Manischewitz, a leading kosher brand in the United States for more than 130 years, announces a major rebranding with a bold fresh look and feel across the product line and new products in time for the 2024 Passover season, which begins at sundown on April 22 and culminates after nightfall on April 30. The updated look was initiated with the continued goal of bringing family and friends together while reaching a broader demographic, including younger and growing families. Manischewitz will display the rebranded graphics and colors across all products, and it will be promoted heavily o ..read more

By Bill Motchan, via JNS.org Years ago, early in his career, Rabbi James Bennett was officiating a graveside funeral on a cold, winter day. The senior rabbi at Congregation Shaare Emeth in St. Louis wore a small kippah on his head, but he was shivering. Following the service, the late Ed Levine walked over to Bennett, handed him a business card and said, “Rabbi, come see me.” Levine was the longtime owner of Levine Hat Company, which celebrates its 120th year in business in 2023. Following Levine’s request, Bennett visited the Levine showroom in downtown St. Louis and was fitted ..read more

By Tamar Rothenberg, MS, RDN Want to eat healthier this Passover? Embrace the culinary traditions of Passover with a modern spin using versatile and flavorful almond flour. Almond flour is a nutty and tasty substitution for wheat flour. Its slightly sweet flavor makes it ideal for both desserts and savory dishes. Aside from being gluten-free, almond flour has nutritional benefits not found in other flours, among them: A protein boost. Almonds are a good source of protein, with 6 grams per serving. Low in carbohydrates and higher in fiber than even whole wheat flour. Almonds naturally contain ..read more

Patinkin Will Headline the 31st Annual JFest With an Evening of Song at Balboa Theatre Broadway’s master songman, Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, will bring his newest theatre concert “Mandy Patinkin in Concert: BEING ALIVE,” to Balboa Theatre on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. This powerful and passionate evening of song is part of the 31st Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, better known as JFest, and co-produced by San Diego Theatres, the nonprofit organization that operates both Balboa Theatre and San Diego Civic Theatre. The show presents the acclai ..read more

By Deborah Vietor Brilliantly crafted by Playwright Jake Broder in collaboration with David Ellenstein, Creative Director of North Coast Repertory Theater, “Sense of Decency” creates a magic carpet ride the audience is sure to remember. Running April 17 through May 12, making a world-premiere debut, the play is based on the book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai. Featuring Frank Corrado as Hermann Goering, Brendan Ford as Dr. Douglas Kelley and Lucy Davenport as the wife of both men, these stunning actors present an exquisite performance within this psychological drama. Experience ..read more

Scripps Ranch Theatre is excited to share STEW by Zora Howard, a co-production with Common Ground Theatre and directed by Yolanda Franklin. The production runs April 5-21, on the campus of Alliant International University. Mama is up early to prepare an important meal and, even with her family on hand to help, time is running short. Tensions simmer with three generations of Tucker women under one roof, but things come to a boil as the violence hovering around the periphery of their lives begins to intrude. The kitchen becomes a microcosm of the family, a protection from outside traumas with th ..read more

By Francisco Gil-White Editor’s Note: Francisco Gil-White is an historian, political anthropologist and academic expert on the Middle East. A political anthropologist and ethnographer with training in evolutionary and sociocultural theory, for 20 years he has studied the impact of the Jewish people on the political evolution of the West. In March, Gil-White was hosted by the San Diego Jewish Academy, the Ken Jewish Community, Beth Eliyahu and Aish. He spoke about the impact of the Jewish people on the Western world to these audiences, and his lecture and subsequent zoom meetings were so t ..read more

Somehow my husband’s cellphone manages to receive all text messages except the ones asking for favors like stopping at the store for milk OR my requests to wash our car. In other words, if I need something, the technology is suddenly glitchy. It got me thinking what would’ve happened if other important messages had gone awry? Consider that perhaps the following had been sent but never received… Dear Moses, regarding the 10 commandments, I’ve chosen a different material for the tablets to be crafted from. It’s some newfangled patented plastic that will bend and stretch but can’t be smashed or b ..read more

By Deborah Vietor From the age of nine, Shaun Tomson has matriculated in the school of surfing and never looked back. A former World Surfing Champion, he has achieved the distinction as one of the 16 greatest surfers of all time, (Surfing 2004.) As one of the 25 most influential surfers of the century, (Surfer, 1999) and winning 19 major pro events, Shaun created a unique technique for riding in the tube adopted by surfers everywhere. Utilizing surfing as a metaphor for riding the waves in life, Shaun held a tremendous impact for those globally. Shaun has been inducted into the Huntington Beac ..read more

By Dave Gordon, JNS.org About 250,000 accounts follow Hillel Fuld across his social media, making him quite a sought-after figure. Nonetheless, the vocal Zionist and evangelist for the Israeli technology sector appears to have found a way to remain grounded. He often posts photos of himself—his tefillin peeking out from under the maroon atarah, or collar, of his tallis—noting that his first meeting of the day is with “the CEO.” Since Oct. 7, Fuld has shifted gears dramatically. He previously consulted with major technology companies, including Google and Oracle. In 201 ..read more