about the holiday and hope for a flyby from Bubbie and Zadie. My Son, the Genius! This phrase was probably on the lips of Hyman and Rebecca when in 1884, their seven-year-old, Joshua Lionel Cowen (born Cohen) attached a small steam engine to a wooden locomotive–and blew up the wallpaper. As a teen, he invented an electric doorbell, but his teacher called it impractical. Worse, he lost a fortune selling the rights to his electric flowerpot. True, it wasn’t a hit, until the buyer detached the tubes and marketed the Eveready Flashlight. Wiser, Joshua, with a friend, launched the Lionel Manufacturing Co. in 1900. After attempting to sell portable electric fans, he attached the fan’s motor to a miniature wooden railroad car. This time it didn’t explode. It moved. And the quintessential Christmas gift, Lionel trains, was born. Festivus for the Rest of Us? Who can forget the Seinfeld episode when George, to get out of Christmas-gifting, tells
his boss he celebrates “Festivus.” George: “I was afraid that I would be persecuted for my beliefs. They drove my family out of Bayside (New York), Sir!?” Well, a drug dealer in an Orange County California prison was of the same “persuasion.” Malcolm Alarmo King reportedly cited his observance of Festivus to get the healthier kosher meals and needed a religious reason. A local Bayside paper claimed he got his wish, though the holiday was a figment of the Costanza mishegoss. All of this begs the question: Were the Costanzas even Jewish? The house smelled like kasha, but papa Frank had a cousin in Italy. (Maybe he was Sephardic?) Then George joined the Latvian Orthodox Church. Is George a Re-Converter and if so never mind. And finally, my favorite Hanukkah-Christmas joke: An Audience with Mary A devout nun died and went to heaven. Saint Peter asked her if she had any wishes he might fulfill. She humbly replied that she would like an audience with the Holy Mother Mary. Peter agreed. They walked the corridor and sitting in a plain chair was a middle-aged woman in the garb of the first century, knitting. The nun sat reverently at Mary’s feet and finally got up the nerve to ask: “Reverend Mother, you were chosen from all women for such a special honor. Can you give me an inkling of what it felt like when the Lord Jesus was born?” With a distant look in her eyes, Mary sighed: “Vell....Ich hob takkeh gevolt a maydel.” (“Well, I was really hoping for a girl.”) To all our readers:“She-Yihye leha hag Hanukkah sameach!” A
FIND LOVE in the New Year!
VIRTUAL EVENTS: Congregation Beth Israel’s Virtual Glass Menorah Workshop
Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom Chabad San Diego and Beth Israel present a virtual glass menorah workshop led by glass artist Ilanit Shalev. For more information and registration visit chabaddiego.com or cbisd.org.
Virtual Tour of Israel by JNF with Temple Adat Shalom
Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. on Zoom The tour will take place over five consecutive nights with a registration fee of $50 per household. Visit adatshalom. com for more information and registration.
Unorthodox Jewish Art: Graphic Novels and Folk Art with Congregation Beth Israel
Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. on Zoom Explore and learn from graphic novels and popular art with artist and educator Jane Lazerow. The event is free but RSVP is required for planning purposes. For more information and registration visit cbisd.org.
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Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. Congregation Beth El invites you to drive through their campus this Hanukkah to watch performances by light dancers and flame throwing artists from your vehicle. There will also be a drive-thru donut stand, festive music and a menorah lighting. Register for the event at cbe.org.
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50 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 51
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JEWISH COMMUNITY Welcoming babies and families to San Diego’s Jewish Community ARE YOU EXPECTING A BABY OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS? Shalom Baby is an innovative program designed for San Diego families to celebrate the arrival of their Jewish newborns to affiliated, non-affiliated and inter-married families as a welcome to the San Diego Jewish Community.
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For information call Deborah Davis: 619-275-1539
To hear samples, visit our website: secondavenueklezmer.com
San Diego .............. Judy Nemzer • 858.362.1352 • shalombaby@lfjcc.org North County......... Vivien Dean • 858.357.7863 • shalombabyncounty@lfjcc.org www.lfjcc.org/shalombaby • www.facebook.com/shalombabypjlibrarysandiego Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, Mandell Weiss Eastgate City Park, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1348
JESSICA FINK JUDY NEMZER VIVIEN DEAN l
Direct Line: (858) 362-1352 E-mail: littlemensches@gmail.com www.lfjcc.org/shalombaby/littlemensches l
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS 4126 Executive Drive • La Jolla, CA 92037-1348
Lot For Sale Jewish Burial Section Two Spaces Together | Mount Sinai 1 Lawn Lot #63 | Spaces A & B El Camino Memorial Park
25% Discount
Below Market Value by Owner
For Information Contact: natesr@aol.com 52 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
FINANCE
Phil Bresnick, CWS® Financial Advisor Senior Vice President Financial Planning Specialist Family Wealth Advisor
619-668-4334
Fabrics for Fashion and Home
Philip.Bresnick@morganstanley.com The Bresnick Group at Morgan Stanley 5464 Grossmont Center Drive, Suite 200 l La Mesa, CA 91942 Direct 619 668.4334 l Toll-Free 800 729.2900 l eFax 800 216.4679 CA Insurance License #0A05261 / NMLS #1401662
©2020 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Member SIPC.
CRC2119372
Visit our Giant Store & Warehouse 907 Plaza Blvd. • National City
619- 477- 3749
92 locations in SD County Family Owned and Operated since 1953
Serving Cuban-American Food Est. 1976
NOWNOW SERVING BREAKFAST, AND DINNER SERVING LUNCH LUNCH AND DINNER OpenDaily: Daily: 11am 8 am–10 pm Open - 10pm PALM SPRINGS (760) 325-2127
1596 N. Palm Canyon Drive • Palm Springs, CA 92262
KORNFELD AND LEVY Certified Public Accountants 2067 First Ave., San Diego, CA 92101 Bankers Hill
p: 619.563.8000 f: 619.704.0206 gkornfeld@kornfeldandlevy.com
Gary Kornfeld Certified Public Accountant
REAL ESTATE
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 53
54 SDJewishJournal.com | December 2020
Kislev | Tevet 5781 | SDJewishJournal.com 55