June 2023

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PUBLISHERS

Mark Edelstein and Dr. Mark Moss

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jacqueline Bull

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Makayla Hoppe

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Eileen Sondak

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Donna D’Angelo

SENIOR CONSULTANT

Ronnie Weisberg

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Emily Bartell, Linda Bennett, Leorah Gavidor, Emily Gould, Judith Fein (Senior Travel Correspondent), Paul Ross (Senior Travel Photographer), Patricia Goldblatt, Pat Launer, Sharon Rosen Leib, Andrea Simantov, Marnie Macauley, Rabbi Jacob Rupp, Saul Levine, Rachael Eden, Sybil Kaplan.

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SDJJ is published monthly by San Diego Jewish Journal, LLC. Subscription rate is $24 for one year (12 issues). Send subscription requests to SDJJ, 7742 Herschel Ave., Suite H, La Jolla, CA 92037. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a free and open forum for the expression of opinions. The opinions expressed herein are solely the opinion of the author and in no way reflect the opinions of the publishers, staff or advertisers. The San Diego Jewish Journal is not responsible for the accuracy of any and all information within advertisements. The San Diego Jewish Journal reserves the right to edit all submitted materials, including press releases, letters to the editor, articles and calendar listings for brevity and clarity. The Journal is not legally responsible for the accuracy of calendar or directory listings, nor is it responsible for possible postponements, cancellations or changes in venue. Manuscripts, letters, documents and photographs sent to the Journal become the physical property of the publication, which is not responsible for the return or loss of such material. All contents ©2023 by San Diego Jewish Journal. The San Diego Jewish Journal is a member of the American Jewish Press Association and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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Leave Your Legacy

The Legacy Society is comprised of donors who, with generous foresight, have established a legacy gift to help ensure Jewish continuity from generation to generation. By giving form and substance to their dreams, each in his or her own way, these donors are enabling our community to meet the challenges of the future with Jewish values and traditions that are unshakable and deeply instilled. Charitable giving that provides for your Jewish community this year safeguards a strong Jewish community every year, through your lifetime and beyond. Make your commitment by joining our Legacy Society today.

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SoCal Summer Shindigs

In our modern era, we do not have the same schedule of new television shows in the fall and blockbuster comedy movies in the summer, but for local arts shows, you can count on summertime in San Diego.

We check in with The Old Globe for their new telenovela-inspired play. You can also sojourn into JFest as they make their first summer as an independent organization. We even added a spotlight feature to cover as much ground as we could — there is always so much to talk about!

The San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photographic Arts are merging (check out our News section for more). The Symphony is set up for their second full summer of shows at the Shell while their main indoor venue undergoes renovation. La Jolla Music Society is primed for another Summerfest.

Unfortunately, May Gray was preceded by “Graypril” this year (I groaned at both the corniness of that and also its accuracy) and as I write this it is hard to believe it is already June. It doesn’t feel like June. My family in other (usually colder) parts of the world have got to turn the tables on me this year and gush over the phone about how they’ve been shvitzing doing yard work while I sit with my soup and blanket. I do have hope though!

Summertime arts programs are a given in San Diego and so I also have faith that we will get a SoCal summer after all, maybe just a bit late. I hope to see you out and about with me as I sample all the city has on offer. A

Mary Epsten

GALA COMMITTEE: Ellen Addleson, Susan Arenson, Rusti Bartell, Rhonda Berger, Hildi Beyor, Cindy Bloch, Liz Coden, Dalia Cohen, Suzi Cohen, Avrille Copans, Jean Gaylis, Sylvia Geffen, Jeanne Gold, Robin Israel, Lisa Levine, Barbara Milstein, Annie Mound, Linda Otchis, Roselyn Pappelbaum, Shirley Pidgeon, Linda Platt, Laurayne Ratner, Elana Schiff, Karen Silberman, Isabelle Wasserman, Orna Wittenberg, Marcia Wolochow, Helene Ziman

With goblins, spellcasters and holiday heroes, board game makers are imagining new Jewish worlds

by Lindsay Eanet, JTA News

Running a not-so-Zagat-rated deli, dropping into a Chinese restaurant for Christmas Eve dinner and acting out a bat mitzvah that involves a vampire — for contemporary board game fans, those can be all in an evening’s play.

That’s because a crop of new games aims to merge Jewish ideas and experiences with the aesthetics and language of games such as Dungeons & Dragons. Dream Apart places

players in a fantastical reimagining of a 19th-century shtetl, for example, while J.R. Goldberg’s God of Vengeance draws inspiration from the

Jewish weavers craft their own heritage at this New Jersey synagogue’s ‘Loom Room’

by David Mark, JTA News

At a synagogue in New Jersey, you can make your prayer shawl and other woven Judaica items, drawing on an ethos that the most meaningful religious pieces are created by family members and friends.

Neve Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Metuchen, opened its Sisterhood Loom Room in 2015, offering equipment and instruction for congregants and an increasing number of visitors who want to weave a custom tallit — the familiar prayer shawls with knotted fringes, or tzitzit, attached to their four corners. The shawls, plus tallit bags, challah and matzah covers, frequently become gifts for bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings and other joyous life cycle events.

“If somebody weaves a tallit for you, or they participated in its design – something that’s hand-made – it’s like being hugged by them every time you put it on,” said Cory Schneider, co-creator of the Loom Room.

Yiddish play of the same name. In the games in Doikayt, a collection released in 2020, players can literally wrestle with G-d.

Known as tabletop role-playing games because they ask players to take on a character, these games and their creators imagine exciting new worlds, subvert classic tropes in fun and irreverent ways, and reinterpret Jewish history and identity.

Jason Schwartzman is a cantor and Carol Kane is his bat mitzvah student in comedy ‘Between the Temples’

by Gabe Friedman, JTA News

Jason Schwartzman is starring as a cantor who takes on an adult bat mitzvah student played by veteran actress Carol Kane in an upcoming comedy film.

“It’s the story of a cantor who is locked in a crisis of faith and finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher re-enters his life as his new adult bat mitzvah student,” Variety reported.

The 30th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival

June 1 – July 16, 2023 | sdjfest.org

14th Annual Women of Valor

June 1 at 7:30pm @ Lawrence Family JCC

June 11 at 1:00pm @ Leichtag Commons

Witnesses (One-Show-Only

Reunion Concert)

June 4 at 2:00pm @ Lawrence Family JCC

Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik:

Keynote

June 5 at 7:30pm @ Congregation Adat

Yeshurun, La Jolla

The Whole Megillah Festival

June 7 & June 11 @ Old Globe Theatre

July 6 & July 9 @ The Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center

“Neshama” Music of the Soul

June 8 at 7:30pm @ The Old Globe

Perla Batalla in House of Cohen: The Songs of Leonard Cohen

June 15 at 7:30pm @ The Lawrence Family JCC

15 events at 8 venues featuring award winning theatre, music, film, lectures, and dance. For full details scan this QR code.

theatre dybbuk: The Merchant of Venice (Annotated), or In Sooth I Know Not Why I Am So Sad

June 18 at 2:00pm @ Lawrence Family JCC Matisyahu

June 20th at 8:00pm @ Belly Up, Solana Beach

22nd Klezmer Summit: The World of Jewish Music

June 21 at 7:30pm @ The First Universalist Unitarian Church of San Diego

Yale Strom’s Recordially Yours, Lou Curtiss

June 25 at 7pm @ Digital Gym CINEMA, Park & Market

Eco-Jewish Play Fest - 7 plays. 24 hours to create. 1 night to enjoy!

July 16 at 6:00pm@ Coastal Roots Farms located at Leichtag Commons, Encinitas

Our Town

by Linda Bennett and Emily Bartell

We are so excited about Hadassah starting a new Chapter in East County. It is with great pride that Marsha Starr and Linda Bennett are helping to form this new section to stimulate new interest through fresh programming–in support of Hadassah’s overall mission. Some of those who have shown interest in being involved are Robin Barron, Roz Allina, Sharon Braverman, Judy Zagulie, Carolyn Cohen, Judy Rosenthal and Andrea Schneider

100-year-old Holocaust survivor Joseph Alexander was the honored guest speaker at Chabad of Poway for Yom HaShoah. The multicultural packed room of young and old paid special attention to his message: while it is important to remember the lessons of the past, it is also important to keep a sense of joy and hope alive. This Yom HaShoah program marked exactly four years to the day after the shooting at the synagogue that killed one and injured many others. Some of those we ran into were Bernie Blotner, Doris Jaffee, Jeff Korn, Rosie Jacobson, Sandra Scheller and Jenn Shemi along with Ethan (11) and Davis (9).

Wow! What a spectacular evening! Jewish Family Service held its annual Heart and Soul Gala at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park. The 2023 Mitzvah honorees were Joan & Irwin Jacobs and Marie Raftery & Dr. Bob Rubinstein. Gala Chairs, Jerri-Ann & Gary Jacobs and Tammy & Louis Vener created a fabulous evening with a theme “Planting For the Future” that will not soon be forgotten. With a full evening of dinner, dancing and auction, some of the smiling faces we ran into were Lee Goldberg, Annie Nagorner, Eddie Goldberg, Suzi

& Bernie Feldman, Susanna & Michael Flaster, Larry Katz, Zach Cohn, Julie & Mitch Dubick, Warren & Neola Treisman, Emily & Chris Jennewein, Robert Schapera, Rabbis’ Phillip Graubart & Susan Freeman, Alberta Feurzeig, Lee Maio and Deborah Bucksbaum, Susan Shmalo, Nancy & Alan Spector, Gregory Feldman, Pauli & David Feldman, Jennifer & Robert Handler, Congresswoman Lynn Schenk and Terry Fechter, Judi Gottschalk, Jennifer & Mathew Kostrinsky, Danielle & Brian Miller, Linda & Larry Okmin, Lori Shearer and Brian Haubenstock, Fern Siegel, Jill Stone, Dan Gardenschwartz, Julie Bear and Laurie Black.

Mazel Tov to Michael Waterstone on being appointed Dean of UCLA School of Law. Michael is the husband of San Diego native Julie Waterstone (Kaplan) and son-inlaw of Susan & George Kaplan

Mazel Tov to Professor Alyssa Sepinwell for being named “Best Teacher” in the California State University System.

Mazel Tov to Zoe Lawson on becoming a Bat Mitzvah on Feb. 18 in Los Angeles. Zoe’s parents, Nicole & Josh Lawson, along with grandparents Rabbi Marty & Anita Lawson and Pam & Myles Hirsch, plus sibling Talia (10) were so excited to take part in such a joyous family life cycle event.

Mazel Tov to Leah Epstein on becoming a Bat Mitzvah at Temple Beth Shalom in Las Vegas on Apr. 29. Leah’s parents, Linda & Lyle Epstein, along with sibling Lily were beaming with pride. Leah is the Grandchild of Michele Kipnis & Barry Epstein (z”l).

North County Repertory Theatre

2023 Spotlight Gala, “GALA IN THE GARDEN”

May 21 at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Carlsbad

Yom Huledets Sameach to...

Diana Hahn celebrating her 99th birthday.

Sam Krasner celebrating his 92nd birthday.

Roann Krasner celebrating her 88th birthday.

CELEBRATING Wedding Anniversaries

with infinite love & happiness, Mazel Tov to…

Roann & Sam Krasner, 70 years.

Norma & Werner Dreifuss, 69 years.

Lani & Herbert McCoy, 53 years.

Vicki & Howard Gelbtuch, 50 years.

Making critically important family decisions in the aftermath of emotional life changes can be extremely difficult. Our dedicated family law attorneys can help you navigate the complex divorce process with clarity.

Making critically important family decisions in the aftermath of emotional life changes can be extremely difficult. Our dedicated family law attorneys can help you navigate the complex divorce process with clarity.

Divorce, high conflict child custody, alternative dispute resolution, and more.

Divorce, high conflict child custody, alternative dispute resolution, and more.

Making critically important family decisions in the aftermath of emotional life changes can be extremely difficult. Our dedicated family law attorneys can help you navigate the complex divorce process with clarity. Divorce,

Chack Fleischer

Founder Myra Chack Fleischer

Artistic Director David Ellenstein and development director Denise Young, co-chair Laura Applegate, co-chair Sarah and Richard King.

Bill Kerlin (NCRT managing director), John Major, Darlene Shiley (2023 Champion for the Arts honoree), Sue Major, Susan and Bill Hoehn.

PHOTOS: VINCENT ANDRUNAS

LIVING ON THE FRONT PAGE

by Andrea Simantov | andreasimantov@gmail.com

That Which Remains

Babies. Born with clenched fists, they are natural “takers,” ready to grab. Food, attention and, in a perfect world, they demand and receive oodles of love. We in turn expect nothing from them except for them to take, take and take all that we have to give. This is the nature of the beginning of human life. There are no expectations of them taking on household chores or making equitable financial contributions.

These most helpless newborns on the planet certainly take a long time emerging from the figurative, protective cocoon of birth and early, heady days of post-pregnancy coddling and nurturing. But when they ultimately step out on shaky legs into the sunshine of the complex world that sits just beyond the driveway, we pray that they are adequately equipped with enough curiosity and self-preservation skills to navigate any and all reasonable challenges that lie in their paths.

Children that are born into culturally Jewish families intuit the rhythm of the Hebrew calendar with nary a blink. They eagerly await the lighting of Hanukkah candles; become excited in the days leading up to Passover and accompanying household upheaval; and anticipate the central roles that they, as children, hold in the retelling of the story. And what can be more daunting and joyous than planning the perfect Purim costume while dreaming of the mishloach manot sweets that will be delivered throughout the day? Indeed,

the calendar becomes part of the Jewish child’s DNA even before he or she becomes a bar/bat mitzvah.

The holiday of Shavuot allows us, in military lingo, to “re-up” at the Heavenly Recruitment Office. It marks the onset of the Jewish wedding season whereby we, too, “retake our vows.” The Torah remains Creation’s blueprint and we are exhorted to re-read the contract at this time before summer vacations distract us from the serious work of remaining holy. But is it enough to ‘allow’ our tradition to determine the outcome of our product, i.e., the children?

A powerful tune from the 1949 Broadway show “South Pacific” is “You’ve Got to Be Taught.” (Even James Taylor recorded a folksy version!) The powerful

lyrics intone that hatred and fear are part of conditioning.

You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,

Before you are six or seven or eight, To hate all the people your relatives hate,

You’ve got to be carefully taught....

These lyrics haunt me at the most inconvenient times. Perhaps it is because I live in a country that many would wish by wiped from the map; maybe it’s the unending protests that pit Israeliagainst-Israeli with deafening shouts that drown out any hope of normative discourse; maybe it’s our uniformed teenagers who are made to carry guns during their formative years, postponing

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by Rabbi Jacob Rupp | rabbirupp@gmail.com

The Value of Experience:

How I leveraged my lessons learned into running my own business

A friend of mine recently remarked that I was the “heart of darkness” because I had created a virtual assembly line of new coaches who didn’t have (in his words) “proper training or experience.”

Rather than taking offense, I interpreted his remark with pride. After all, this was a validation of my principle: there is a massive inefficiency in the world when it comes to education and training. The real value isn’t on the modalities we’ve learned, but on the experience we’ve had and how we can help others based on it.

I don’t buy into the ever-less-popular idea that in order to be able to help someone, you need an MBA or Ph.D. Sure, if you want that, go for it, but I’ve received massive amounts of training, coaching, and help from those without it and I have built a business helping people without any need for formal training as well.

I was drawn to coaching because I possess a genuine desire to help people and, at the same time, wanted (needed) to make a living. At the time I launched my business, I had already acquired years of experience helping people in mindset, relationships and spirituality. I knew people could transform based on my insights and I wanted to have people directly invest in working with me, instead of working at a job. My aim was to leverage my existing knowledge to make a living while continuing to assist

others and after mastering a few skills (again, not getting some “accreditation” or “certificate,”) I was off to the races.

The road to mastery in any field is paved with experience. Making mistakes and learning from them is an essential part of growth. By embracing the opportunity to gain practical experience, and help others not make the same mistakes I had, I could both rapidly develop my skills and refine my craft while helping others. Making enough money from coaching allowed me to focus solely on honing my abilities without having to return to a day job.

This financial stability allowed me to immerse myself in my practice, becoming more proficient with each client interaction. That’s the way to do it. So often, I speak with people who want to help change the world, but aren’t

making enough money to do it full-time. So...I sought to address that problem and help people build coaching businesses that would allow them that freedom.

Coaching is not limited to those who have previously identified as coaches or taken courses. People with diverse backgrounds can offer great value from business owners to teachers, therapists, clergy members, fundraisers and mentors. For instance, someone who has achieved personal weight loss or has mastered their mindset and emotional well-being can impart their knowledge to others. Clients are often willing to pay for guidance and expertise based on real-life experiences.

This was the big mindset shift for me and has been for so many.

Contrary to selling expensive products with an emphasis on theoretical frameworks, my coaching approach prioritizes practical outcomes. While I provide the necessary frameworks and fundamentals, my primary focus lies in helping clients close deals and generate income quickly. By doing so, clients gain the firsthand experience required to become more skilled coaches while simultaneously earning a living. This hands-on approach distinguishes my coaching style from the plethora of options available that may overload individuals with information but lack real-world application.

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The road to mastery in any field is paved with experience. Making mistakes and learning from them is an essential part of growth.

higher learning while they patrol the borders so that my grandchildren and I might sleep more safely at night. And if the strife in Israel isn’t enough, school shootings and mall sieges across America make us wring our hands in solidarity while we gasp at the plethora of anti-Semitic incidents that plague college campuses. Synagogues requiring security personnel for Jews to gather in prayer? For shame.

Fear is exhausting. Hate even more so. With such a short sojourn on the planet, I deeply believe that there are issues in which we must become involved despite experiencing accompanying discomfort. “Ethics of Our Fathers” (Pirkei Avot) teaches that “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Because those same babies, after 120 years, do not depart this world with the clenched ‘taking’ fists of their infancies. Upon death, the human hand lays open and empty. All that man has done, taught, experienced and learned is left for others to reflect upon and, hopefully, build upon. We take nothing with us. The message of a life is left behind.

To leave a legacy, one has to be carefully taught. A

Considering how many hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent on “big education” where people come out highly decorated with degrees but aren’t sure how to build a business or get experience, the concept of making money as you go is something that I wish had been an option in my educational career.

Sure, being without certification for some may be scary. But if you ever wanted to help others and be paid to do it, I encourage you to rise above the noise and define success for yourself. One of my early influences is the great Seth Godin. He rocked my world when he said that no one was going to give you permission. You just had to take it.

This shifted everything for me because my educational career had trained me that I’d be ready when I had my diploma or some letters behind my name. Frankly, it’s been a lot more fun and lucrative to just give myself permission than to wait for a red-bricked institution to do that for me.

If you were also waiting for permission...

Stop waiting. A

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If I wouldn’t have contacted Judith, my life would be very different. I wanted to thank Judith for the time and persistence to find me the right person.

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All ages and backgrounds Read

JFest Renews Its Vows For Meaningful Jewish Art in Its 1st Year as an Independent Organization

by Jacqueline Bull

When the San Diego Repertory Theatre, the home of JFest, announced it would be pausing all programming indefinitely, the fate of the festival was unknown.

“Sometime after that in the late summer/early fall of 2022 Todd and I got together and we just said, ‘We want to keep this thing going,’” Matthew Graber said.

“We felt that the festival was too beloved, too important to audiences and artists and too exciting to say we’re going to pause the festival too,” Todd Salovey said.

In that sit-down, they talked about the programs they wanted to bring, put together a budget and “took a big gulp” looking at the money they needed to raise. They decided to give themselves until March 2023 to raise the money and if they were short, that was when they would start cutting programs.

In the meantime, they needed a performance facility, a box office and an accounting department.

“What happened was we were doing the ‘Women of Valor’ at the Rep on the same day the Rep was announcing they were going on pause. We were honoring Betzy Lynch as one of the women of valor and in the audience was Joyce Axelrod, the beloved founder of the SD Jewish

film festival. Joyce turned to me and said ‘What are you going to do in the future?’ And I said, ‘I don’t know.’ And she said ‘You need to talk to Betzy.’ [laughs]” Todd said.

“The JCC had all the things we needed,” Matt said. “We sat down and had a meeting with Betzy about what we wanted and what we needed. Betzy was like, ‘Ok you got it.” And away we went [laughs]. It’s been a great partnership.”

Looking Back

2023 marks the 1st year for JFest to stand as its own organization and also marks the 30th anniversary of the festival.

“It really takes my breath away to think about JFest being 30 years old,” Todd said.

JFest started as a one-day festival in one location. Three years later it grew to one week. This year they are doing 14 events at eight different locations.

“It just feels amazing to me. What I love about doing the festival is that we create so many new programs and help conceive and nourish and nurture so many new plays and dances and pieces of music, so the work that we see in one year of the festival doesn’t just stop there. The programs that we do take on

a life of their own. They are produced around the country and around the world. Just last week the play that we developed through the festival ‘The Blessing of a Broken Heart’ that I wrote and directed and Becca Myers and Ali Viterbi were in as teenage girls just opened in Jerusalem three weeks ago. It just feels as though the work is having a big impact,” Todd said.

Preparing for 2023

By April they made their goal.

“Matt and I looked at each other and said, ‘This is really going to happen.’”

Todd expressed a desire that a month prior to the festival people would get a brochure in the mail of all the programming, look at it and say, “It’s as great as ever.” Both Todd and Matt expressed they feel they’ve accomplished that.

“The community seems really excited about our partnership with California Center for the Arts in Escondido and the revival concert of ‘Witnesses’ which was rated as the San Diego Critics Awards ‘Outstanding New Production’ last year,” Matt said.

“It won best direction and best production. When we began talking to the creators of ‘Witnesses,’ we didn’t know it would win these awards so the fact that

we are getting to present it for people who didn’t get a chance to see it up in Escondido is really exciting,” Todd said.

Two other brand new programs they mentioned are “Neshama” and “EcoJewish Play Fest, 7 plays. 24 hours to create. 1 night to enjoy!” The former started with creator Becca Myers (and Festival Associate Producer) posing the question “What does a Jewish soul mean to you?” to some of San Diego’s most accomplished musicians and artists. The latter is homed at Coastal Roots farm who pitched the idea of a 24-hour play fest to the JFest team who loved the concept.

The Vision of the Festival

“I think it’s really important right now because in today’s day and age there is obviously a rise in antisemitism and I think art is the best way to counter that. I think that through art we can ‘un-otherize’ ourselves. I think about ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in that regard because ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ showed these Jews in these shtetls of Russia and humanized them in a way and removed mystery. And it showed that they were people that lived and died and married and tried to preserve their tradition and were also oppressed,” Matt said.

2023 marks the 1st year for JFest to stand as its own organization and also marks the 30th anniversary of the festival.

“I find if you do something which is unapologetically Jewish and captures some of the essential nature of what Judaism is then audiences across cultures can relate to it,” Todd said.

“When it started, I think it was really focused on doing something wonderful and beautiful for the community, but I think now the vision of it is bigger: it’s to be part of the cultural community of San Diego...and bringing people from across the many miles of our county and North County to create community and to create an understanding. It’s changed for me and I think that our vision of what we are doing now and what we hope to do in the future is a lot bigger than the one day of Jewish arts that we started 30 years ago,” Todd said.

At the end of my conversations with Todd and Matt, I asked them what they hoped they would feel when after so much planning and work, they would be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

“I tell you what I’m really, really looking forward to. This is the first fully produced festival post-Covid. I’m looking forward to June 1, the ‘Women of Valor,’ celebrating all these amazing women in our community — including our very own Sheila Lipinsky — and I’m looking forward to standing in the

lobby afterwards with all our friends and family and raising a glass to the festival continuing,” Matt said.

“What’s most important to me is that at each of the shows you feel the audience has experienced something special. That’s why when the Rep 30 years ago asked me to direct the JFest I originally said no [laughs]. I said I’m not sure that’s what I want to do and then I said ‘I’ll do it for a year,’” Todd said. “That day [I could feel that] the audience felt nachas, that the audience felt a sense of pride and ownership. It was a day celebrating what we feel being Jewish and we’re sharing it and we’re sharing it together. Putting stuff together that creates that feeling is a rush. I want to recapture that in every single show that we do...If there is that buzz in the audience, if they are talking to each other, if they are smiling, if they are breathing differently, they feel they’ve been through something meaningful. Some events draw huge crowds, some events have smaller crowds, but if we are touching people we are offering the magic of an artistic experience of being Jewish.” A

“What’s most important to me is that at each of the shows you feel the audience has experienced something special.”

TODD SALOVEY

Summer Arts 2023

by Makayla Hoppe

Whether you’re looking for dance, portraits or musical performances, the San Diego art scene will have what you’re looking for this summer.

SYMPHONY

Although the new Jacobs Music Center won’t hold any performances until Nov. 2023, the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park will continue to fill the San Diego Bay with beautiful music.

The Summer 2023 Opening Night on June 30 features Conductor Rafael Payare with Pacho Flores on trumpet alongside the San Diego Symphony. The performance promises “a night of dancing and iconic melodies.” The show will open with Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story.”

In July, the Symphony will perform James Horner’s score for “Apollo 13.” Presented by Film Concerts Live!, the Symphony will play alongside the movie projected on screen. The Ron Howard

film was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including best original score. The Symphony will feature Tchaikovsky X. Drake for a unique blend of genres. From creator and Conductor Steve Hackman, the production “is a symphonic synthesis that blends the music of two composer-romanticists separated by almost a century.” The performance includes 22 Drake songs alongside Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.

In August, the Symphony will perform its annual Beethoven by the Bay. This year features Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4, Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” and the Overture to “Fidelio.”

The Shell will also host a range of performers and bands not affiliated with the Symphony. Throughout the summer, the Shell will have Pepper; John Legend; Earth, Wind & Fire; Cake; The Jacksons and Village People; Gladys Knight and Pati LaBelle and Michael Bolton.

Visit theshell.org for further information.

SD MUSEUM OF ART

From German Expressionism to the arts of Southeast Asia and everything in between, the San Diego Museum of Art will have a wide range of exhibitions to view this summer.

“O’Keeffe and Moore” will run until Aug. 27; the exhibition pays tribute to the influential Modernists. While the collection features Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings and Henry Moore’s sculptures, the exhibition also features recreations of the two artists’ studios including original tools and furnishings. Over 100 art pieces will be displayed from national and international collections.

Honoring our local landscape, “Of Sea and Sand: California Paintings” displays the beauty of the Golden State. California’s beaches, deserts and mountains will all be represented in the collection. Many of the pieces are done in an impressionistic or postimpressionistic style.

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Local artist Carlo Miranda has created 10 hyperrealistic paintings that show the complexity of the human condition. His collection, “In Search of Sonder,” depicts the people closest to him in oil on panel. The word “sonder” is defined as “the profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s personal lack of awareness of it.”

Visit sdmart.org for the full list of exhibitions.

MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS

On June 8, MOPA will present The Blue Water Film Festival. The festival celebrates the United Nations’ World Oceans Day and San Diego’s contributions to marine science. There will be screenings of “Who Are the Marcuses?” and “The Water Walker.”

Showing through Sep. 24 is “Video

Portraits” by Robert Wilson. The images combine references to film, theater, sculpture, design, photography and contemporary culture. Wilson’s collection of creative elements includes costumes, makeup and choreography.

The museum is holding an exhibition that pays tribute to influential photographer Julia Margaret Cameron through Sep. 3. Cameron pioneered close-up photography and soft-focus shots during the Victorian Era; her work included depicting characters from literature and mythology in addition to portraits. MOPA is the first gallery in the United States to show the extensive collection.

Visit mopa.org for the full list of exhibitions.

MALASHOCK DANCE

On June 9, they will hold a free exhibition and reception showcasing dance through photography. The event is being co-produced with Outside the Lens, whose students worked with dance photographer Doug McMinimy to capture the performances.

“ENVZN23: URBAN ART TAKEOVER” will be held on Sep. 2 and span multiple locations. Warehouses and other industrial spaces in Logan Heights will be transformed into “multi-sensory art interventions by creatives from both sides of the U.S./Mexico border.” The event is described as a festival featuring live dance, theater, puppetry and musical numbers. ENVZN23 will be a recurring event throughout the year-long celebrations of World Design Capital San Diego.

Visit malashockdance.org for further information.

LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY

A TedXSanDiego production will take place at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla on June 11. For the 13th year, “Seeds of Change” will show some of San Diego’s most visionary speakers, dancers, musicians and visual artists. It will be a half-day event and include short talks and performances.

Toward the end of June and the beginning of July, La Jolla Music Society will host “Opera Neo: Cabaret,” featuring opera and operetta performances. Food and drink are available to purchase

at this light-hearted evening of musical fun.

“Opening Night: Expect the Unexpected’’ will be helmed by Alan Gilbert, principal conductor of Hamburg’s Elbephilharmonie and former New York Philharmonic music director. The musical performances of the evening will not be disclosed prior to the event; music Director Inon Barnatan has created a program that he believes audiences will enjoy “like an Omakase meal at a sushi restaurant, inviting you to trust the chef to create an unforgettable experience.”

On Aug. 6, audiences will hear Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring,” a musical composition depicting a pagan ritual. The piece has been influential throughout history, even inspiring Walt Disney’s 1940 film “Fantasia.” This performance will see an arrangement done with two different pianists. Titled “Myths and Rites,” the evening will include other musical works inspired by Greek mythology.

Visit theconrad.org for a full list of performances.

ICASD

On June 23, ICA will host “Wine and Wheel,” an evening of pottery and socializing. Sit at the wheel and create an original piece all your own while in the company of other art lovers. The resident ceramics lab coordinator will teach you how to make a bowl, vase or plate. The event requires reservations and spots fill up quickly.

Brothers Jamex and Einar de la Torre are showcasing their “Post-Columbian Futurism” art exhibition at ICA through Aug. 20. The pieces combine Mexican, American, and Indigenous cultural iconographies to tell a story about the dangers of overconsumption. Covering over 6,000 square feet, the exhibition will include projections, floor coverings and glass sculptures.

Visit icasandiego.org for information on reservations and all current exhibitions. A

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Delicious Melodrama at The Old Globe

by Makayla Hoppe

The cast of Destiny of Desire. PHOTO BY JIM COX.

Historically, the American soap opera and Latin-American telenovela are cut from the same cloth. In the 1930s, soap companies began producing their own dramatized radio serials to sell products and some started production in Cuba to sell to a broader demographic. Over the years, the programs were adapted for television and began to look like the dramas we know today.

The soap companies stopped sponsoring the Cuban productions throughout the 1950s; after the Cuban Revolution, many actors, directors and crewmembers emigrated and took their knowledge and talent along with them. The soap opera has had its ups and downs with American audiences, but after 60 years, the telenovela is the most popular form of storytelling on the planet.

“Two billion people watch these kinds of stories every day all over the world,” said playwright Karen Zacarias. Karen’s play, “Destiny of Desire,” takes the telenovela genre and adapts it for the stage.

“We played ‘telenovela’ when we were growing up — my sister, my cousins and I — and it was always about, you know, pretend slapping each other and slamming doors and giving [dirty] looks,” she said. “It was just so fun and so over the top; it was something that was part of the atmosphere of growing up in Mexico. The people watched telenovelas, and we all understood the tropes of it even at a young age.”

Karen’s staged telenovela tells the story of two baby girls in the fictional

town of Bellarica, Mexico. One is born into a life of wealth and privilege and the other is born into a life of poverty. Suddenly, an ex-beauty queen with a lust for power swaps the babies and sets the stage for “two outrageous misfortunes to grow into one remarkable destiny.” The story is filled with plenty of the telenovela tropes Karen grew up with.

“I don’t know why nobody locks their doors,” Karen said. “People walking in on people doing terrible things they shouldn’t be seeing — when I watch these things, I’m like, ‘Why doesn’t he just lock the door?’— so that happens again and again in the play.”

The play is a comedy, but it’s still filled with genuine drama. “The characters are really going through the emotions... You’ll be laughing and laughing and then suddenly you won’t be laughing anymore. We’re making an homage; we’re not making fun of [telenovelas],” Karen said.

Although many people might associate the telenovela with Mexico, the programs are also produced throughout Central and South America. Director Ruben Santiago-Hudson wanted to ensure that different countries were represented in the staged production.

“In my rehearsal room, I had a flag of each different country placed on the wall, so we could look each day we walked into rehearsal and understand the power and impact of Latin culture–how vast it is,” said Ruben. “So the music that I put in this play is music from several different Latin styles... You know, I mix it up — I do a lot of different things.”

Music and dance styles include salsa, cumbia, reggaetón, hip hop and folklorico, with choreography by Lorna Ventura.

Ruben is familiar with telenovelas, especially since performing in soap operas like “One Life To Live” and “All My Children.”

“I love the glamour of it,” he said, “I love the music and I love how beautiful the women are and how flamboyant the men are. I would look at it for amusement, but I never knew that I’d be directing anything that would actually pay respect to it.”

There’s also layers of depth to this melodramatic story.

“I’ve added the idea that as crazy as a soap opera or telenovela can be, there’s something truthful — real life is always crazier... There’s a constant reminder of how this applies to everyday Americans’ lives and is not some foreign kind of storytelling,” said Karen.

“That’s where the melodrama comes in,” Ruben said. “Everything is urgent, everything is heightened, but it’s also real. And it’s deep, deep, deep.”

“Destiny of Desire” runs until June 25 at The Old Globe and Karen hopes audiences will love the drama just as much as she does.

“We did a designer run for part of the staff at The Old Globe and it was so funny because people audibly gasped — they didn’t see a certain twist coming, and then it’s so devastating when it does,” she said. “It can be devastating or delicious.”

A

The play is a comedy, but it’s still filled with genuine drama.

“The characters are really going through the emotions... You’ll be laughing and laughing, and then suddenly you won’t be laughing anymore.”

While sitting on a park bench in Washington, D. C., contemplating the death of her husband, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt candidly reveals the many facets of her storied life. Award-winning actor Kandis Chappell deftly illuminates the witty, feisty, vulnerable woman who was considered the heart of FDR’s presidency. Exploring both the public and private persona of this remarkable woman, Mark St. Germain (Dancing Lessons, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Freud’s Last Session) captures the essence of the woman who left an indelible mark on American history. For those who love honest, pull-no-punches drama, this is one you cannot miss.

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The Ruby in Seacrest’s Crown: President Pam Ferris

by Jacqueline Bull

This year’s Seacrest Gala, the Ruby Jubilee Gala, celebrates 35 years of leadership from President and CEO, Pam Ferris, and the 80th anniversary of Seacrest Village. On July 8, nearly 500 guests are expected to enjoy a champagne and cocktail reception, dinner and entertainment by Bonnie Foster Productions. The event co-chairs are Merril and Robert Haimsohn, Robin and Leo Eisenberg, and Erica and Steven Ratner.

Ahead of the gala, SDJJ spoke to Pam Ferris to reflect and reminisce on her time at Seacrest.

SDJJ: Congratulations on being honored at this year’s gala. What are some things you look back on from your 35 years of service?

Pam Ferris: First, it’s amazing to think that I’ve been with Seacrest for 35 years, as it seems like yesterday, I was a young college student completing an internship program at the 54th St. Hebrew Home! I was honored to return there in 1989

as the administrator. The thing that impressed me the most was that most of the staff with whom I had worked eight years earlier were still there. In fact, one of the employees is still with us after working 20 years at our 54th St. Home and then transferring to Seacrest Village in Encinitas in 1990. Joyce Lundin has continued her life’s work as a caregiver in our healthcare center these past 34 years making her total years of service to the Hebrew Homes 54 years!

SDJJ: Any anecdotes from that time that you would like to share?

PF: There are many fascinating and memorable stories that have occurred over the years, although a few come to mind.

1. You never know you’re going to meet at Seacrest! Years ago, two residents were sitting across the table from one another at dinner and during their conversation learned they were on the very same boat that brought them to Ellis Island from Europe.

A physician and his wife moved to Seacrest from New York and when I asked a particular resident whether she had met the new couple, her response was, “Yes, and you won’t believe it, but the doctor did surgery on my infant son 60 years ago in New York!”

2. We’re never too old for love! Several residents over the years have experienced a newfound love in their life they never dreamed possible after the loss of their spouse. One couple even married after meeting each other at Seacrest. This has been most wonderful to see and should be a reminder that one is never too old for love!

3. The things people say during a crisis! In 2007, it was necessary to evacuate the two campuses we had at the time due to wildfires. As many of our residents and staff made our way to Congregation Beth Israel for safety, the synagogue staff let their congregants know what was happening, and before we knew it, people arrived with pillows, blankets, games,

Residents with Pam (center).

Whatever floats your boat,

Seacrest Village offers:

• A generous variety of life enrichment alternatives featuring fitness, culinary, and cultural programs

• The Ottenstein Fitness Center boasting weights, machines, treadmills, Peloton,© lap and therapy pools

• Daily walk, stretch (standing and seated), and yoga classes (standing and seated)

• Tasty menus inspired by the creativity of our chefs—with the oversight of a dietitian— which contain top-quality ingredients

• The gorgeous Chodorow Synagogue with services every Saturday and High Holy Day Observances

• Meals, cable/internet, and housekeeping included!

music, etc.! As bedtime approached, I leaned down to the floor to say good night to our resident Sylvia, and she smiled and said, “Pam, my daughter begged me to go to her house instead of coming here, but I wouldn’t have missed this experience for anything!”

Another resident earlier that afternoon was helped up from a couch by our wonderful Chief Financial Officer, Brad, and as he pulled her up to him with his arms under hers for safety, she looked right at him and said, “Wow, it’s been years since a good-looking man has held me like this!”

SDJJ: 80 years is a tremendous benchmark and a great achievement. How much has Seacrest grown/changed during your portion of that time there?

PF: When I transferred to Seacrest in 1990 from the Hebrew Home, there was one building operational, The Lee & Frank Goldberg Residence Court, which was serving approximately 100 residents. My focus was to open our 58-bed Joseph & Dorothy Goldberg Healthcare Center, which we did in 1990 and the Stein Center, a day care program for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia that opened in 1991. These three buildings were the only ones that existed when I came to Seacrest.

The remaining buildings that are now on the campus were designed and developed over the next many years to address unmet needs and allow us to serve even more people. As the needs expanded, so did Seacrest.

In 1998, we opened the Lipinsky Administration Building, Mel’s Place and the Leichtag Family Assisted Living Residence, comprising 40 units. In 2001, Seacrest purchased an adjacent 1.8 parcel of land that became available in anticipation of a future expansion. In 2007, we opened our Katzin Residence, a 24-unit memory care facility, and in 2011, we opened 30 more independent living units, and our Ottenstein Vitality Center which includes both the Esther & Bud Fischer Aquatics and Fitness Center, and the Ellen & Ingram Chodorow

Synagogue. In 2013, Seacrest at Home became a reality that has allowed us to serve thousands of clients both in our Seacrest community as well as our greater community.

The one constant that has never waned during my time with the Hebrew Homes is the commitment and dedication of our incredible staff, lay leaders and our San Diego community. Their tremendous support has allowed the organization to grow and flourish so that we can better meet the needs of those we serve. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

SDJJ: What are some things you are most proud of that you’ve been a part of at Seacrest?

PF: I am proud of our organization’s priority to serve Holocaust survivors. Our staff is trained about the Holocaust, the unique challenges survivors may experience as older adults and how to best address them.

I am proud of our ability to bring people with a passion for serving older adults into our Seacrest family and/or into the field of long-term care. For years we have hosted a multitude of students who do their clinical training with us to become certified nursing assistants, licensed vocational nurses, registered nurses and clinical dietitians. It has been wonderful to watch people grow in a variety of positions, too. A few examples include Juan, our long-time baker, who went to school to become a pastry chef, our incredibly dedicated Director of Building Services, Martha, who began as a housekeeper with us 32 years ago, our Infection Prevention Nurse, Sam, who began here as a certified nursing assistant and is now a licensed nurse serving in a leadership role. Attracting and retaining people who share our passion to do this important work is what has led to our success. The strength of any organization is its people, and when we take great care of our staff, they take great care of our residents.

I am proud of the many expansions and the creation of our home care agency,

Seacrest at Home, that have taken place over the years which have allowed us to better serve our community. Not only are we serving many more people, but they are living in buildings that were designed and developed with great intention to help them age successfully. In addition, we are currently revisiting the earlier buildings to make sure they continue to meet the needs of residents so that they remain current and will continue to allow residents to age with independence and comfort.

I am proud of the way our dedicated staff and Jewish community responded to the wildfires in 2007. We will be forever grateful to our dear friends at Congregation Beth Israel who allowed the majority of our residents to “camp out” in their social hall for three days during this very uncertain and scary time.

I am extremely proud of our Seacrest family who worked tirelessly through the COVID-19 pandemic to care for our residents and who handled the situation with tremendous determination, positivity and grace. We were all touched by the generosity of our lay leaders, residents, families, friends, colleagues and the overall community who helped us through this unprecedented time.

SDJJ: Anything else you would like to add?

PF: I have been able to stay at Seacrest for almost my entire career because my personal values are very much in alignment with the organization’s. I am committed, along with the leadership team, board members, stakeholders, families and staff to making sure those in our care are treated with the dignity and respect they so deserve. This can only happen with a team who shares those values and has a passion for serving older adults. Seacrest is blessed to have an extraordinary staff that never ceases to amaze me with their love, caring, kindness, and compassion for our residents, families and each other. A

With greater representation, an on-stage

‘Transparent’ musical looks to transcend the Amazon show’s rocky ending

by Shira Li Bartov, JTA News

When the Amazon series “Transparent” premiered in 2014, America had never met a family like the Pfeffermans on TV.

The hit dramedy, following a Jewish family of three adult siblings whose parent comes out as a transgender woman in her 60s, was the first scripted series to center on a transitioning character. The show won eight Emmys out of 28 nominations, along with awards from GLAAD and the NAACP.

“Transparent” was also called by many “the most Jewish show on TV.” Its Jewish characters range from mostly secular Los Angelenos to a rabbi to Weimar-era German counterculture pioneers (seen in flashbacks). In the fourth

season, the main characters visit Israel, where they attempt to understand both their faith and the occupation.

They saw the musical medium as a way to freshen up the TV show’s explorations of Jewish and queer history and the ways in which they interact. Their production will include songs like “Jewish and Queer” — a jubilant “Jewish drinking song,” — along with defiant anthems like “Deviant,” which celebrates uniting against hatred. A

Local Offerings

BY EILEEN SONDAK

NORTH COAST REPERTORY THEATRE

northcoastrep.org

JUNE 7-JULY 2: Eleanor

The North Coast Repertory Theater will deliver the West Coast premiere of “Eleanor,” directed by their own David Ellenstein. The show stars the award-winning Kandis Chappell in the role of the witty and feisty Eleanor Roosevelt. This remarkable woman left an indelible mark on history, and the show taps into the strength and vulnerability of the person at the heart of FDR’s presidency.

MAINLY MOZART

mainlymozart.org

Mainly Mozart’s All-Star Festival Orchestra will return for its 35th season June 15-24. They will perform in Del Mar (June 15-8), followed by a stint in La Jolla (June 20-24). Among the soloists coming our way are pianist Anne-Marie McDermott and violinist Martin Chalifour.

THE OLD GLOBE THEATRE

theoldglobe.org

THRU JUNE 25: Destiny of Desire

The Old Globe is calling this show “an unapologetic telenovela in two acts.” The show explores the joys, trials and tribulations, along with the plot twists of love, with humor and wit. The clever work pays homage to the telenovela “Native Gardens,” revealing what happens when two babies are swapped — leaving one in outlandish wealth and the other in poverty. Exciting choreography and live music enhance the production, while the emotional roller coaster speeds to its conclusion.

JUNE 4-JULY 9: Twelfth Night

The Globe’s summer season kicks off with a play that is considered one of the Bard’s most perfect. The mix of romance, music, poetry and comedy focuses on a topsy-turvy love triangle — with laughs and surprises galore.

LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE

lajollaplayhouse.org

JUNE 3-JULY 2: Love All

La Jolla Playhouse is featuring the world premiere of “Love All.” The show tells the story of the rise of sports sensation and social justice icon Billie Jean King. The fascinating new work explores the tennis sensation’s tough competition on the court and the adversity in her life.

Kandis Chappell in “Eleanor.”

PHOTO BY AARON RUMLEY

“Love All” playwright Anna Deavere-Smith.

CYGNET THEATRE

cygnettheatre.com

JUNE 7-JULY 2: Sharon Cygnet Theater is ready to unveil a world premiere at its home in Old Town. Titled “Sharon,” this interesting new comedic thriller is being described as “hilarious and Hitchcockian,” which should make for a fascinating evening of theater. The plot involves a loving mother and son, but as the story unfolds, we realize all is not what they seem.

BROADWAY SAN DIEGO

broadwaysd.com

JUNE 27-JULY 9: Six Broadway-San Diego will light up the Civic Theater with “Six,” a multiaward-winning musical. The title of this highly original musical refers to the six wives of Henry VIII.

SAN DIEGO OPERA

sdopera.org

The San Diego Opera teamed up with Opera4Kids to present a free performance of “Sing Me a Story” at the Chula Vista Library on June 7.

SAN DIEGO MUSEUM OF ART

sdmart.org

THRU AUG. 27: O’Keeffe and Moore This exhibition positions O’Keeffe and Moore together. Enjoy two iconic modernists: American painter Georgia O’Keeffe and British sculptor Henry Moore.

LA JOLLA MUSIC SOCIETY

ljms.org

JUNE 20: Mainly Mozart

The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra which combines some of the best concertmasters and principal players in North Amaerica  (from orchestras including the LA Phil, Cleveland Orchestra, Toronto Symphony) performs Gustav Mahler’s beloved 4th Symphony.

Khaila Wilcoxon as Catherine of Aragon (center) in The North American “Six” Aragon Tour.

PHOTO BY JOAN MARCUS.

Georgia O’Keeffe, “Ram’s Head, Blue Morning Glory,” 1938. Oil on canvas..

Sharon playwright Keiko Green.

San Diego Jewish Academy Eliminates 100% of Their Food Waste

San Diego Jewish Academy has gone above and beyond in an effort to eliminate food waste. California SB 1383 was implemented with the goal of diverting 75% of food waste by 2025 and SDJA is currently diverting 100% of the organic waste from the school’s kitchen. After feeding approximately 750 people every day, SDJA donates all of its edible, unused food to Jewish Family Services and the unsheltered San Diegans living out of their vehicles through JFS’s Safe Parking Program. Kitchen scraps and discards are turned into animal feed by local farmers or fed to the school’s chickens and garden compost bin. Any remaining organic waste is processed into biofuel at a local aerobic digester.

“In collaboration with our dedicated faculty, we’re cultivating educational connections around how to reduce our environmental impact and integrating learning opportunities that create character development parallel to academic excellence and expression of Jewish values for students of all ages as well as the community. Each one of us can create great impact with our simple choices. If our students strive to be change-makers in the world, then we can rest assured that we have a bright future ahead,” said Joanna Dubbeldam, SDJA’s Director of Sustainability.

Newsom Proposes Streamlining Regulations for Clean Energy Builds

Governor Newsom proposed new ambitious permitting and project review reforms to help ensure California’s future of clean energy. California hopes to invest up to $180 billion over the next 10 years in clean infrastructure, creating 400,000 jobs and meeting the state’s climate goals.

“The only way to achieve California’s world-leading climate goals is to build, build, build — faster. This proposal is the most ambitious effort to cut red tape and streamline regulations in half a century. It’s time to make the most out of taxpayer dollars and deliver results while creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs. Not since the Pat Brown era have we had the opportunity to invest in and rebuild this state to create the clean future Californians deserve,” said Governor Newsom

A legislative package and executive order signed by Governor Newsom would streamline permitting and construction, expedite court review and maximize federal dollars.

The San Diego Museum of Art Joins Forces With The Museum of Photographic Arts

On July 1, 2023, SDMA and MOPA will be merged into one organization. Bringing both institutions together will allow for more resources and expertise. SDMA will now house a new department called the Museum of Photographic Arts at the San Diego Museum of Art.

“The merger of these two institutions will enhance the visitor experience by leveraging our mutual cultural resources,” says Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO at The San Diego Museum of Art. “We will be able to share a greater story told together through photography and in dialogue with our overall collection, as both organizations share a commitment to promoting cultural understanding, education and diversity. By joining forces, we can achieve these goals more effectively.”

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Everything Bagel Kugel

Noodle kugel is one of the many comfort dishes in Jewish homes. Tightly packed egg noodles, baked in a creamy, eggy mixture with an addictively crispy top. While a sweet noodle kugel was common at my family table, I’ve always approached noodle kugel as a blank canvas for a one-dish meal that the whole family will love (and that means it has to be raisin-free!). This spin on the classic kugel marries macaroni and cheese with your cornershop bagel, simply spiced with everything bagel spice! Serve this with a summery side salad for a complete meal, or top it with smoked salmon for a baked-inspired bite.

SERVES 8-10

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

• 12 oz wide egg noodles

• 16 oz low fat cottage cheese

• 16 oz low fat sour cream

• 4 oz plain cream cheese

• 5 large eggs

• 5 tbsp. everything bagel spice, divided

PREPARATION:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with the melted butter.

2. Cook the noodles to al dente according to package directions. Drain, and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese and eggs. Stir in 3 tbsp. of bagel spice.

4. Add the cooked noodles to the egg and cheese mixture, mixing to combine. Transfer it to the baking dish and top with the remaining bagel spice.

5. Bake for 30–40 minutes, or until golden and the edges are crispy.

by Marnie Macauley, M.S. | marniemacauley@gmail.com

As We Remember Him: Carl Reiner

My Dear San Diegans:

On June 29, it will be three years since Jews lost a legend we may never quite experience again, given the so-called advanced technology which while opening new vistas, loses the raw material of those comics who defined a genre, created new mediums, formats, characters and content.

Carl Reiner, actor, writer, producer, director, author and pioneer died on June 29, 2020 at 98, leaving his best friend, Mel Brooks, to watch TV alone (which the two did every night) and leaving the world without one of the greatest comic geniuses in history. In our Arts Issue, let us celebrate and remember his indelible fingerprints on all facets of comedy.

We’ve all heard the cliché “The death of one man diminishes us all.” As a Jew, at these times, I prefer to believe “The life of one man can enrich us all.”

In Reiner’s case, the riches extend wide and his legacy is indelible.

He was an original. Whether you’re a comic, a comedy writer, director or actor, you wouldn’t have quite the gift of laughter if there hadn’t been a Carl, along with his band of merry men and women cohorts who not only created a new kind of comedy that tested boundaries but also broke some of the boundaries they created.

A father of the sketch comedy for Sid Caesar from 1950 through the 1960s, along with a dream team of writers and

performers that included Mel Brooks, Mel Tolkin, Lucille Kallen, Neil Simon, Howard Morris, and Selma Diamond among other later luminaries, Reiner’s massive career had a bit of everything funny. He acted in films such as “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” (1963), “The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming” (1966), and the Ocean’s film series (2001–2007). He co-wrote and directed some of Steve Martin’s early hits such as “The Jerk” (1979), and directed notable comedies including “Where’s Poppa?” (1970), “Oh, God!” (1977), and “All of Me” (1984).

During television’s formative years, It was Reiner who created (and sometimes acted in) “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961), loosely based on Caesar’s meshugge Writing Room, where he met lifelong best friend Mel Brooks.

Stoked with a little Manischewitz at parties, Reiner would throw Brooks

a character — from a Tibetan Monk to an astronaut. As the story goes, one night at Mel Brooks’ Fire Island house, Reiner threw him a 2000-year-old man who had seen it all. Among hundreds of encounters with the famous and not-sofamous, he mistook Paul Revere for an anti-Semite (“The Yiddish are coming! The Yiddish are coming!”)

In 1961 “The 2000 Year Old Man” went public on television with Brooks as the world’s oldest man, interviewed by Reiner. A collection of five albums followed, along with books and animation. They not only got awards; they were a mega hit with audiences of all stripes. According to my extensive research, the last we heard from the 2000 Year Old Man was in the year 2000 in a book titled “The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000.”

Carl Reiner, the son of Jewish immigrants, was born in the Bronx, New York City, on Mar. 20, 1922 to Irving Reiner, a watchmaker from Austria and Bessie (née Mathias) from Romania. His older brother Charlie served in the 9th Division in World War II.

It was his brother Charlie who spirited 16-year-old Carl out of a machine shop by telling him about a free drama workshop sponsored by the Works Progress Administration. This was his first venture into the world of show biz.

During World War ll, he served with the United States Army Air Force. Initially trained to be a radio operator,

Whether you’re a comic, a comedy writer, director or actor, you wouldn’t have quite the gift of laughter if there hadn’t been a Carl Reiner.

after a bout of pneumonia, he spent almost a year at Georgetown University training as a French interpreter. This led to his directing a Molière play in French, his first directing gig. Next stop: Hawaii as a teleprinter operator. And then, bashert! The night before he was scheduled to ship out, he attended a Special Services production of Hamlet. After an audition before actor Maurice Evans, an officer with the unit, he was transferred to Special Services. Reiner entertained around the Pacific theater until he was honorably discharged in 1946.

In an interview I caught with Rob Reiner, and I’m paraphrasing, he commented that “...there is no better comedy or acting school in the world than the home he was raised in, with dad and pals such as Mel Brooks and Norman Lear.”

His autobiography: “Too Busy to Die” (2017) was both a title and his philosophy.

Those of us in my generation cannot imagine a world without our Carl Reiner. And thanks to him, his genius, his body of work, remains and inspires the very best. A

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Streeter Printing, one of San Diego’s highest quality and most competitively priced printers, is committed to providing customers with premium collateral at non-premium prices.

Marilyn Baum passed away on May 29, 2023, just four days shy of her 84th birthday. She had 83+ wonderful years and was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Marilyn was a devoted wife and partner, consistently at the center of her core group of friends. Her smile, wit, and grace will be missed every day.

May her name be for a blessing.

Marilyn Baum