Every element on our Seder plate speaks. Every drop of wine we spill teaches us something. The matzah in our hands, the bitter herbs on our tongues, the salt water that tastes like memory, these are not illustrations of the story. They are the story, and we are invited to step inside it once more. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Pesach itself is this week’s D’var Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The Seder plate and its meanings: Typically, the Seder plate contains six symbolic items that represent the Passover story.
Meaning of the foods on the seder plate Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
In the face of threats from Iran and its proxies, and the worldwide scourge of antisemitism, the resilience of the Jewish people continues to show itself in ways both big and small. It is in how we support one another, how we show up, and how we hold on to hope. [Mark Levenson]
Keeping the faith, performing acts of kindness, in the face of antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Passover reminds us that freedom is not only about leaving Egypt. It is about refusing to accept a world in which dehumanization becomes routine. It is about recognizing that what is tolerated today can become something far more dangerous tomorrow. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]
Passover brings with it the necessity of fighting antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Rabbi Amnon Bazak’s second volume on the biblical book of Samuel is superb, far better than the many classical commentators he frequently mentions. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Bazak keeps to literal interpretation of Torah in II Samuel Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Which country is the staunchest ally of the US? Is it Britain, Canada, or Australia? No, it’s Israel! [Steve Kramer]
U.S. has its reasons for opposing Iranian hegemony in Middle East Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, USA
Professor Abigail Bornstein is a Jewish faculty member at CCSF who became the target of repeated, public, and highly personalized attacks rooted in anti-Semitic tropes and threats. [Press Release]
S.F. City College backs Jewish professor’s claim of antisemitic harassment Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Israel, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Passover reminds us freedom does not come easily. It’s something we move toward—through purpose, through connection, and through the belief that change is still possible, even when the path forward isn’t clear. [Dana Toppel]
Passover: A time for meaning and Jewish connection Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
However, after spending time at Heather Marianna’s pre-Oscar’s celebrity gifting suite, “A Toast to Hollywood,” I came away with the sense that the event is also very much about connection, strategy, and giving brands a shot at being seen in a crowded world. [Sandi Masori]
Hollywood celebrity gifting suite is about more than just swag Read More »
Business & Finance, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
For any agreement to be durable and sustainable, it must address the core drivers of instability that brought the region to this point and thereby must ensure that Iran can no longer threaten regional or global security. (Press Release)
AJC: Here are principles the U.S. should insist on with Iran Read More »
Israel, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, USA
The youngest guest is 75. Since I’m only 8, I’m expecting to be asked to bark the Four Questions. Since I want to make them relevant to my canine buddies, I’ll not only bark the questions but also comment on them. [Elona Baron as barked to Laurie Baron]
The meaning of the four questions to a dog Read More »
animals, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & SatirePassover calls us not only to remember the Exodus, but to see ourselves within it, and to imagine what redemption can look like in our own time. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]
More suggested questions for discussion at your seders Read More »
Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Dr. Samuel’s very informative and readable book teaches us what kabbalah and mysticism are, their history, the people involved, the countries they were associated with, the influences and impact of these ideas on their lives and others’ lives, and the problems they posed. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
‘Kabbalah Demystified’: A primer about Jewish mysticism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
At the heart of Shyfrin’s project lies an informational ontology—the view that information, rather than matter or energy alone, constitutes the fundamental substrate of reality. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Kabbalah conforms with some modern scientific theories Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors