Jewish Religion

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ Works to be Digitized, Disseminated for Free

Sefaria will add more than three dozen volumes by Rabbi Sacks to the library, released in stages over several years. The April 2024 release is the first batch of these works. The entire collection of Rabbi Sack’s writing that will be accessible on Sefaria is made possible through the support of the William Davidson Foundation. [Press Release]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Religion, USA

Artists’ and Artisans’ Show Lures Her to a Synagogue

This past Sunday, Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosted its First Annual Artists’ Showcase. Many talented artists came out to proudly display their creations which ranged from art, books, music, photography, woodworking, other crafts and Israeli stamp collecting. The event was jointly sponsored by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club and Sisterhood. [Mimi Pollack]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Israel, Jewish Religion, Mimi Pollack, Music and Visual Arts, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

A Very instructive Haggadah

Thirty-five Jewish men and women contributed short essays to stimulate participation. One points out that Moses tried to persuade God not to send him to Egypt by saying, “I am not a man of many words.” However, tonight, we read how he led the Israelites from slavery. Doesn’t this show that limited words can achieve great things? Can you think of examples? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A New Superb Haggada in Time for Passover

It includes 15 scholarly, easy-to-read essays, such as “Israel’s Enemies,” “Lincoln Dying on Passover,” “An American Moses,” “An American Joshua,” “The Power of Imagination,” and “America’s Favorite Prophet.” Virtually every page has paintings or drawings, and many famous Jewish and American leaders are mentioned and their teachings narrated. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

His teachings included the idea that every Hasid must search for a saintly exemplar, or tzaddik, for himself. He rejected the idea that such saintliness can be inherited. A tzaddik must elevate the community through his observance of the commandments and performance of good deeds. People might confide in a tzaddik as part of a process of unburdening their souls, but they should pray only to God. [SDJW staff]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday

Parsha Shemini: The Value of Silence

God was teaching Moshe that there are things that one can understand only if one sees the entire picture. This can only be done when one is silent because when one speaks, one concentrates only on what he’s saying, ignoring the surroundings. Shtikah allows one to evaluate his surroundings and to see the entire picture. [Rabbi Daniel Reich]

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Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Deconstructing the Myths of King Solomon

Solomon is credited for discovering the true mother of a baby simply because one of the two disputing prostitutes agreed to give up the child when Solomon foolishly said he would slice the child in two and give each a half. Rational thinkers and legal experts recognize this was Solomon’s unintelligent decision. Her act proves nothing. She may not have been the mother,
but she agreed to give up the child to the true mother simply because she did not want to carry her farce to the end, where the child was murdered. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Parsha Shemini–Hachodesh: The Silence of Aaron

We read, “And Aaron was silent.” SILENT? Aaron, the boys’ father was SILENT? How could a parent be silent upon losing two sons? How can we be silent in the face of the frightening eruption of antisemitism in our lives? This narrative has troubled many erudite scholars, thinkers, and elders over centuries. We are currently ensnared in a time that has killed many, upended lives, and endangered our daily paths. Are we to be silent? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Isaac Mayer Wise

In 1875, his dream of opening Hebrew Union College to train rabbis was realized, with Wise serving as its president. In 1883, non-kosher food was served at what became known derisively as the “Trefa Banquet” for the first graduating class, which Wise declined to condemn. This incident led to the formation of the Conservative movement, which positioned itself as more liberal than Orthodox Judaism, but conserving some traditions. [SDJW staff]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA

Trans Jew for Trans Day of Visibility Relates His Research

As a trans Jew, myself, I have experienced some of the difficulties as well as moments of joy that come with existing in the intersection of transness and Jewishness. Yet, despite the growing breadth of literature on gay, lesbian, and other queer-identifying Jews, there’s still a gap in materials about trans Jews. [Matt Lacoff]

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California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA