Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune
On July 20, 2003 The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that "so how did a nice, Jewish boy become a Buddhist priest?... After a series of life-altering events and losses, Rosenthal became interested in Buddhism. The Vietnam veteran went on to earn a master's degree in Buddhist studies, then trained in Kyoto to become a priest... Rosenthal... is inviting the public to participate in the [Vista Buddhist] temple's Obon Festival this weekend. The annual event stems from the custom of ancestor worship in Japan, similar to All Souls Day in Christianity... Rather than attend as observers, temple members and the community are invited to participate. A taiko (Japanese for "fat drum") presentation will occur at 5 p.m. on the temple grounds, and a silent auction and craft boutique will be featured. Japanese food, flowers and plants will be sold, and Bon Odori, Japanese folk dancing, begins at 6:30 p.m."