Judaism

‘Pillars of Power’ draws heavily on Jewish teachings

For thousands of years, Jewish teachings have emphasized that true abundance is measured not only by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute. The concept of tikkun olam—repairing the world—calls upon each generation to use its gifts, resources, wisdom, and compassion to elevate the lives of others. (Jennie Edwards Stock and Michael Adam Cohen)

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Trump may imagine himself as Monty Hall of ‘Let’s Make a Deal’

Trump behaves as though decades of deep-seated theological fervor, regional subversion, and nuclear ambition can be resolved simply by finding a transactional middle ground. It treats a fanatical, apocalyptic regime not as an existential threat to be decisively dismantled, but as a difficult business partner holding out for a better contract. (Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel)

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Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Support for Israel dangerously low among college students

Few periods of life are as formative as young adulthood. My undergraduate years profoundly shaped the interests, communities, and convictions that continue to guide me today. Much of that trajectory can be traced back to my involvement in pro-Israel student life on campus. [Karen Klein]

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Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, News Media, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Jewish biography: Iosif Rapoport, soldier and geneticist

By a decree of the President of the USSR dated October 16, 1990, Iosif  Rapoport was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labor with the wording “for his special contribution to the preservation and development of genetics and breeding, and the training of highly qualified scientific personnel.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Shabbat, music, death are subjects for season finale of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices

Chait’s poem, Without You, was inspired by the terrible events of October 7, 2023. Lynch’s poem, To My Shabbat Soul, is full of original imagery, dealing with her relationship to Shabbat, and Rolfe’s poem, MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC describes how that element influences our lives… I am also including a poem written by Janice Alper about the traumatic event the day before when three men were killed by two teenagers at the nearby Mosque. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

JCC’s preschool graduation ignites pride and hope

The prayer, masterfully sung by Jennifer Meltzer, asks for blessings upon the teachers, upon their students, and upon the students of their students. It reminds us that learning is not simply the transfer of knowledge. It is a relationship, a chain of connection, a sacred partnership between generations. [Betzy Lynch]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Fit’ bars many Black, Queer rabbis from congregational posts

The rabbi at the margins must possess every credential the listing demands, and then, on top of that, perform fit. The rabbi at the unmarked center gets to be a fit by default. Everyone else has to earn it on top of the job. You can be twice as qualified and half a candidate. [Rabbi Sandra Lawson]

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Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Introducing Shahar Masori and his children’s books

I persuaded him to write a column for San Diego Jewish World to offer an Israeli-American perspective on the news.  As he did so, the writing bug must have bitten him.  He poured himself into writing some books for children, and now books for adults are in the works. [Donald H. Harrison]

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animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Sandi Masori, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Love, marriage, and sex as told by my father, a rabbi

The controversial reception to Dad’s Marriage Made in Heaven stemmed primarily from its explicit and frank discussion of sexual intimacy, which many in the Orthodox rabbinate in 1958 considered inappropriate for public consumption. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

Parsha Beha’alotecha: Light one candle for the strength that we need

The Sifrei explains that the flame had to rise independently, teaching that genuine spiritual growth cannot be forced externally; it must awaken from within. The role of a leader, parent, teacher, or friend is not to control another person’s flame, but to help kindle it until it can sustain itself. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

‘Essentials of Judaism’ will please life-long Jews and those studying for conversion

The authors created a text that speaks simultaneously to the intellectually curious reader, the seeker of religious inspiration, and the conversion student searching for a reliable and comprehensive guide. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin}

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

Forgotten video provides insights into Holocaust survivor Edith Eger’s life, philosophy

Dr. Edith Eger, who was a Holocaust survivor, author, psychologist, and longtime resident of La Jolla, California, passed away on April 27.. Her family recently came across one of the last videos she recorded, which shows her wise, warm, fierce, and full-of-joy message. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Michael Tilson Thomas and the Yiddish Theater: A Firsthand View

The extraordinary Michael Tilson Thomas (1944–2026), known to his public and colleagues alike as MTT, succumbed in April to an aggressive brain cancer. Conductor, pianist, composer and educator, he was a musicians’ musician, one of dazzling brilliance who was somehow still performing — conducting Mahler symphonies, no less — well beyond anyone’s expectation of what was possible with the grim prognosis he faced. [Ronald Robboy]

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Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA