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San
Diego Jewish World
Sunday,
May 6, 2007
Vol. 1, Number 6
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San
Diego Jewish World |
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San Diego celebrates Lag B'Omer   Lag B'Omer—Members of the San Diego Israeli community gathered at Fiesta Island Saturday evening, May 5, for a traditional Lag B'Omer bonfire, whereas Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz of Temple Beth Sholom of Chula Vista settled for a much smaller fire this afternoon after the students at his congregation's Hebrew school let out. He took his turn tending a fire on a kosher barbecue. For an explanation of the holiday see column by Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal in Friday's edition. —SDJW photos by Sandi Masori an Donald H. Harrison |
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5/6/07
SDJW
Report International and National Regional and Local *San Diego Jewish World seeks volunteers Daily Features Jews in the News Jewish Grapevine Arts, Entertainment & Dining *Restaurant Review: Royal India making a royal difference *Music of Handel, Mahler, Copland and Enesco programmed at next TICO concert *Blinded by the lights again at Full Monty *Chovick shines in Cygnet's Desire Under the Elms For Your Reference San Diego Jewish Community Calendar San Diego Jewish Community Directory |
S.D. Jewish World seeks volunteers for exciting positions By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The daily online newspaper that you are reading is mainly a volunteer effort bringing together writers, editors, commentators, photographers and others with a passion for the Jewish community and a talent for communicating. We are hoping to attract volunteers in a variety of areas, including columnists on various subjects of Jewish interest, arts reviewers, reporters who would like to attend and report upon Jewish community events, correspondents who will send us the "Jewish stories" from their travels or from their homes outside of San Diego, photographers, editors, typists, data entry personnel, advertising sales people, archivists—think of the job description and we would very much appreciate your help. |
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Many years ago, when our
predecessor site, jewishsightseeing.com, was designed, it was intended to be
a funky looking, light-hearted site to store stories about interesting
Jewish places to see all over the world. While we will continue to run and
archive such travel stories, we have a different mission today—that of a
comprehensive daily online Jewish newspaper—and we need a website design
that reflects and enhances that purpose. That is why one of our top
priorities is to attract a volunteer web designer who would be willing to
contribute his or her talents to such a special service for the San Diego
Jewish community.
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*U.S. Sen.
Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) delivering the weekly radio address for Democrats,
called on President George W. Bush to work with the Congress to find a way to
"fund the troops and change the mission" in Iraq. The Associated Press
story is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune.
Do you have a simcha that you would like to share with the
Jewish community? Send in notices of birth, bar/bat mitzvah, wedding,
special anniversary, or other special events, honors or celebrations (with
photos if you have them) to the San Diego Jewish World. There is no
charge for items used in our Jewish Grapevine section. Our email
address is sdheritage@cox.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Royal India making a royal difference "This curry was like a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony that I'd once heard.....especially the last movement, with everything screaming and banging 'Joy.'”-Anthony Burgess SAN DIEGO—Last year I read The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri and was deeply moved by this stirring intergenerational tale of a family of voluntary Bengali exiles who emigrate to New York City and subsequently traverse during the next few decades the two dissimilar worlds of Calcutta and New York City. The movie was no less mesmerizing in its depiction of the contrasting cultures. Naturally, I was particularly fascinated by the scenes where food was used as a metaphor, a glue, a prop that played as character where the eyes conjured a smell, a taste. Yearning for the real thing, I found it at Royal India, San Diego’s newest urban exceptional Northern Indian restaurant. The Place – Located at 4th and Market Streets in what was once home to the Bayou Bar and Grill, Royal India opened its doors in February 2007 to a much awaited crowd of traditional Indian cuisine devotees. “In looking for a location to open our first fine dining restaurant, we couldn’t escape the vibrancy that downtown has to offer,” said Sam Kambo, proprietor and executive chef. As it should because this charming jewel demands attention; there’s nothing quite like its gentle elegance in San Diego. Attention to detail is met with every glance around the spacious restaurant bedecked with a ten foot waterfall situated in front of stacked stone walls and niches that showcase original Indian artifacts. Between the two dining areas reminiscent of the exotic palaces of Old World India is the Royal Lounge which promises to be different and discerning. Open until midnight the lounge will offer an exclusive menu of specialty items, including appetizers, plates to share, and an assortment of freshly-made kababs on sizzling plates. Perfect for after theatre or late night libations the full bar is stocked with over 20 domestic and imported beers, 50 brands of spirits and liqueurs and over 40 different wines.
The Prices – Monday Night Buffet: $20. Lunch Buffet: $11.Dinner appetizers: $3—$12. Entrées: $11--$25 Royal India 329 Market Street @4th Ave.,The Gaslamp Quarter www.royalindia.com (619) 269-9999. Buffet served daily 11:00am-2:30pm. Lunch and dinner everyday 11:00-12:00am. Monday night buffet 5:30-9:00pm Catering available for any sized party Lynne Thrope can be contacted at www.TheReadingRoom.net
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SAN DIEGO—On June 5 and 10, Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO) will present concerts featuring beloved orchestral masterpieces, and a world premiere. Curiously, the world premiere is not new music, but a Concerto For Orchestra by George Frederick Handel, who lived in the first half of the 18th Century. This work is the result of an idea, where composer-arranger Abelardo Flores was commissioned to compile a few selected movements from Handel’s concertos for organ, which were originally written for organ and strings, and re-arrange them into an orchestral suite for large symphony orchestra. The final result will be an old wine presented in a modern vessel.
Aaron Copland wrote three very popular
ballet scores in the 1930’s and 40’s. TICO has already presented two of the
three to To conclude, the rhythmic and energetic Roumanian Rhapsody No. 1 by Georges Enesco will bring to mind the tunes and dances of the Gypsies and of Central and Eastern Europe. Enesco’s two rhapsodies are among his most popular works, and have been audience favorites for many decades. The June 5 concert will take place at the Cohen Social Hall of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 6660 Cowles Mountain Blvd. at 7:30 pm and the second presentation, of Sunday, June 10, will be at 7:00 pm at Congregation Ohr Shalom, at Third and Laurel, downtown San Diego. For ticket information, directions, or any other questions, please call the two synagogues. Tifereth Israel may be reached at (619) 697-6001, and Ohr Shalom at (619) 231-1456. SHORT PHRASES: A very fine piano recital was presented on May 4 by the young piano prodigy Rossina Grieco. Played to a full house at La Jolla’s Athenaeum Library, we were delighted to hear music by Scarlatti, Mozart, Chopin, Schumann, Beethoven, Liszt, and Rachmaninoff. Miss Grieco displayed technique and temperament far beyond her 13 years of age. But what was even more impressive to all of us present, was her artistic understanding of the intentions of the composers. This is something that challenges many a mature artist. Her sense of timing and drama were truly remarkable, as was her non-verbal communication with the audience. We all look forward to her continuing
development.
 Arts in Review by Carol Davis ___________________ Blinded by the lights again at Full Monty SAN DIEGO—When the Full Monty first opened at The Old Globe Theatre, directed by Jack O’ Brien in 2000, (it was premiered here before it went on to take the high ground on Broadway but lost out to The Producers that year) everyone was concerned about well…the Full Monty! If you are wondering what I mean, I get it, because I was in the dark about it myself. But 2000 was the year of enlightenment for me. I learned that Full Monty meant in the absolute, totally nude, in the raw, stark naked. It’s not a new concept in theatre, but when we’re talking about six regular guys dancing, and not your typical Chippendale types, one might want to think through a trip to the theatre just to see that. Think no more. It was a successful hit then, and now, back in San Diego by way of a new musical theatre group, San Diego Musical Theatre, you have a chance to see it (we are not defining it) again. With David Yazbeck (music and lyrics) and Terrance McNally (book) collaborating on this one, the story (originally a movie, it took place in the mining town of Sheffield, England) takes place in Buffalo. The factory that supports the town has closed and the six men in question have been laid off. Since their wives are still working at local restaurants, some office types and some stay at home, the guys, being macho guys, can’t seem to get their acts together to find what little employment there is out there that is suitable for them. Rule out security guards at the Mall in the neighboring town. That’s wimpy! and restaurant work is for the ‘girls. They grumble, they argue, they bond, they meet at their union hall and have bitching sessions. It all adds up to naught, especially since money is becoming a scarce commodity for most of them. When a Chippendale dancer, Buddy “Keno” Walsh, (Craig Cady has some set of buns) comes to town for a one night stand the gals go gaga. They’re in a flutter. This is how they plan to spend their ‘girls night out’ money and time. When he notices that cash for the tickets doesn’t seem to be an obstacle for their wives, since he sees how fast they are dishing it out, one of the husbands (Jerry) gets an idea to put on a strip ‘n show, show of their own with his friends in mind. Pay attention, these are overweight, underweight, uncoordinated, black, white, gay, self conscious, past prime time guys who need to raise enough money to help themselves out of debt in general, and in particular, for their friend Jerry (Allan Snyder) who will lose custody of his son Nathan (Ari Lerner) because of back child support. And so the saga goes with a little character building and background information on each of the key characters. The dancing lessons, rehearsals, and just plain struggle of getting everyone on board to mount this amateur show, begins. It’s fun, and after the second time around, the lyrics seem catchier, funnier and more significant (but don’t read too much into this) than the first time go. For some reason, and it could be the smaller size of the theatre, it’s in the Mary Birch North Park Theatre, it seemed more intimate and less formal. The cast formed cheering sections coming out from the audience (don’t remember that) and mingling with us during some of the musical numbers and the audience seemed more enthusiastic. Sometimes regional theatre will do that and this is the Regional Premiere, so tout the founders of this young and new enterprise. Again, the male cast, overall, is very well suited and come across as just your average guys. Allan Snyder’s Jerry Lukowski, the main driver for getting this strip act into the local club, is not as convincing as I would like to have seen him on opening night but it’s the rest of the cast by and large who push the production along at a pretty high speed. Outstanding is John Massey, Jr. as Dave Bukatinski the ‘big guy with the weight problem’ to overcome, or not. He is so natural with perfect timing and about as believable as you could want. His character is one of the most interesting. Reggie Burrell is an African-American member of the ensemble (Noah “Horse” T. Simmons) and what a performance he gives. His Big Black Man number just about brought the house down as did Michael Jordan’s Ball by the male ensemble. Young Ari Lerner, who is in the process of studying for his Bar Mitzvah which is scheduled for 2008, plays Nathan. Lerner’s family encourages acting and theatre. His mother was a professional dancer, his sister just graduated from the Arts program at Coronado High where Ari and brother Zev are students. Zev is in the high school Creative Arts Program, Ari is still in Jr. High. All three have acting credits, and have been seen on many local stages at various times in their young acting lives. Not to be outdone by any of the adults in the company, Lerner is perfectly comfortable on stage and has as much poise as any of the seasoned veterans. As the only child in a field of adults, Lerner’s Nathan is one of turnabout is fair play as he guides his father, Jerry, to start acting like an adult and get on with the business of being a parent. In a phone conversation with Ari’s mom, she too noted how grown-up her young son is in this role where he seems to be more mature than the father. He is convincing and a pleasure to watch. Keep your eye on this guy! The women’s ensemble is just as strong if not stronger with some great singing voices in Amy Biedel as Dave’s faithful and patient wife, Georgie. Dana Shaw is Jerry’s wife and was a little shrill. Marci Anne Wubben is perfect as Vicki Nichols, to Andy Collins’ Harold Nichols, the boss. Both were convincing and in great dance and voice mode. Veteran actress, our own Priscilla Allen is, once again, in rare form as Jeanette Brumeister, the piano playing, tough talking, old hand who doesn’t mind sharing a swig or two from her little er, pocket flask. She’s another reason for a trip to North Park to see the show. Nick De Gruccio’s direction was smooth sailing and under the expert baton of musical director/conductor Don LeMAster, the music roared out of the side speakers making the overall production sound like a big show. Unfortunately, the individual mikes weren’t as effective (Steve Stopper) and some of the sound was muffled or couldn’t be heard. Jeanne Reith’s costumes, John Todd’s lighting design (it’s a biggie) and Lee Martino’s choreography puts this production in the plus column. If you have never been to the newly refurbished North Park Theatre you will be in for a treat. One of the best incentives is the $5.00 parking garage across from the theatre.
It plays through the 13th of May. To reach the theatre, call (858) 560-5740 or
SDMT.org. And oh, by the way, we never do get to see who was circumcised.
See you at the theatre. If ever there was a time to sing praises for the acting prowess of Jim Chovick, now is the time to do it. While some might describe him as robust in stature, as opposed to tall and overpowering, he managed to cast a giant shadow over the evening on opening night at the Cygnet’s showing of Eugene O’Neill’s Desire Under The Elms as Ephraim Cabot, patriarch of the Cabot family and farm, and an ever present presence whether on stage or off. No stranger to San Diego stages, Chovick also played the strong and all knowing Big Daddy in Cygnet’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof a few seasons back. Like Big Daddy, Ephraim Cabot is one source to be reckoned with as his three sons and new wife soon realized.
O’Neill’s story begins on the
Connecticut Cabot farm that seems to have more rocks, stones and boulders than
cows and corn but over the years Ephraim has managed to grow, feed and nurture
his land. The time is 1850 and Ephraim has left the farm to his three sons to
run while he (we later learn) is out seeking a new wife and mother to his three
grown offspring. Two of the boys, Peter and Simeon (John Garcia and Craig
Huisenga) are the product of his first marriage and Eban (Francis Gercke) is the
result of the last. It’s evident from the outset that the three are no buds, no
pals, not even close. The one thing all three lust after is the farm, the land which each feels should be his when the ‘old man’ dies.’ They all have their reasons for thinking that, but Eban seems to have a plan for making sure he is the one who actually does anything about it. Finding some coins buried in a pile of rocks, (unfortunately, Ephraim hid them there), Eben bribes his brothers, who have dreams of going West and farming for gold, to sell him their parcels so he can have it all to himself when the old man kicks the bucket. There’s one BIG obstacle that none of them considered. Ephraim, at 79 is as healthy as an ox and is not going to die off so fast. When he comes home with a new, young, (25) sexy and ambitious wife, there is no sense of him slowing down. But above all, the senior Cabot has no use for any of his offspring and would rather see the farm go to seed than to them. He thinks they are all wastrels, soft and undeserving. The struggle for the land, the struggle to fit in, to be accepted, to end years of loneliness and subjugation, suppression and hate by all the characters drive this play as much as the passions of love, lust, sensuality and greed do. By the time Ephraim comes back from his trip, the two older sons are gone and just Eben is waiting for him. When he sees the young, soft and sexy Abby (Jessica John) he is more convinced than ever that he must have the farm. In his heart, he believes the farm belonged to his beloved mother, who he now sees Abby replacing. Now the possibility of another person in line for the land is real and Abby makes no bones about it. It doesn’t take long for Eben and Abby to feel the pull of sex, lust and betrayal. Eben is young, hot and his only experience with women have been the local prostitutes which all the men on the farm had used. Now he heeds the passion of Abby and for reasons, at first of pure hatred he allows her to lure him to her. When lust turns to love and they cannot hide their feelings, things get sticky with Ephraim. She promises him a baby, to show him how much she loves him, and a baby she delivers. Neither men get it at first that the baby is Eben’s, but Ephraim struts around like a young bull who just killed the toreador. No matter, now the land belongs to the child. Eben has a fit when he first realizes it and in a rage wishes the baby dead even though he knows it’s his. Abby, afraid of losing him and to show him she really loves him more than she wants the land, smothers the baby. With passions overflowing like these its hard to ignore the heat of the moment of the two lovers. Both Gercke and John played the hot and neglected lovers in Cat On a Hot Tin Roof, the same production Chovick played Big Daddy and the air could be cut with a knife in that production. With all the players in their places in Desire Huisenga and Garcia managed to get the two bumbling brothers right. They came back later for smaller, other people parts. Unfortunately, I never felt the deep connection, the true lust, the deep passion or the coldness in John’s Abby. Gercke’s Eben showed the passion for the land but his passion for Abby felt lacking. It’s not that their love scenes weren't laced with emotional heat, it just didn't feel convincing. While both actors have what it takes to put that out, their opening night performance was a let down. Hats off to Chovick who hit the mark every time. Sean Murray’s direction, as usual, is smart and detailed including his set design with a miniature house with an elm tree off to the side in the back of the stage while wooden planks spread across the length separating the bedrooms of Abby and Ephraim from Eben’s. In the middle of the planks stood a sole rocking chair symbolic of Eben’s mother’s always present shadow in the show. Against the back wall he created a dark backwash serving as a premonition of what was to come. Eric Lotze’s lighting is brilliant, creating all the eerie atmosphere needed while Jeanne Reith’s costumes make the period convincing. Original music by The Cowles Mountain Boys lent some scene changing diversions to the production. O’Neill’s play, written in 1924, has been compared with Greek Tragedy, (Oedipus, Jason, Media) and Old Testament teaching’s, (Thou shalt not covet” Thou shalt not Kill”, “Honor thy Father and Mother”). A tragedy it is, and of a 10 magnitude on the Richter scale. It was also a movie with Burl Ives, Sophia Loren and Anthony Perkins. But I wouldn’t run out to rent it, rather go to Cygnet. Desire Under the Elms continues through June 3. Cygnet Theatre is located at 6663 El Cajon Blvd. in East San Diego. It can be reached at: 619-337-1525 or www.cygnettheatre.com See you at the theatre.
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*He has officiated at hundreds, if not
thousands of bar/bat
mitzvah ceremonies over his long career, but now Cantor Sheldon Merel,
emeritus chazan of Congregation Beth Israel, is planning to have the second one
of his own. The first bar mitzvah comes at age 13, the second at 83, coinciding
with the 13th birthday after a full life of 70 years. Merel will celebrate
this simcha at 7:30 pm., Friday, May 18 at Congregation Beth Israel in La
Jolla. At left is his original bar mitzvah photo. He really doesn't look
much different today, does he?
What's
Good to Eat in
The
People – Brothers Jag (Jagdeep Singh) and Sam (Sandeep
Singh) Kambo have brought from their native Punjab the exquisite foods, flavors,
and spices including an authentic Tandoori clay oven used for baking their own
garlic naan which tastes beyond scrumptious! These culinary experts are not only
suave and debonair, they have made their mother very proud having learned from
her kitchen everything they needed to know to make their kitchen a royal
success! “We want to make Royal India the favored dining destination, not just
for Indian food but for downtown in general,” offered Sam. Brother Jag
continued, “Our staff will be trained extensively on the menu in order to ensure
our guests get the finest quality of service…the Royal Treatment!” And they are.
My server was impressively knowledgeable explaining in detail the difference
between “papadum,” “pakoras,” and palak paneer.” No wonder Royal India was
awarded the #1 restaurant in Indian cuisine in the Gaslamp by San Diego’s Asian
Journal, a popular publication specializing in international cuisine..jpg)
The Provisions
– Deciphering Royal India’s menu is like taking a crash course in Punjabi;
practicing it will prepare me well for my someday trip to that province. I must
say, it’s really fun pronouncing words that are written in a grapho-phonic
system that, to English, is recognizable only in its syllables, consonants, and
vowels. As for comprehension of this venerable vocabulary, we are given
descriptions of each exotic dish (thank goodness). Aided by these linguistic
explanations, I was ready to embark on the genuine Indian buffet experience
which began with a couple of appetizers, BHAJI (mildly spiced onion and cabbage
slices dipped in chickpea beer batter and fried) and SAMOSA (crisy stuffed
pastry seasoned with mild spices). As sides, I opted for the mango chutney and
mixed pickle which aptly accented the appetizers. Next, I tried the TANDOORI
CHICKEN (chicken marinated in yogurt, garlic, ginger, spices, fresh herbs and
lemon juice), the CHICKEN TIKKA MARSALA (roasted in a clay oven and cooked with
a delicious blend of creamed tomato curry and spices), KARACHI CHICKEN (prepared
with fresh peppers, onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and curry), and LAMB ROGAN
JOSH (cooked with a curry sauce of onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and
almonds). To accompany these imaginative and colorful dishes, I requested a
variety of breads baked in Royal India’s authentic clay oven – NAN, PANEER, and
KABULI (my favorite) stuffed with raisins and sweetened coconut. I especially
enjoyed the Chef’s Vegetarian Curry Specialties: KORMA (a vegetable cooked with
coconut-creamed cashew paste, nuts, raisins, and spices), PALAK PANEER (a blend
of spinach, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spices and farmers cheese), and DAL MAKHNI
(mixture of lentils cooked with butter, onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and
spices). If all that wasn’t enough, I somehow managed to find space for two
delicious desserts, SHAHI MANGO (fresh pulp blended with cream, almonds,
raisons, and pistachios) and KHEER (saffron flavored rice pudding with nuts and
raisins). Although you won’t go wrong with the unique and very affordable
buffet, I recommend trying a few of the menu items not included in the buffet.
The presentations are camera worthy…B’Tayavon
Musical
Notes 
The
eminent San Diego baritone Joe Pechota will be the guest soloist. He will sing
the lyrical and beautiful Songs of a Wayfarer by Gustav Mahler. This work
contains melodies which the composer also used in his
Symphony No. 1.
