Author: David Rutman

“Go Play!” a comedic new play about human-to-human and human-to-canine relationships, is wrapping its limited run at the Odessey Theatre in West L.A. on Nov. 2—meaning this is the final weekend to see a show that appeals to any dog-owner as well those looking to spend 90 minutes enjoying a clever, relatable and lighthearted production. […]

On October 19, Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) hosted its seventh annual “Ambassadors of Peace” (AOP) event, honoring individuals in the entertainment industry who speak out against hate and bring about positive change not only in the industry, but the world. Honorees included actor Jerry O’Connell, Bruce Resnikoff, president/CEO, Universal Music Enterprises, who worked with […]

Not all gratitude is created equal. I can say thank you to a Lyft driver or a cashier at Trader Joe’s, but what do I say when my mother gives me valuable advice? Or when a friend saves me from making a blunder? Or sends me a compliment for something I wrote? Or when I’m […]

The Jewish new year is the ideal time for reflection and making changes in our lives that can positively impact not only ourselves and our families, but also our Jewish community, and beyond.  Today, lots of people are asking today, “What will Jewish America look like in the coming decades?” Although we cannot say for […]

“I am very much a fan of free speech,” Rabbi Daniel Levine said. And on his YouTube show, the 32-year-old San Diego native and professor at UC Irvine practices what he preaches. He interviews people from both the right and left; .his goal each time is to spread light on their views, whether you agree […]

This week, the world watched as Einav Zangauker cradled her son, Matan, returning from captivity in Gaza, her arms locked around his neck. His face sank into her shoulder. In the seconds before their embrace, Einav could be seen stomping her feet as she ran toward her son, a movement like the jumping we’ve seen […]

I am known to have unrealistic expectations. For instance, once the Gaza 20-Point Peace Plan was signed, I naïvely, facetiously, imagined that Mark Ruffalo, Dua Lipa, Emma Stone, the Hadid sisters, Javier Bardem, New York City’s mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, and legions of pink-and purple-haired antisemites would all ecstatically dance the hora in celebration. After […]

I lie awake thinking of Italy, love and broken illusions. And even the news of the return of the Hamas-held hostages to Israel does not dispel all my sadness. I visualize some of the happiest times in my life. My parents and I, former refuseniks, coming to Rome in the summer of 1987 and tasting […]