Many Orthodox Jews are convinced that the basic tenet of Judaism is the acceptance of the idea that both the Five Books of Moses, the written Torah, and the rules in the Oral Torah were given by God to the Israelites on Mount Sinai. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Does the Oral Torah change Judaism? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
This parasha covers the last three plagues, followed by exit from Egypt, with reminders to remember and celebrate the Exodus annually. I have chosen to pursue two passages, with regard to possible similarity to other ancient literatures. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Hardened hearts and ancient slavery practices Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Worries that Sanders could jeopardize the party’s standing coincided with the impeachment trial, Trump’s so-called peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians, and the aftermath of the parliamentary elections in Britain. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Sanders could hurt down-ballot Democrats Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA
It was a day remembered for the enormous loss of life. It is also a day for remembering the story of four who could have saved their own lives, but chose instead to give their place in a lifeboat to four others. The four men who made that sacrifice were Army chaplains: a Catholic priest, a Jewish rabbi, and two Protestant ministers. Each man had volunteered for military service. George Fox, a Methodist minister, had been a combat soldier in World War I and still suffered from wounds he had received. Yet after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor he volunteered for active duty. Rabbi Alexander Goode and Dutch Reformed minister Clark Poling left behind wives and young children. John Washington, a Roman Catholic priest, had just left his widowed mother. [Michael Feldberg, Ph.D]
The Four Chaplains: Immortal courage at sea Read More »
International, Jewish History, USA
I think we all should congratulate Mayor Catherine Blakespear and three other members of the Encinitas City Council who voted their hearts, and not their fears, in the recent battle over providing safe overnight parking spaces to 25 homeless families who are forced to sleep in their cars. [Donald H. Harrison]
Congratulations Encinitas City Council, JFS & Leichtag Foundation Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, USA
Trump has no coherent foreign policy doctrine, no understanding of historical perspective, and no knowledge of the intricacies of various regional conflicts. He is dismissive of alliances, unbound by international agreements; he is erratic, unfettered, and issues policy directives based on “gut feelings.” Here I provide a synopsis of Trump’s foreign “policy” and the global disorder he has and continues to sow. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Trump’s many foreign policy failures Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, International, Middle East, USA
How would renewing our belief in the seeming impossible, in the “miraculous,” do for improving our daily lives? And what would it take for us to achieve this transformative, spiritual renewal? Do we need to see the Nile River turn to blood, the land covered with frogs, the dirt turn to lice? When we see these, are reminded of them in remembrance of the Exodus, we are also reminded that Hashem controls the world and continues to do so daily. Exodus didn’t happen just to take us from Egypt, but to teach us to believe in the ultimate power of Hashem. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]
Belief in God a path to spiritual renewal Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Here in Israel all is not sweetness and light. Far from it. I have always tried to present the more pleasant side of life in Israel, and it certainly exists, political differences notwithstanding. But the grim state of public life at present cannot be ignored. After all, what sane country has to hold three general elections in the space of less than a year? [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Stalemate casts pall over otherwise content Israel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East
Coronado Playhouse is presenting through Feb. 23 Broadway’s Matilda The Musical with book by Dennis Kelly and music and lyrics by Tim Minchin. It is certain to be one of the all-time family entertainment productions here as it hits all the high notes while pointing out that wisdom is not necessarily reserved for “adults only.” [Carol Davis]
‘Matilda The Musical’ hits high notes Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Identical books with different titles and different covers introduce bookish mystery and confusion. Such is the case of No Place to Lay One’s Head and A Bookshop in Berlin by Françoise Frenkel which first appeared in 1945 as Rien où poser sa tête. The revival of an overlooked book has a special attraction. Publishers appeal to sensibilities of prospective readers through alluring titles and cover art. [Oliver B. Pollak, PhD]
1945 Holocaust memoir rediscovered Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Oliver Pollak
Dr. Sol Lizerbram, the Rancho Sante Fe resident who serves as the national president of Jewish National Fund-USA, says that many people are unaware that Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL) and JNF-USA are totally separate organizations, even though in the past, they were one and the same.
[Donald H. Harrison]
Clearing up confusion between JNF-USA and KKL Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
The impeachment trial of the President Trump has taken a surprising turn. A leak from John Bolton’s forthcoming book about his experiences as National Security Advisor reveals Trump conditioned military aid and a meeting with the president of Ukraine on the latter announcing investigations into Joe and Hunter Biden and Ukraine’s interference in the 2016 elections. Here are some other incriminating passages it allegedly contains: [Satire by Laurie Baron]
A witness for the witless Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
That Prime Minister Netanyahu was enthusiastic about the plan, even comparing it to the 1948 Israel’s Declaration of Independence, is understandable. As is the Palestinians’ total rejection of it. Having recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and declared the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, President Trump has now given Israel the green light to annex parts of what since the 1967 War has been disputed territory and where by now some half-a-million Israeli settlers have built their homes. The Netanyahu government will be quick to try to enact legislation to make it happen – even before the March 2 general election. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
The deal of the century — really? Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
By Carol Davis CHULA VISTA, California — In my growing up years, heaven was a place other people’s religions believed in. The one thing I knew for certain was Jews did not believe in heaven or hell. My friends and I talked that one to death – pardon the pun- when we got into philosophical
Roberta meets her Angel at the OnStage Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast