By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–One of the critiques against fixed prayer (i.e., reading the same prayer book selections over and over) is that it can become boring and monotonous. How can one possibly pour out one’s heart before God by repeating the same words three times a day, seven days a week? Where is […]
Approaching fixed prayer with spirituality Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Almost 28 years ago, our youngest child was born. Due to our advanced age, we gave him the name Mattan. The English translation of mattan (מתן) is “gift.” Some time later, when in a US college book store, I happened on a Bible Dictionary, looked up the name, and found
The politics of religion and vice versa Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Following are the endorsements of San Diego Jewish World in contested races on the June 5 ballot. We chose not to endorse in some contests, anticipating in some cases the opportunity to do so in the November general election. FEDERAL U.S. Senate — Dianne Feinstein U.S. Congress, 49th
San Diego Jewish World endorsements Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
The Biblical Outlook: Topics in Jewish Philosophy by Rabbi Shlomo Polachek; Penina Press, Jerusalem, 2012; ISBN-10: 1936068273; 463 pages. $29.95. By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The concept the author wishes to present is an important one. He wishes to show the various strands of biblical passages that can be used by a
Book on biblical philosophy needs better sources Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
The Creative Destruction of Medicine: How the Digital Revolution will Create Better Health Care by Eric Topol M.D.; Basic Books, 2012, ISBN-13: 9780465025503, 320 pages. By Joel A. Moskowitz MD, FAPA, FAAP LA JOLLA, California–Dr. Eric Topol is a genius, who is based here in La Jolla. The beginning of his book, The Creative Destruction of
La Jolla doctor foresees computerized revolution for medicine Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Sheryl Rowling SAN DIEGO — Question: I’d really like to save more than I do. I’m not an oysbrenger, but unfortunately, I just don’t know where all my money goes. I can’t keep track of a budget. Do you have any suggestions for me? A: Yes. There are a few tricks to saving money painlessly. Here
Money Maven: Some painless ways to save money Read More »
Sheryl RowlingBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — When Johann Gutenberg (1394-1468) unsheathed his new invention in 1454, this great invention changed European civilization forever, because it led to the advancement of literacy in all areas of human interest. It is interesting that the Catholic Church originally had some misgivings about Gutenberg’s new invention.
Gutenberg’s printing press was the Internet of the Middle Ages Read More »
Travel and Food
By Rabbi Hersh Tzvi Weinreb NEW YORK — I am sure that you have a most favorite activity. I know that I do. I am also sure that you have a least favorite activity, as I do. My most favorite activity is visiting Israel. One of the experiences I especially cherish during my visits
On giving–and receiving–the priestly blessing Read More »
Jewish Religion
Sacred Trash: The Lost and Found World of the Cairo Geniza by Adina Hoffman and Peter Cole; ISBN 978-0-8052-4258-4 ©2012, $26.95, p. 384, including notes Reviewed by Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — The word geniza, from the Hebrew root gimmel, nun, zion, means a hidden treasure, an appropriate name for a millennium’s worth of
‘Sacred Trash’ tells story of Cairo Geniza Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Temple Emanu-El welcomes Richard J. Shapiro as interim rabbi, beginning July 1. Interim Rabbi Shapiro will serve for one year while the congregation conducts a search for a successor to retiring Rabbi Martin S. Lawson. Shapiro grew up in southern California and received his BA in Jewish Studies from UCLA in 1976.
By Morton A. Klein NEW YORK — Following last week’s Egyptian first round of voting in the country’s presidential election, which has seen the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohamed Mursi, win a plurality of the vote (44%), the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has pointed to continuing, alarming developments in Egypt. The ZOA is urging the
U.S. brushes off Muslim Brotherhood’s anti-Israel rhetoric Read More »
Middle EastBy Ira Sharkansksy JERUSALEM – My wandering the library stacks produced Jeff Shesol’s Mutual Contempt:Lyndon Johnson, Robert Kennedy, and the Feud That Defined a Decade (New York: Norton, 1997). I recall the general picture from the 1960s onward, and have seen details in other writing. What challenges conventional wisdom is the degree of absolute nuttiness
LBJ and RFK compartmentalized their loathing for each other Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, USA
By J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA — Bilingual education has always attracted me. I built the first bilingual Hebrew-Arabic primary school for citizens of Israel a quarter century ago. Now there are five bilingual schools in Israel and more on the drawing boards. I have a great-grandson in Palo Alto, Calif. He attends a
Bilingual schools in Israel celebrate Arab and Jewish narratives Read More »
Middle EastSAN DIEGO (Press Release) – The Jewish Federation of San Diego County Women’s Philanthropy held a clothing drive called “Share Your Style Boutique” for families of Camp Pendleton on May 20. The boutique had nearly three thousand articles of clothing donated to more than 150 military families. “We have been thrilled at the outpouring of
Jewish Federation donates clothing for military families Read More »
San Diego Calendar