April 2024

Passover Issue +

North Coast Rep produces

“Sense of Decency”

A world premiere based on a novel and soon to be a movie

Congratulations!

HAYDEN CROCKER

2024 PETER CHORTEK LEADERSHIP AWARD RECIPIENT

Hayden Crocker, a junior at Canyon Crest Academy, is the founder of Go Greenish, a youth-led environmental organization and national activism movement working to bridge student empowerment and sustainability through policy, advocacy, and research. Hayden is responsible for drafting the mission statement, recruiting the executive team and Board of Directors, creating bylaws, incorporating, filing for 501(c)(3) status, and is the face behind the initiatives and impact of Go Greenish.

SCAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT: Go Greenish gogreenish.org

About the Peter Chortek Leadership Award

The Peter Chortek Leadership Award (PCLA) was established in 2011 by the Chortek Family to honor the late Peter Chortek (z”l). It rewards Jewish teens who are practicing Tikkun Olam -- repairing the world. Peter was not religious but was fiercely proud of being Jewish. His passion and focus was Jewish education, believing quality Jewish education would help ensure a vibrant Jewish future. The Peter Chortek Leadership Award recognizes Jewish high school students in San Diego making a difference in our community through their innovative leadership. A total of 31 awards have been presented to date.

Other JCF Scholarships

Jewish Community Foundation San Diego (JCF) is honored to facilitate the Jeffrey D. Sollender Scholarship, the Delta Scholarship, the JL Scholarship, and others on behalf of Jewish Community Foundation fundholders. More information about JCF scholarships can be found at: jcfsandiego.org/scholarships

Applications for the Peter Chortek Leadership Award will open again in fall 2024. Students are encouraged to start thinking about service projects that qualify!

Jewish Community Foundation San Diego Individuals can make a difference; together we change the world. info@jcfsandiego.org | www.jcfsandiego.org

Pesach CELEBRATE

April

We have locations all over San Diego!

Scripps Ranch (Chabad S. Diego HQ), Bonita, Carlsbad North, Carmel Valley, Chula Vista, Coronado, Downtown, East County, Encinitas, Escondido, La Costa, La Jolla, North County Inland, Oceanside/Vista, Pacific Beach, Penasquitos, Rancho S. Fe, S. Marcos, SDSU, Tierra Santa, UCSD, University City

To learn more about Pesach (Passover) visit Chabad.org

On the Cover

“Sense of Decency” company. L-R: David Ellenstein (director), Jack El-Hai (author), Lucy Davenport (wife), Brendan Ford (Lt. Colonel Douglas Kelly), Jake Broker (playwright). Seated: Frank Corrado (Hermann Göring).

Rachel Eden, T.S. McNeil, Sybil Kaplan.

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“Gripping and compelling.”

Jake Broder has crafted a surprise-filled exploration into what makes us tick. A psychological thriller filled with unexpected revelations, magic, and insight. A World Premiere theatrical foray into this historical meeting promises intrigue and theatrical sparks. When WWII ended, the Nuremburg trials were underway. Herman Göring was the highest-ranking Nazi alive. An American Army psychiatrist was tasked with interviewing him extensively and keeping him fit for trial. What happened in that fateful room had profound and unexpected consequences for both men. Dramatic gold.

Directed by David Ellenstein

Featuring Frank Corrado, Brendan Ford, and Lucy Davenport

Based on the book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai

April 17-May 12, 2024

858-481-1055 | northcoastrep.org

GROUP SALES: 858-481-2155, x202

SCAN FOR FULL SEASON LINEUP

THIS PASSOVER , ELIJAH’S WON’T BE THE ONLY EMPTY SEAT AT THE TABLE.

As we celebrate the seder, we remember those who should still be with us. Some of those seats belong to Magen David Adom medics, who gave their lives trying to save others. Your donation provides the equipment MDA needs so that next year only Elijah’s seat may be empty. Join the effort at afmda.org or call 866.632.2763.

HONOR, COMMEMORATE, and CELEBRATE

HONOR, COMMEMORATE, and CELEBRATE

sunday

sunday

MAY 5 1pm sunday

MAY 5 1pm sunday

MAY12 7pm

MAY12 7pm

Yom HaShoah: Community Holocaust Commemoration

Yom HaShoah: Community Holocaust Commemoration

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS

Yom HaZikaron:

Yom HaZikaron:

Israel’s Day of Remembrance

Israel’s Day of Remembrance

Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

sunday

sunday

MAY 19 12-4pm

MAY 19 12-4pm

Yom HaAtzmaut:

Yom HaAtzmaut:

Israel’s Independence Day

Israel’s Independence Day

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center

Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center

JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS

JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS

For more information or to register, visit jewishinsandiego.org.

For more information or to register, visit jewishinsandiego.org.

SUSAN EDELSTEIN

Hope Springs Eternal at Passover

So Many Words of Affirmation

We all know that spring is a rebirth and Passover is the promise of freedom, both of which are welcomed celebrations, but I now think that’s especially so in times of unrest. As I worked on this April issue of the San Diego Jewish Journal, I was struck over and over by the words of our writers, many of which were in each and every piece. Truly, as in Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the thing with feathers,” “hope... never stops — at all.”

Rabbi Eilfort says that though the events of October 7 have changed us, this tragedy has brought us closer together. We stand together with Israel and appreciate her even more as she is the first line of defense for Jewish freedom. We may be “spiritually free, but we have to choose to exercise our freedom.” And this year, more than ever, we need to celebrate our freedom “with gusto!”

Andrea Simantov, who lives in Israel, writes of the “magic and holiness of the Jewish people and the Jewish state” and that “Israel at her core is respect, consideration, and equal attention to all.” Trevor McNeil reminds us to read and appreciate our ancestors like the Italian-Jewish writer Primo Levi, a World War II and Auschwitz survivor, whose memories preserve our history. Marnie Macauley, in her inimitable way, reminds us that Passover is the “master story” of the Jewish people, and even though times are angst-filled both here and in Israel, this Passover is the “time to

wake up, get assertive, preserve our liberty, freedom and justice.” Patricia Goldblatt’s piece reminds us that throughout history, Jewish people have been scattered all over the world and have celebrated Passover in different ways, but the ritual is a rebirth where “we come face to face with our roots, our identity, and we choose to celebrate hope.”

Our new columnist, Lisa McGuigan, puts the joy and fun in Passover with wonderful ways to engage our children and says that, like spring, Passover is a time of “renewal, reflection and gratitude, and the time to teach and instill Jewish values.” Welcome, Lisa.

Perhaps because this Passover is in a year like we’ve not experienced before, the visit of 130 Israeli high school students to the San Diego Jewish Academy is most inspirational of all. The courage of these students, who live on the Gaza border and experienced first-hand the events of October 7, proved the strength to be found through community, connectedness and friendship between our country and our homeland. As Shani Abed writes, these young Jewish students are determined “to continue living with joy...a true testament to the Israeli spirit.”

Indeed, words have power: Hope, peace, freedom, brotherhood, resilience, community, respect, promise, strength, gratitude and joy. Happy Passover. A

Comedian Richard Lewis, dark prince of Jewish neurosis, dies at 76

Comedian Richard Lewis, who parlayed his neurotic Jewish personality and self-deprecating humor into a 50-year career as a standup and actor, died February 28th. He was 76.

Lewis had been in ill health for a number of years and last April announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years earlier. Although he considered himself retired as a standup, he appeared again as a regular in the current season of

“Curb Your Enthusiasm,” playing a version of himself in the HBO show created by and starring his childhood friend Larry David.

“Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he’s been like a brother to me,” David said in a statement released by HBO. “He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that I’ll never forgive him.”

Fashion guru Iris Apfel immortalized as Barbie doll

New York style icon Iris Apfel died on March 1st at 102. Born in Queens to a Jewish family, Apfel had a long career in interior design and textile design alongside her husband, Carl Apfel. She became famous as a fashionista in her 80s and 90s, thanks to her New York attitude, high-low style and signature oversized glasses.

In 2005, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York premiered an exhibition about Apfel’s style titled “Rara Avis, (Rare Bird): The Irreverent Iris Apfel.”

Jewish philanthropist donates $1 billion to Bronx med school, eliminating all future tuition

The Bronx’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine will be tuition-free for the indefinite future thanks to a $1 billion donation from a Jewish philanthropist.

The massive gift from Dr. Ruth Gottesman, an emerita faculty member, will be “transformational” in drawing students to the medical school in the city’s poorest borough.

“This donation radically revolutionizes our ability to attract students who are committed to our mission, not just those who can afford it.” Dr. Yaron Tomer, Einstein’s dean, said.

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ISRAELI LIFESTYLE

LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE

The Blessing of Israel

Both my husband and I, despite being card-carrying geezers, are employed fulltime and more. We rarely bemoan this unplanned-for reality in our ostensible golden years and, in fact, credit the unexpected need to work as a gift. Having the ability to put in a full nine hours each day reminds us that we are vibrant, hale, and connected to the world. Too many people we know spend their days running from medical appointments to consultations to scans to the pharmacy and back. We have made a tacit pact to reverse the clock and, to the best of our G-d-given abilities, never be complicit in our personal demise.

And because we both have degrees from WebMD and Doctor Google, we know the drill. Lots of exercise, ingesting recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables and early bedtime. We try to remain current with world affairs, read historical novels, watch a little television and strive to lead lives that are spiritually rich and G-d-centered. One glass of dry red wine per week for heart health and a generous shot of whiskey to celebrate each Shabbat morning make us pretty darn wholesome. This isn’t to say that we aren’t respectively taking blood pressure or cholesterol medicines or have not replaced three knees and one hip between us; let’s toss in a couple of cataract removals, and I think we’re done. The body is a stunning

machine that, nevertheless, with time, suffers some wear and tear. Still, we’re doing alright.

And despite all of the precautions and our commitment to turn back the clock, two weeks ago I found myself unceremoniously in the ER alongside others in search of treatment. The others included Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Haredi, secular, National Religious and Hasidic Jews, Druze, Bedouin and Palestinian Muslims. Young yeshiva boys weaved about rows of plastic chairs offering tuna and cheese sandwiches while elderly women wearing bullet-proof wigs and hospital jackets pushed cups of coffee, tea and slabs of lemon cake to all.

Once triaged, poked, prodded, tested, CAT-scanned and outfitted with an IV catheter, I was subsequently admitted.

Was I frightened? No. My thoughts went only to the beautiful dinner I’d left on the kitchen counter, a need to contact upcoming clients, and disappointment for an inability to vote in municipal elections scheduled for the next day. Thoughts of infirmity and/or mortality played cameo roles in the unfolding drama of my stay at Hadassah University Ein Kerem Hospital. (Spoiler alert: I’m fine; the problem was diagnosed within 72 hours. It is neither terminal nor chronic and I’m being treated. The morning after I was released, I hit the gym.)

If I’d previously believed that Israel was a miracle, the magnificence of the Jewish state was indisputable during my hospitalization. The full gamut of Israel’s population was represented within the gargantuan Hadassah compound in every department. I would gander that during my time in the neurology ward, I was in the minority as a Jew. At least half of the patients were Arabs, only two of the ten nurses who attended to me and my Arab roommate were Jewish, and the Jewish patients were ethnically Eastern European, North African, Ethiopian and Russian. The majestic atriums on each floor of the Davidman complex were equipped with teak tables, chairs, benches and many folded prayer rugs for Muslim worship. A bookshelf graced one wall with several volumes of siddurim (prayer books) and psalms.

continues on page 20 >>

WRITTEN IN FIRE

This Is a Man

When it comes to creative endeavors, the influence of life experience cannot be overstated. For authors in particular, real life often serves as inspiration for particular storylines, if not featuring direct analogues existing in real life. An author who had art imitate life in various ways was the early 20th-century Italian author Primo Levi.

He was born in Turin in 1919, just as nationalists led by Gabriele d’Annunzio were seizing power in the nation and only three years before Mussolini staged his infamous coup in late 1922. Raised by middle-class liberals, both of his parents autodidacts, Levi was always going to stand out. A slight and quiet child, Levi soon followed the example set by his parents and excelled academically despite a few recorded absences, most likely to avoid bullies. During such absences, he was tutored at home by Marisa Zini, the daughter of the famed Italian philosopher Zino Zini, whom Primo’s father, Cesare, knew socially.

Called up by the Fascist War Ministry after he ignored a draft notice, Levi was placed in a fascist militia with the consent of his father. Smarter than even the instructors by half, Levi avoided the more militant aspects of the training by joining the ski division.

Successfully avoiding most of the politics that had taken over the nation, Levi entered the chemistry program at University of Turin, a degree he finished despite the implementation of the Manifesto of Race in 1938, excluding

In 1946, at the age of 27, after avoiding death for the second time, Levi made it back to Turin, clad in a threadbare Red Army uniform given to him by one of the Soviet liberators.

Jews, such as Levi, from most aspects of Italian public life. Any fascist ideology Levi might have picked up while in the fascist militia had been thoroughly thrashed out of him by the Italian surrender in 1943, a surrender that allowed Nazi Germany to take over much of northern Italy, kicking off an Italian resistance movement that Levi was quick to join. Eventually, he was arrested by the fascist militia and sent to Auschwitz as both a Jew and an enemy combatant.

In 1946, at the age of 27, after avoiding death for the second time, Levi made it back to Turin, clad in a threadbare Red Army uniform given to him by one of the Soviet liberators. Finding work at a paint factory, Levi started writing his

memories of the war and Auschwitz in an attempt to make sense of the whole thing. Often writing in the factory’s dormitory where Levi stayed during the week owing to Italy’s poor post-war train service, he wrote his first book, “If This Is a Man.” Published in the United States as “Survival In Auschwitz,” Levi had some trouble finding a publisher in the post-war environment. “If This Is a Man” was published in its first Italian edition by the ardent anti-fascist Franco Antonicelli, who was willing to take the chance on a first-time author because of the subject of the book.

Transitioning from working at the paint factory to starting his own chemical consultancy and putting his degree to work, it was 1963 before his next book, a memoir titled “The Truce” (“The Reawakening” in the U.S.) saw print. A direct follow-up to “If This Is a Man,” Levi goes into his experience in terms of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Soviets and his return home to Italy from Poland through the devastated landscape of Europe.

More settled after his new company got off the ground, it was only another three years before Levi would publish again. A collection of short stories titled “The Sixth Day and Other Tales” was published in Italian in 1966. It would be 1990 before the U.S. got an English translation. Veering from grounded, biographical works to science fiction, “The Sixth Day” shows a certain level of humor, such as in the story “Order on

The closeness of family and friends gathered together in thankful celebration. A special feeling. A special warmth. A time for sharing, when age-old traditions proudly grace the seder table. Wondrously alive and vital.

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Israeli Lifestyle continued

My doctors were Jewish and Muslim and Christian. And terrific. Everyone spoke English either adequately or superbly and asked to be called by their first names. At 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, two young ultra-Orthodox girls approached my bed and asked if I would like to vote. Bursting with excitement, I descended nine floors and was wheeled into a makeship election station situated behind the information desk. After voting for mayor and city council, I treated myself to a large latte before being returned to the superb care that I was growing accustomed to.

Hallmarks of the Israeli personality include hair-trigger tempers, raucous laughter, scouting for anti-Semites

behind every rock and rapidly forgiving grudges. It’s just who we are. High highs and low lows. Once upon a time, not so long ago, we appeared impenetrable, but in the aftermath of October 7, something has changed. Our community has grown fragile. Trying to defend ourselves against global accusations of inflicting genocide, plotting against the world’s innocents and other timeworn tropes, many of us have grown numb. Powerless to defy or defend.

I’d encourage any naysayer or fencesitter to see Israel at her best, which is Israel at her core. Despite our flaws and occasional (seeming) lack of unity, make no mistake about the magic and holiness of the Jewish people and the Jewish

state. A wee stint in any Israeli hospital will offer the viewer a glimpse into everything that apartheid is not: respect, consideration and equal attention to all. A

New York-born Andrea Simantov moved to Israel 29 years ago. She is a small-business owner and both a print and media journalist. Her popular podcast, “Pull Up a Chair,” is produced by Israel News Talk Radio. She can be reached at andrea@israelnewstalkradio.com

Literature continued

the Cheap,” in which a character invents a machine called “The Mimer” which can reproduce anything.

A second collection, drawing on Levi’s experience as a chemist, was released in 1975 under the title “The Periodic Table,” with an English translation by Raymond Rosenthal in 1984. More straightforward and grounded, the narratives in “The Periodic Table” follow the adventures of the same Jewish-Italian doctoral chemist under the fascist regime in Italy, with Levi sticking to ‘write what you know.’

The first of Levi’s two novels, “The Wrench,” with an English translation available to U.S. audiences under the name “The Monkey’s Wrench” in 1987, focused on the industrial aspect of life in which his father worked when Levi was a child. The novel takes a connected narrative approach, following two protagonists as they face the challenges of work and life.

1981 saw the release of “Moments of Reprieve,” another collection of short stories based on character studies of

fifteen other Auschwitz survivors Levi interviewed.

Levi’s second novel, “If Not Now, When?” was published a year later; the 1985 translation by William Weaver came out much quicker compared to Levi’s earlier books. Drawing on his time as a partisan, the narrative follows Jewish resistance fighters as they each try to resist the Nazis in the last years of WWII. The narrative centers on Mendel Nachmanovich, a Jewish Red Army soldier who gets separated from his unit during heavy fighting and joins a partisan group.

Returning to nonfiction, Levi published “Other People’s Trades” in 1985, with Raymond Rosenthal again doing the English translation in time for 1989. The book is primarily a collection of columns Levi wrote for a daily newspaper in Turin; pieces include autobiographical snippets and book reviews.

A further essay collection, “The Drowned and the Saved,” returns to the subject of Levi’s first published work,

again exploring the different aspects of the experience in concentration camps.

Levi’s final publication, 1986’s “The Mirror Maker,” was a follow-up collection of newspaper columns drawn from his work at the Italian liberal newspaper La Stampa (“The Press”). Pieces include “Sic,” “The Commander of Auschwitz,” “Jack London’s Buck” and “Translating Kafka.”

Although Levi died in 1987, his reputation was such that there have been no less than five posthumous publications of his work, most recently the short story collection “The Magic Paint,” published in 2011. A

Growing up in the far north, Trevor James McNeil had little to do other than read when the temperature went below 40 Celsius, and he developed an affinity for stories of all sorts. Graduating from the University of Victoria in 2009, he has been reading and writing in a professional capacity since. He lives in a cabin in the woods with his dog, and firmly believes The Smiths would have been better as a trio.

MATZA MAMA

Engaging Young Minds in the Rich Traditions of Passover

In Jewish tradition, spring is a time for renewal, rebirth and redemption. Plants are blooming and animals are beginning to wake from hibernation. Nature comes back to life after winter and we enjoy the promise of warmer days ahead. Spring is also a wonderful opportunity for personal reflection and gratitude, and for families, an opportune time to teach and instill Jewish values.

As we prepare for Passover during a year that certainly feels like no other, we are reminded that our freedom, hope and perseverance are, without doubt, more relevant and meaningful than ever before. So, how can we make this night different from any other night for our young children? We’ve got you covered. Read on for ideas and strategies to make this year your most meaningful Passover yet

Tell stories together.

Children love stories, and the story of Passover is rich with themes of good versus evil. It serves as a powerful reminder of justice and freedom. In the weeks leading up to Passover, use props, costumes, and crafts to engage kids in age-appropriate and interactive ways— this is your dress rehearsal! Beginning the storytelling early helps generate excitement, knowledge and familiarity so they are “seder ready” when the time comes. PJ Library has incredible resources online, including a children’s

Passover is an opportune time for families to teach and instill Jewish values in their young children.

Haggadah, games, crafts, music and more. Save these tools and plan to bring them back during the seder — show time!

Involve children in Passover preparations.

Create a game around removing chametz (leavened foods) from your kitchen and have children assist with special dishes. The internet is a rich tool for kid-friendly Passover recipes, and you haven’t lived until you’ve made matza crack (essentially chocolate-covered matza with all the fixings). In our house, we let the kids create a kid-friendly table that includes a paper tablecloth, crayons, and puppets to help tell the story of

Passover. This seemingly small task instills ownership, pride and purpose, and it’s one less project for mom & dad to complete! Win-win.

Sing, sing, SING your heart out. Music plays a significant role in Passover celebrations and adds joy to the holiday. Teach children Passover songs and encourage others to join in the fun. Songs like “Dayenu” have become so popular that even Amazon’s Alexa will play it for you. Grab some instruments, create a Passover playlist and prepare for one epic sing-along.

Create a consolidated and interactive seder.

We’ve all been to seders that drag on. If you have young children at your Passover table, use a kid-friendly Haggadah that includes games and other activities to keep children involved. Have crafts, crayons and even “plagues’’ at the table to keep kids engaged and involved. During this season of life, short and sweet can be the difference between success and utter disaster. Making your seder digestible and fun helps ensure your kids will want to be seated at your table for years and years to come.

Incorporate Passover themes into daily life.

As a family, create a deeper and more meaningful understanding of why

Parenting continued

we honor our rituals year after year. Use Passover as an opportunity to teach children about values such as freedom, justice and empathy. Consider visiting an animal shelter or sanctuary such as The Happy Heart Haven, located in Valley Center, which allows children to interact with rescued animals. Sanctuaries provide hands-on learning and emotional connection and foster empathy towards animals and the natural world.

For families with older children (or children who can sit through a lengthier seder), consider finding creative ways to support and incorporate Israel into your evening. Food, music, prayers and even philanthropy can deepen our connection to the land, and the people of Israel.

We would love to hear your ideas about creating a meaningful Passover for families. Visit us on facebook and tell us what makes this night different for your family. No matter how you celebrate, may your Passover be filled with joy, peace, matza crack and the promise of freedom and perseverance for all!  A

Lisa McGuigan is an adventure-loving Jewish mama located in the Temecula Valley. She is also a co-founder of Jewish Together Temecula Valley, and creator of @temeculamama—a digital guide highlighting family-friendly fun in Southern California and beyond.

Book,

Tickets:

A World-Premiere Play Based on a Harrowing True Story

In 1945, Lt. Colonel Douglas Kelley was assigned a daunting task: examine the last remaining high-ranking Nazis to see if they were mentally fit for trial. Kelly came faceto-face with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and explored what made a mind so evil. This story is told in depth in “The Nazi and The Psychiatrist,” written by Jack El-Hai. The book has intrigued so many readers that it has led to a movie adaptation, as well as a play adaptation set to premiere at North Coast Repertory Theatre this April.

Kelly came face-to-face with Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring and explored what made a mind so evil.

Jack stumbled upon the story of Kelly and Göring while working on another book and was dumbfounded by it. He began researching Kelly’s work but didn’t find much, so he contacted Kelly’s son for more information.

“I was expecting maybe he had some file folders or photo albums, something like that,” Jack said, “but instead, he had 15 bankers boxes full of papers and artifacts. The papers included the medical records of the German leaders who were held for trial, interview notes, psychological testing results, and then some artifacts, including vials full of the drug that Hermann Göring was addicted to when he was captured, photographs

and just an astonishingly breathtaking assortment of materials. I knew I had to write a book about this.”

“The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” began as a short story where it was optioned for film and then later published into a fulllength book.

According to Jack, the movie and play adaptations tell the same story in somewhat different ways. “The movie takes about a year-long period of time from the book and explores it in detail, and the play draws more from the full range of the psychiatrist, Dr. Kelly’s life while exploring very specifically his relationship with Hermann Goering,” he said.

The movie adaptation, “Nuremberg,” stars Oscar-winners Russell Crowe and Rami Malek and Oscar-nominee Michael Shannon. The film is currently filming in Budapest.

“I’ll be going out there next month to watch a couple of days of shooting, and I don’t know a release date...perhaps by the end of the year, and it has a great cast. Russell Crowe is playing Hermann Göring,” Jack said.

The play, titled “Sense of Decency” by playwright Jake Broder, has been specifically commissioned by North Coast Rep Artistic Director David Ellenstein. Jack and David have been friends since junior high school, and David reached out after reading the book.

“[David] thought this would make a great stage play, and he had worked with Jake in the past,” Jack said. “So he passed along the book to Jake. Jake agreed, and we were connected. I talked with Jake about it some, and then he did all the heavy lifting of making it into a play.”

Jack feels that the play is a good interpretation of the story and his works and feels that it will translate well to the stage.

“A big challenge for a playwright in adapting a sprawling nonfiction book is what to focus on,” he said. “There’s

so many different things that can be focused on in a dramatic treatment. [Jake] chose to focus on the relationship between Göring and Kelly. I’ve learned some things about it, and I think he did a wonderful job of expanding, distilling and drawing forth character and humanity from the figures in the book. So, I’m very happy with the adaptation.”

Hopefully, this story can continue on the stage for many years, whether in San Diego or beyond.

“I hope that after its run at North Coast Rep, other theaters take it up,” Jack said. “I think it’s a great piece for theaters of that size and for a variety of different kinds of audiences. There are a lot of lessons in the play that have to do with American politics. So I hope it has a long life and many runs in lots of theaters.” A

Community Seders

CHABAD

Chabad Center of University City 3813 Governor Drive San Diego, CA 92122 (858) 518-6513

chabaduc.org

April 22, 8:00 p.m.

Cost: Adult members $50, Children $25 RSVP required

Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Fe 14906 Via De La Valle Rancho S. Fe, CA 92067 (858) 756-7571

jewishrsf.com

April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Adults $75 ($90 after April 15), Children 3-12 $50 ($65 after April 15)

RSVP required

Chabad of Carmel Valley

RSVP for event location (858) 333-4613

chabadcv.com

April 22, 8:30 p.m.

Cost: Adults $55, Children $25

RSVP required at chabadcv.com/3290283

Chabad of La Jolla

909 Prospect Street, Suite 224 La Jolla, CA 92037 (858) 455-5433

chabadoflajolla.com

Call or email chabadoflajolla@gmail.com

to RSVP and get more details

Chabad of Poway 16934 Chabad Way Poway, CA 92064 (858) 451-0455

chabadpoway.com

April 22, 7:00 p.m.

Cost: Adults $65, Children $30 RSVP required

CONSERVATIVE

Ohr Shalom Synagogue 2512 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 ohrshalom.org (619) 231-1456

April 23, 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Members $60, Children 12 and under $35

Nonmembers $70, Children 12 and under $45

RSVP required at bit.ly/ohrshalomseder2024

Tifereth Israel Synagogue

6660 Cowles Mtn. Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92119 (619) 697-6001 | tiferethisrael.com

April 23, 5:45 p.m.

Cost: Members $65, Children 5-10 years $36 Nonmembers $75, Children 5-10 years $40

Children under 5 are free RSVP required at tis.shulcloud.com/form/tis-second-seder-2024

Temple Isaiah

332 W. Alejo Road

Palm Springs, CA 92262 (760) 325-2281 | templeisaiahps.com

April 22, 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Members $75, Nonmembers $85 RSVP required

Ner Tamid Synagogue

12348 Casa Avenida Poway, CA 92064 (858) 777-0256 | nertamidsd.org

April 23, 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Adults $54, Children 4-10 $34, Children 0-3 Free RSVP required at nertamidsd.org/event/pesach-seder-woodstock.html

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Community Seders continued

REFORM

Congregation Beth Israel 9001 Towne Center Drive

San Diego, CA 92122 (858) 535-1111 | cbisd.org

April 23, 6:00 p.m.

Cost: Members and guests $55, Nonmembers $60, Children 6-12 $20, Children 5 and under $10 RSVP required

HUMANISTIC

Kahal Am: The Humanistic Jewish Community of San Diego Escala Clubhouse: 2840 Clubhouse Lane

San Diego, CA 92108 (858) 549-3088 | kahalam.org

April 27, 1:00 p.m.

Cost: Members 17 and older $20, Children 6-16 $5

Nonmembers 17 and older $25, Children 6-16 $5 All children under 6 are free RSVP at kahalam.org/seder

OTHER

Jewish Together Temecula Valley 27575 Ynez Road

Temecula, CA 92591 (805) 796-6307

April 22, 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Adults $36, Children 6-12 $5, Children 5 and under are free RSVP at bit.ly/jttvseder2024

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Revisiting Themes of Passover in “The Postcard”

Sometimes, a journey ends where it began and the resolution of a search is gently resolved. As Passover approaches, I think of “The Postcard” by Anne Berest, the themes of Passover a reccurring link.

Anne besieges her mother to discover her family’s roots, those of a buried Jewish identity. That search is marked by coincidences. What is significant is the role Passover plays in forced departures, thoughts of freedom from peril, and self-awakening.

Berest’s partly autobiographical novel traces the Rabinovitch family from Moscow to Łódź to Palestine to Paris from 1919 to 2013. The story revolves around Anne’s grandmother, Myriam. Her father, Nachman Rabinovitch,

Like many Jewish children, Anne besieges her mother to discover her family’s roots, those of a buried Jewish identity.

recalls the story of the Passover journey, “In Egypt, the Jews were slaves...The saltwater we put on the table on the evening of Pesach represents the tears of those who broke loose from their chains. And the bitter herbs remind us that the life of a free man is inherently painful...” With nightmares of being hunted on Christmas and encouraged by antisemitic laws, Russian Jews like the Rabinovitches are continually deprived of their liberties.

It is the same story continued over years of oppression and expulsion that we sit annually to read in our Haggadahs. Unable to travel and attend university, and with rumors of a Jewish conspiracy, Ephraim, son of Nachman, is told to

continues on next page >>

leave for Palestine, much as the slaves in Egypt did. Fleeing a destiny of servitude, “the Rabinovitch children had never imagined anything like this deprivation of rights could be possible.”

But another son, Emmanuel, refuses. Nachman, evoking the four sons at the seder, explodes, “Yeder nar iz klug un komish far zikh.” (Every idiot believes himself to be intelligent). He implores, ”There is nothing for you in Europe.” We think of the sons who reflect diverse approaches and the need to address their stances.

The family eventually moves on to a good life in Latvia and believes they are safe. On a Pesach there, Nachman retells the exodus from Egypt. “But, Ephraim the engineer, the progressivist, the cosmopolitan, has forgotten that an outsider will always be an outsider.” Harassed by the Latvians when his business fails, the Rabinovitches’ stay in Riga will be temporary in 1920. Recalling Marc Chagall’s traveller, his peccala of a few possessions, the family searches for safety.

They stop in Łódź to visit grandparents. Here, Myriam is struck by a stone, the words, “Hep hep Jude,” echoing in her ears. Here Zaida Maurice Wolf explains that the Poles don’t want to work with the Jews “...but they hate him more because he is the boss of the factory.” The lie of Jews harboring money is a reason to attack. The family heads for Palestine, a journey of forty days, as long as it had taken Moses to reach Mount Sinai.

When the family is reunited (Nachman has gone ahead) in Palestine, Ephraim is surprised by the heat and finds the struggle of life insupportable, so different from their cultured life in Europe. However, Myriam and sister Noemie are content in this rough and tumble world, warmed by their grandparents, the oranges and date groves, and talk of the freedom of the Zionist movement. Even so, in Migdal, Passover is very different from Russia; bent forks replace silver heirlooms, and dust-ridden Haggadahs are tossed aside.

...my own mother told of her life in Poland, of being snatched up by her father at a picnic to avoid a pogrom, of the trip away from her home, of her beloved father always searching, travelling...

But she is upset, feeling again an outsider to herself as a Jew. Anne reflects, “The Holocaust was like Revisiting

ironically reinforcing Nachman’s warning. They are unwanted Jews in a land not their own.

And like many displaced Jews, my grandparents fled Poland. My mother was five, sent ahead with her sister, aunt and mother. And even in Canada, there was an unease at being Jewish. There were prohibitive, threatening signs my mother told us, ”Jews and dogs not allowed.” Jews gathered together for protection, securing their own communities, burial parks and hospitals, with threats of discrimination, quotas and even riots at local parks.

Of course, I read Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl” and any other holocaust novel I could find, terrorized to think who would hide me if I had lived in the Poland of my grandparents. Like narrator Anne in “The Postcard,” you want to know what revealing you are Jewish could mean.

Nachman casts doubt on his son’s desire to return to Europe, where he fantasizes life will be sweeter.

At Passover again, Nachman intones on the meaning of “pass over.” He explains with hope, “because God passed over Jewish homes to spare them.” But it also means ‘passage,’ he informs, “...the passage of the Hebrew people to become the Jewish people...It’s a rebirth.” His song of migration echoes those of our biblical ancestors. But Ephraim’s family sets out again, returning to France.

There, the repression in Moscow is repeated: Jews are banned from civil service positions. It is 1933 and the Nazi Party is the official political party in Germany. So again, the Rabinovitches face the fallout of being Jews, their children harassed at school, and their citizenship applications deferred, so their presence in France is not solidified. Once again, political enemies increase, and antisemitism expands as intern camps, transports, curfews, slander, mandated yellow stars and disappearances mark the society, all

Anne is invited to another seder in the story. Because of her family history of hiding, of concealment, of intermarriage, of the camps and being raised in a secular, republican socialism, she has been brought up with concepts of equality, but she has not identified as a Jew.

When a woman at a seder questions Anne for not knowing Hebrew or which side to open her Haggadah, Anne is embarrassed, bereft of lacking a religious identity. She is overwhelmed with memories as if she has lived this scene before. “Everything seemed familiar: passing the matzohs around, dipping bitter herbs in salted water, letting a drop of wine fall from my fingertip…as if I’d seen them a million times before… the ceremony transported me back in time. I could feel hands sliding into my own, inhabiting them, Nachman’s fingers, gnarled as the roots of an ancient oak tree.” She is sustained by the loving memories of stories past, of significant suppers when religion could be celebrated.

a treasure hunt in our house. You just followed the clues.” So, too, my mother retold her life in Poland, of being snatched up by her father to avoid pogroms, always searching. Only so much later, you understand how some turn toward, and others turn away from their religion, either providing sleepless nights of guilt.

I can empathize with Anne’s confusion about not reading Hebrew, embracing diversity and feeling like an outsider, and not knowing how to fit into an unlearned paradigm.

Her friend, Georges, provides Anne with a book by Natalie Zajde, “Children of Survivors.” Zajde discusses what it means to be Jewish: “Someone who has the same nightmares as her mother and is trying to find her place among the living. Someone whose body is the grave of those who never had a proper burial.” Anne recalls that at the birth of

her daughter, her first thought was of mothers who were breastfeeding when they were sent to the gas chamber. She says it would “...suit her for things to be difficult...not to be afraid of the giver, afraid of gas, afraid of losing my identity papers, afraid of closed spaces, afraid of dog bites, afraid of crossing borders, afraid of traveling by airplane, afraid of crowds...afraid of saying I’m Jewish.”

Again, I think of my mother, who shook at borders, fearful her papers were not in order, terrified of policemen, that sense of being hunted. She saw obstacles where others did not. Filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky has referred to this transference of fear as ”psycho magic.” “There are parts of the genealogical tree, traumatized, unprocessed places that are eternally seeking relief. From these places, arrows are launched towards future generations. Anything that has not been

resolved must be repeated and will affect someone else...”

So we come to Passover, the stories of families forced to flee and seek freedom, and in doing so, their identity with their religion was minimized, almost obliterated. However, in the celebrations, the eternal markings of Rosh Hashana and Passover, we come face to face with our roots, beginnings and identity. And yet, when we are not free to participate and reflect on who we are, the old fears shake us. This is the message and warning at Passover.

Passover, the reminder of being freed from slavery in Egypt, poses a symbolic arch through which we must pass, to be able to not wonder what it is to be a Jew, but to choose to celebrate, free from fear, discrimination and threat of reprisals.

May it be so, and the tyrants who would destroy us be silenced forever. A

Passover/Pesach: The Time of Our Freedom

Isit here at my desk, a full six weeks before Passover, preparing for the holiday. I have ordered my special, hand-made shmurah matzot (baked in Israel, no less), my Passover wine, and started organizing our additional assistance to help us distribute matzah and prepare our community Sedarim. Our house is already well on its way to being made ready — “No eating outside of the kitchen and dining room, lest crumbs find their way all over the place!”

Pesach is by far the most laborintensive of the Jewish holidays. The house and business must be free of every vestige of Chametz (leavened products including bread, pasta, and other grainbased foods other than matzah) and the vessels used to prepare it. Lavish meals must be prepared so that we can jointly celebrate the awesome birth of

When we take a sober assessment of the current state of the Jewish people and the war...it is nigh impossible to view oneself as utterly free from the spiritual oppression of others.

our nation. Friends, family, co-workers and every Jewish person we can find are invited to celebrate.

Yet, ironically, this is called “The Festival of Our Freedom.” Is this ‘freedom’? It seems more like the backbreaking slave labor experienced by our ancestors who were so sorely oppressed by their Egyptian taskmasters.

Our sages explain that both the physical and spiritual bondage experienced by our forefathers were shattered by the Divine intervention of the Almighty, Who miraculously brought about their redemption. Forever, the hold of the Egyptians and all future oppressors of the Jewish people would be sundered, never to be re-established. In fact, we read in the Haggadah that every one of us should realize, on a continual

Time of Our Freedom continued

basis, “That in every generation, a person is obligated to view himself as though he left Egypt (that very moment).”

When we take a sober assessment of the current state of the Jewish people and the war the Jewish State is waging right now for its very survival, it is nigh impossible to view oneself as utterly free from the spiritual oppression of others. Many people thought that the days of overt antisemitism had finally been relegated to the dustbin of history. The shock and dismay of our people, particularly since and because of the events of October 7 and its aftermath until today, has been traumatic, to say the least.

Many of us have come to expect the unbridled Jew hatred emanating from the Palestinians and large swaths of the Muslim world. It is the fierce and obscene hatred of our fellow civil rights travelers that has been particularly hurtful. Watching the “bastions of intellect,” the “towering sources of brilliance,” those “academic juggernauts” called the American university turn on Jews and Israel has caught many off guard. Where did all of this Jew hatred come from?! How can such intelligent people be so completely ignorant of the facts?!

Well, when one objectively reviews the mainstream media’s coverage of Israel over the past 50+ years, one can see a robust and persistent anti-Israel (which is antisemitic) bias. Every ill in every Middle Eastern country is Israel’s fault. It is a truly Orwellian phenomenon. A murderous, bloodcrazed, bestial terrorist is called a militant. Moral equivalence is given between those who target civilians to those who seek and bring the murderers to justice, as the murderers hide behind human shields. Just this week, I read on a major network that deals are being discussed to exchange hostages. Here is a newsflash: ISRAEL DOESN’T HAVE ANY HOSTAGES. Terrorists who have been arrested for murder and attempted murder are not hostages. People who have been gang-raped and tortured

This Pesach, it behooves us to stand together to fight the darkness that is emanating from many unexpected sources. Now, more than ever, we need to be proud of who we are and our beautiful Jewish way of life.

Israel can be the Jewish homeland for the Jewish people. Palestine must be free of Jews. But Muslims can and must be allowed to live in Israel, and every descendent of every Muslim who ever left Israel must be allowed the right of return. That means that they can all return and be given immediate full civil rights, including the right to vote in Israel. You don’t have to be an expert demographer to understand that means they vote Israel out of existence. There is no one home with whom to make peace!

For goodness sake, the blood of the Jewish victims was not even dry, and the protesters came out in force, blaming Israel for the very atrocities committed against her. And they are clearly well-organized and financed. I find it particularly appalling when people who claim to be the friends of the Jewish people find ways to blame Israel, even in part, for the atrocities. It is as if we exist in a vacuum and that it was Israel’s fault that there is no peace with the Palestinians.

after being pulled from their homes or from a music festival are hostages. It is ridiculous to even have to point this out, but the lack of moral clarity, informed by an intense Jew hatred coming from the mainstream media, necessitates this explanation.

As an aside, how any human being with a liberal outlook, who values basic human rights, can possibly be proHamas, or remotely sympathetic to their cause (the utter eradication of Israel as a homeland for Jews living there and the eradication of Jews the world over), is utterly beyond me. Personally, I have felt as though I have been under a storm cloud since October 7, but it has gotten worse. And for those out there who continue to defy facts and call the Palestinian Authority with its Holocaustdenying leader, a peace partner hasn’t been listening closely to what the PA says and does. They pay people to murder Jews. The reason there is no peace is because they refused to agree that

And let us be very clear: calling for a ceasefire is allying oneself with the enemy. There was a ceasefire on October 6. Hamas broke it, as they have every previous ceasefire. Ceasefire in this situation means Israel ceases and Hamas fires. If they would stop murdering Jews and holding hostages, including babies, the firing would stop. The well-armed, trained and funded terrorists by Iran, yet another example of a peace partner, must be eradicated. Speaking of Iran, how have they been allowed to get away with this, as they destabilize the entire Middle East? Iran’s hatred of Israel is due solely to its antisemitism. Remember, Israel doesn’t even share a border with Iran. No people in any country in the world have a stronger claim to their homeland than the Jewish people do in Israel. No nation in the entire world is called murderous for defending its people from fanatical hatred. No nation in the history of the world has warned its enemies where and when it’s going to

attack so as to protect innocent civilians and then be accused of genocide because the enemy uses the innocent civilians as human shields. It is another obscenity!

So how can we celebrate the Holiday of Our Freedom? Are we indeed free? This is the question that I have been struggling with of late.

We learn in our Holy Torah that this state of exile is at least partially a state of mind. The Divine Presence surrounds us and envelopes us. However, we may not be able to see it and feel it due to the effects of this long and bitter exile, which has spiritually desensitized us. If we can train ourselves to see G-d’s hand wherever we look, we can re-sensitize ourselves to spirituality. We will then perceive G-dliness wherever we look, and we will realize He never left us. He is always available to us. We are spiritually free. We have to choose to exercise our freedom. We are promised that through

exercising our spiritual freedom, we will fully realize our physical freedom as well.

As tragic as the situation is, it has brought us together. It has helped us realize that, at the end of the day, we have each other, and only each other, to rely upon. It helps those of us in the diaspora better appreciate the importance of Israel. It is our first line of defense. Israel’s struggle is our struggle. Its tragedy is our tragedy. Its danger is our danger. Its triumphs are our triumphs.

This Pesach, it behooves us to stand together to fight the darkness that is emanating from many unexpected sources. Now, perhaps more than ever before, we need to be proud of who we are and our beautiful Jewish way of life. Our Torah is our path. It is not this political party or politician or that one that will save us; we must put our faith in the Almighty. And we do what He asked us to do so as to create a vessel into

which His blessing will flow unabated. We will celebrate this Passover with gusto! Despite the tragedy, we will march forward triumphantly, with heads held high and with sky-high morale, and we will utterly and completely vanquish the enemy. We will reveal G-d’s Presence through the immediate arrival of our Righteous Moshiach. Oh, when Moshiach finally does come, the whole world will benefit. Everyone will live together in true peace and brotherhood. Now, let’s get out there and inspire the world! A

An Incredible Journey That Forged Hearts and Minds Together Forever

Israeli High School Students Leave a Lasting Impact on our Community

For ten days, San Diego Jewish Academy hosted 130 high school juniors and seniors and 20 accompanying adults from Sha’ar Hanegev, a region in southern Israel on the Gaza border that was ravaged during the October 7 Hamas attacks. This was the largest student group to visit the United States since the war started, and it all came together through the sheer determination, collaboration and love that exists between the sister cities of San Diego and Sha’ar Hanegev.

The relationship between these sister cities has thrived for more than 20 years and is a testament to the strength of solidarity through shared values. Over the years, the sister cities have implemented various educational initiatives, including student exchanges, and this special delegation is the largest yet.

The Israeli students were hosted by 63 families in our community and

together with their SDJA peers, they experienced ordinary events during this extraordinary time, such as on-campus classes, Shabbat services, social events and excursions around town like surfing at La Jolla Shores, overnight camp and volunteering at Seacrest Village Retirement Community. Zvi Weiss, Head of School at SDJA, stated, “These authentic, personal interactions in San Diego can hopefully provide just a little sense of healing for the students from Sha’ar Hanegev...and for our students, a unique opportunity to support their peers and strengthen Jewish peoplehood.”

Shani Abed, Director of School Relations at SDJA and integral to the planning and execution of this event, reflected on this experience and its impact on all involved and stated, “What struck me most was the power of our entire community coming together.

In giving and receiving, both sides experienced a profound impact. The friendships forged during this visit are not fleeting; they are bonds that will last a lifetime.”

The San Diego Jewish Journal had a few questions for Director Abed:

SDJJ: Please describe the Sha’ar Hanegev group; is this a school? A kibbutz?

SDJA: The Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council is located in the northwestern Negev, within Israel’s Southern District. Situated between Beersheba and Ashkelon, its territory is bounded on the west by the Gaza Strip. The council comprises 10 kibbutzim (including Kfar Aza, Nachal Oz, Dorot, Erez and more) and one moshav. The delegation that visited comprised 130 11th and 12th-grade students from Sha’ar Hanegev, with the majority attending

the Kiryat Chinuch School, and 20 staff members, including teachers, psychologists, youth counselors and the school principal.

SDJJ: How did SDJA and Sh’ar Hanegev become affiliated?

SDJA: Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council maintains a sister city relationship with San Diego which dates back more than 20 years. The partnership between San Diego Jewish Academy and schools in Sha’ar Hanegev’s educational institutions has fostered a close relationship. Additionally, there is a strong tie between the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council and the San Diego Jewish Federation.

SDJJ: Was this the first visit of its kind for either SDJA or the Israeli students?

SDJA: This delegation represents the

The friendships forged during this visit are not fleeting

largest group of students to visit the U.S. from this region, surpassing previous much smaller delegations consisting of less than 15 students at a time.

SDJJ: Was this planned in response to October 7?

SDJA: The initiative stemmed from a conversation between Zvi Weiss, our head of school, and Yigal Dadia, the head of the education department in the Sha’ar Hanegev Regional Council, following the events of October 7. Originally planned for November, the delegation’s visit was postponed due to parental concerns, including fears of antisemitism. However, in mid-January, they confirmed their readiness to travel. With the sponsorship and partnership of the San Diego Jewish Federation and support from the Israeli government, the students’ trip was made possible.

SDJJ: Could you describe the emotional state of these students in the aftermath of October 7 and the shift in support for Israel?

SDJA: These students have been deeply affected by the events of the October 7 attack. Many have experienced unimaginable losses, including the loss of family members and friends, and have endured terrifying experiences, such as having a classmate being held captive in Gaza. Their resilience is evident in their bravery in sharing their stories and their determination to continue living with joy. Despite facing adversity, they remain strong and determined, a true testament to the Israeli spirit. A

Israel Lives Deep in Our Hearts: A Tail of Resilience, Love and Community

Israel holds a special place in our hearts, a sentiment that has been tested and strengthened since the horrible events of October 7. As the news highlights stories of hostages, sounds of war and the deafening shouts of hatred, the media seems to darken our perception of the world. Yet amidst the darkness, many within the United States have rekindled the flame of Klal Yisrael by hearing the heartwarming stories from the Israel Guide Dog Center.

Founded three decades ago by the Israeli paratrooper Noach Braun, and the U.S. philanthropist Norman Leventhal, the Israel Guide Dog Center has transformed the lives of nearly 1,300 Israelis with blindness, PTSD, autism or other challenges through their partnerships with specially trained dogs.

These dogs are more than cute bundles of fur, they are the means of transforming Israeli lives by providing safe mobility, independence and selfconfidence for those they serve. And October 7 marked the day when these remarkable dogs transcended even their usual roles to become literal lifesavers.

Enter Maya (whose name has been changed for anonymity), a resilient and independent blind woman residing alone

More than cute bundles of fur, these dogs transform Israeli lives.

in southern Israel, her home a modest caravan. Partnered with her guide dog Teddy for several years, Maya faced a perilous situation when a siren pierced the air signaling imminent danger. With only 30 seconds to reach safety and lacking an inner safe room in her home, Maya improvised, quickly seeking refuge under her bed. Teddy joined her, lying right beside her. As Maya received an alert of a terrorist invasion in her community, she and Teddy endured hours of uncertainty and fear beneath the bed. The eventual clarification that it was only a threat and not an actual invasion brought tears of relief to Maya’s eyes, though her heart still trembled in the aftermath.

For Maya, Teddy and his steadfast partnership were more than a beacon of

light; his presence on October 7 was her miracle. She said, “I couldn’t have made it through those dark hours without Teddy. Because of his training at the Israel Guide Dog Center, he remained my incredibly calm, supportive and loving partner during the most terrifying time of my life.”

In Israel, it is common to hear cell phone alarms indicating the immediate need to seek shelter. But imagine having to seek shelter when you can’t see where safety is. This is a familiar situation for so many of our blind clients. And this is why nothing will stop us from providing for the needs of our clients, our dogs and Israel.

After October 7, we started providing “Puppy Love Encounters” where we bring our puppies and dogs to comfort families, children, patients and anyone who could benefit from the love of a dog. We’ve given emotional support dogs to families most impacted by war.

It’s hard to see light in these dark times, but thanks to donors, friends and communities throughout the U.S. who believe we are a global family —“Klal Yisrael,” the Israel Guide Dog Center will continue to be a light for our 2-legged and 4-legged friends. A

Generations of Horseradish! Who Knew?!

At this time of year, no condiment is more ubiqutous; it is on every seder table in every Jewish household. But I never wondered about where it all comes from until I learned of a multi-generational family of horseradish growers now headed by Eric Rygg. SDJJ had some questions for Mr. Rygg

SDJJ: What led you to a career in horseradish?

Eric Rygg: My mother, Nancy Bartusch, grew up in Eau Claire, WI on a horseradish farm but moved away when she was in high school. She inherited Huntsinger Farms and Silver Spring Foods (the world’s largest grower and processor of horseradish) in 1972 after her immediate

family passed away in a tragic plane accident. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area and remember visiting the horseradish farm in Wisconsin every summer that I can remember. I was fascinated by the large farm equipment and noticed improvements in the processing plant after every trip. During the summers from age 18 to 21, I moved to Wisconsin

and had an opportunity to work on the farm. Starting from modest beginnings working on the groundskeeping crew (mowing lawns, pruning hedges, and sweeping out farm sheds), I eventually moved up to become a full-service member of the farm team with a commercial driver’s license. This allowed them to haul heavy equipment to and from the fields and bring crops to market. I worked my way through various departments of the company over the years, including production, distribution, marketing and sales, to eventually take over as president in 2018. As a 4th generation horseradish farmer, my heritage is deeply rooted in Wisconsin soil.

SDJJ: How do you get a child to eat horseradish?

ER: Our horseradish products with a lower zing factor, such as the cranberry horseradish, have been well-received due to their gentler kick. Our Food Innovation team of food scientists measure the zing and other quality indicators of horseradish using analytical

horseradish into sour cream, seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper, which pairs beautifully with steak or salmon. Additionally, stirring it into cottage cheese gives a delightful zing that we love.

SDJJ: Are your products in stores?

ER: You can find our Silver Spring,

SDJJ: What is your largest-selling time of year (after Passover,

Local Arts

THE OLD GLOBE THEATRE

theoldglobe.org

The Old Globe’s season on the Shiley Stage continues with “Ride,” a musical that hit it big in London before making its U.S. debut here in San Diego. The show takes audiences on a special ride with a 19th century woman as she embarks on a four-continent journey by bicycle. You can take the ride with her and enjoy a dose of humor and theatrics along with the songs through April 28

LAMB’S PLAYERS THEATRE

lambsplayers.org

The Lamb’s Players’ world premiere production of “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate” will continue to charm audiences through May 5. This new musical, based on an award-winning novel, tells the story of a bright young girl’s fascination with the natural world, encouraged by her special grandfather.

THE LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY

theconrad.org

The La Jolla Music Society will start the month off on April 7 by featuring Jakub Jozef Orlinski with

Il Pomo D’Oro, followed on the 12th by Quatuor Ebene. On April 14, Abel Selaocoe & Manchester Collective share the stage, followed on the 18th by Herbie Hancock. Dayramir Gonzalez & Habana enTrance are due on April 19, and Hiromi will perform on the 20th, followed on the 21st by Hiromi: The Piano Quintet. Pianist Yefim Bronfman will steal the spotlight on April 26 to complete the month’s offerings.

CYGNET THEATRE

cygnettheatre.com

Cygnet is featuring “an electropop opera” titled “Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812.” This bold and wildly original musical, adapted from Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” will be performed at Cygnet’s Old Town Theater April 10 through May 12. The show has been described as the most innovative new musical since “Hamilton.”

NORTH COAST REP

northcoastrep.org

North Coast Repertory Theatre is gearing up for the world premiere of “Sense of Decency,” a play based on the book, “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist.” This new work, directed by David Ellenstein, promises to be a surprise-laden exploration, full of insights and theatrical sparks. If you’re fascinated by this show’s potential, you can check it out April 17 through May 12.

SAN DIEGO OPERA

sdopera.org

San Diego Opera will present Puccini’s masterpiece, “Madama Butterfly,” on April 26 and 28. The heart-wrenching opera will be accompanied by the San Diego Symphony.

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART

sdmart.org

The San Diego Museum of Art will welcome back its annual Art Alive show April 26 -28. This popular event features floral artists interpreting in flora some of the paintings on display in the galleries. This year’s theme is the Art of India.

CORONADO PLAYHOUSE

coronadoplayhouse.org

Coronado Playhouse has taken on a children’s classic this month. “Tuck Everlasting,” a musical based on the novel, will be ensconced at the Playhouse April 26 through May 19

Harold Wilensky – San Diego

Harriet Polonsky – Peabody, MA

Raquel Cohen – La Jolla

Wolfert Pores – San Diego

Ianne Pruss – Santee

Lee Vann – San Diego

Elliot Kaufman – San Diego

Morton Goodman – Carlsbad

James Goldwasser – San Diego

Alan Springer – La Jolla

Laurence Reisner – Carlsbad

Alla Ledvina – San Diego

Bernice Borok – Sherman Oaks, CA

Joan Lotzof – San Diego

Sue Engelman – San Diego

Renee Kaswan – Rancho Santa Fe

Jacob Hurwitz – La Mesa

Jean Liberman – San Diego

Helaine Meyerson – Spring Valley

Dean Brown – San Diego

Sharon Balto – Carlsbad

Benjamin Weinbaum – La Jolla

Sandra Wexler – San Diego

On behalf of AM Israel Mortuary, We extend our condolences to the families of all those who have recently passed. The families of those listed above would like to inform the community of their passing.

Members of

Passover Halloumi “Schnitzel”

Halloumi is a standard meat-free main that I serve to even the pickiest of guests. Unlike “regular” cheese, this Cypriot cheese holds its shape when cooked, perfect for grilling, searing, or even serving as a salty crouton substitute. Inspired by my favorite dish that my Grandmother Eva would make, her famous Chicken Schnitzel made with cornflake crumbs, this Halloumi dish is perfect for your Passover meal. Matzah meal is spiced and used to coat slabs of savory cheese and fried to perfection because, really, who doesn’t love fried cheese?!

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 2, 8-oz packages of halloumi, patted dry

• 2 eggs, whisked

• 1 cup matzah meal

• 2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

• ¼ teaspoon pepper

• 4 tablespoons neutral oil

To serve:

• 1 lemon, cut into wedges

• ¼ cup parsley, chopped

PREPARATION:

1. Slice the halloumi into 1/2-inch slices, approximately 6 per package. Pat dry with a paper towel. Set aside.

2. Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl, and in a separate bowl combine matzah meal, garlic powder, paprika, sea salt and pepper.

3. Dip the halloumi in the eggs, and coat with the matzah meal mixture. Repeat with all the halloumi pieces. Transfer to a baking tray until ready to fry.

4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the hallumi, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until golden. Transfer to the lined cooling rack, and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with chopped parsley and lemon wedges.

Note: to reheat, place on a foil line baking sheet, and bake at 375 F for 5 minutes.

S.D. Jewish Men’s Choir’s Documentary Wins 3 Awards in Accolade Global Film Competition

Ruth Hertz Weber, director of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir, and co-producer, John Weber, have won three prestigious Awards of Recognition from The Accolade Global Film Competition. The awards for Documentary Short, Jewish Film, and Woman Filmmaker were given for the couple’s entertaining documentary, “Ale Brider” (All My Brothers), which portrays the camaraderie and diversity of the choir through the eyes of its dedicated members. “Ale Brider” features exceptional Jewish music and sound, with a healthy helping of humor and schmaltz sprinkled on top.

Director Ruth Hertz Weber stated that she was, “elated that this selfproduced labor of love created with (her) husband was honored with these

prestigious awards,” and “hoped the film would help preserve the legacy of the group, and attract new members to it.”

The Accolade recognizes film, television, videography and new media professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film and television industry.

In winning an Accolade, the Webers join the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award including the Oscar-winning production of “The Lady in Number Six” by Malcolm Clarke, the very talented Dave Bossert of Disney for his short documentary, “The Tunes Behind The

Toons,” Hollywood industry veteran Ron Howard for “When You Find Me,” and Highwire Films Australia for their popular ABC TV series, “twentysomething.”

Rick Prickett, who chairs The Accolade Global Film Competition, had this to say about the latest winners, “The Accolade is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world from powerhouse companies to remarkable new talent. The Accolade helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges were pleased with the exceptional high quality of entries. The goal of The Accolade is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.” A

The JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship Awards up to $5,000 for Higher Education Available to Jewish Students

The JFS-David Rubenstein Memorial Scholarship seeks to encourage students to treasure their Jewish heritage, reflect on their Jewish values, and better understand their connection to community. Awards up to $5,000 are based on financial need, academic performance, and community involvement. Applications are open to undergraduate and graduate students.

Application Deadline: April 8, 2024

For more information, visit www.jfssd.org/rubenstein

ADVICE

ASK MARNIE

Passover: Liberty, Freedom and Justice — Are We Losing Ours?

My Dear San Diegans:

Passover, or Pesach, commemorates the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their ultimate exodus to freedom. This story of redemption from slavery at about 5000 BCE is the “master story” of the Jewish People — a story that has shaped Jewish consciousness and secular values.

At the core of slavery is the ownership of people, depriving them of liberty, freedom and sometimes their lives. We saw this in all its horror in the treatment of African Americans and, of course, Jews during the Holocaust, among many other horrific examples.

I’m deeply troubled and growing more concerned about our values and the state of affairs in the U.S. and elsewhere, which I believe have set us up for a loss of liberty and a different, modern form of ownership.

In the spirit of Pesach, today I offer a commentary during this difficult time in our homeland and in our country. And while modern slavery, in the literal sense, still exists in the U.S. and the world (child/immigrant trafficking, forced labor and marriage), the issue for me today is the true meaning of freedom and liberty in our own country.

With no attempt to minimize the above, today, I feel enslaved.

The list is endless. Here are just a few considered thoughts.

Once you have virtually total access to a human being, you own that person.

I’m wildly outnumbered by others who hold a marked advantage over me and increasingly by businesses and institutions willfully, with deliberation, and even malice, exert control, power and influence, severely intruding on my rights, leaving me feeling more helpless than I have ever felt throughout the many decades of my life. Those rights I refer to are both Constitutional and administrative. These intrusions particularly apply to the First and Fourteenth Amendments, that is, free speech, freedom of worship, freedom of the press, the right to assemble and to criticize the government. What does that mean?

When I turn on the so-called news, I hear leaders cursing, insulting; I hear millennials insisting I call their

transexual buddy “them” or be labeled politically incorrect; I see blatant provocations of violence, all while the inescapable news cycles feature proselytizers who are too busy vying for ratings and Emmys to use the freedom of the First Amendment to convey fact and truth.

Where, then, is my freedom?

When I wake up and turn on my computer, it knows more about me than I do. It steals my most intimate material, pilfers my privacy, exposes me to every scummy scammer on earth, can blackmail me, sell my information and more. Once you have virtually total access to a human being, you own that person, just as Jeffrey Epstein held numerous people hostage with his complex secret knowledge base, allowing him to commit direct enslavement and sexual torture.

When I wake up my computer, like some mutant talking bobblehead, I hear, “Marnie, yesterday as you bought socks on SOCKERS, we at SNEAK have the perfect pink sneakers to match, just click on...,” and if I do, I get stuck there, and even if I don’t, I’m forced there.

What happened to the 14th amendment?

Here’s a new game to replace the legendary Monopoly. We can call it “Conglomerates,” which is how Bill Gates builds machines that change themselves all by themselves. It’s called “updating”

Advice continued

which is frequently another word for extortion as I have to buy new equipment constantly to match the other unneeded new equipment I didn’t install.

Apparently, a handful of conglomerates and billionaires own the world, including everything in it and on it. They form a tidy little group, thinking up ways to create even more distance between us, the people. These conglomerates each own 500 other companies, and these own another 500, and sometimes have deals with the others. Just yesterday, my printer failed because it didn’t match a Microsoft update, requiring me to fill out reams of forms, which didn’t work and will probably force me, as usual, to upgrade as the companies involved are in an Artificially Intelligent Bed somewhere. It took me three hours.

When I wake up, I also have to worry about my government not being on the stick regarding health and safety. Take the COVID Chicken Dance. Is it real? Is it catching? Is it spreading? Do we need to wear protective gear? Should we dare not go anywhere? Yes. No. No. Yes. Will COVID kill me? It almost did, but... if I take the shot, I could live OR die. How many meds or diseases, real or imagined, fall into these categories?

When I wake up, I can count on the Masters, the people, machines, conglomerates, government, law enforcement and media, to tell me what to buy, what to think and how to extort my funds. I can count on an internet that encourages distance and incites more violence, including school shootings, with games that leave the newest generation numb to horror. I can count on being sold a lifestyle and products that promote distance, paranoia and a distinct lack of empathy.

Sick societies come from sick people, the haters, the shooters, the scammers, the liars, the cheaters, and when they surround us, suffocating our choices, limiting our liberties, and we sit passively, are we not setting the groundwork for a modern-day takeover by the Masters?

When the average American has lost control of information privacy, is witnessing human rights violations by big businesses and technology, and is dealing with disreputable government agencies, in fact some of the very agencies assigned to protect us, it’s time to wake up, get assertive and know what’s going on.

The era of plagues is gone. But my own commitment to Strategic Relationship Thinking (SRT) is one critical way to ring the bell and arm people personally with strategies for good community and worldwide purpose, to take back what we are losing by the minute, and to preserve our liberty, freedom and justice. A

Marnie Macauley, MS, Columbia University – Creator of Strategic Relationship Thinking (an innovative way to solve problems), writer, editor, author, lecturer, clinician, and administrator – is a straightshooter, with a distinctive voice and take on the world in her columns, features and books. She has been nominated for both an Emmy and a Writers Guild award.

Cypress

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Lead Production Sponsors

Darlene Marcos Shiley

Lee and Frank Goldberg

CIVIC THEATRE | APRIL 26, 28 | 2024

Madama Butterfly tells the story of Cio-Cio-San, the loyal geisha at the heart of Puccini’s devastating tragedy, and the callous American naval officer, Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her.