The volume contains Maimonides’ Introduction to Mishne Torah, Sefer Hamadda and Sefer Ahava, in Hebrew and English, with Ravad’s glosses on Maimonides’ text. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Maimonides and his critics engage in a halakhic discussion in this Steinsaltz edition Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe emotional range is extraordinary and serves as a splendid message and lesson for readers. One page may have readers smiling at a soldier’s wit; the next may be almost unbearable because of its honesty. No letter romanticizes war. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Last letters of Israeli soldiers poignant, witty, and even joyous Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Three local poets, Donna Rolfe, David Chait, and Betzy Lynch, will be featured in the final program of the 2025-26 season of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices, Tuesday, May 19, 7 p.m. in the Astor Judaica Library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. [Eileen Wingard}
Local poets Rolfe, Chait, and Lynch to be featured at the JCC May 19 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, Staff and Bylined Contributors
When three Jews in a troubled, hostile-to-their-people Vienna put on a jester’s cap and write an operetta with a happy ending, one might think they were indulging in wishful thinking or trying to drown their fears, to dissolve their worries in the desired joy. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Emmerich (Imre) Kálmán, operetta composer Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Readers meet Gundi Schiller, a pregnant college student from Berlin. While she appears to fit the Nazi ideal of an Aryan woman, she is secretly involved in a resistance group. [CeCe Acosta]
Middle schooler reviews book about a Nazi breeding program Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Elliot Perlman (May 7, 1964) is an Australian author and barrister. He has written four novels (Three Dollars, Seven Types of Ambiguity, The Street Sweeper, and Maybe the Horse Will Talk), one short-story collection (The Reasons I Won’t Be Coming), and a children’s book. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Elliot Perlman Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
What makes this book shine is its consistent structure: sharp questions on the text, insights drawn from Chazal, classical commentaries, and Chassidic thought (especially Chabad), followed by the powerful “Making It Relevant” section. These practical takeaways and reflective exercises are the book’s greatest gift—they transform passive reading into active spiritual growth, helping readers see the big picture of each week’s parsha as a roadmap for their own lives. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Making It Relevant’ aligns Torah with modern life Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined ContributorsAlthough living in the southern kingdom of Judea, he felt called by God to prophesy in the northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of the latter country’s enormous prosperity and demeaning inequality (c. 760 BCE). (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
‘Amos: The Genius of Prophetic Rhetoric’ is superb Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Leslie Epstein (May 4, 1938 – May 18, 2025) was an American educator, essayist and novelist. Epstein was born on May 4, 1938, to an American Jewish family in Los Angeles and grew up in Hollywood. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Leslie Epstein Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Science, Medicine, & Education, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
One day, when Yoshi, mom, Laggie, and Grillo were beach combing for brightly colored sea glass, they found a shiny green object that stood out from all the other pieces. When they brought it home, dad said it looked like a gem, more valuable than the others. [Donald H. Harrison]
Girl’s family and pets make a discovery on a local beach Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe book chronicles Israel’s transition from a confederation of tribes led by judges to a united monarchy under kings, covering the lives of Samuel (the last judge), Saul (the first king), and David’s rise to power. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Book on I Samuel combines religious scholarship, easy-to-read writing Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
And the question
the same one
running through every generation,
every body,
every breath:
What connects all humans? [Betzy Lynch]
Poetry: What connects all humans? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Suddenly an unexpected gale force wind came along and lifted me from the sidewalk and hurled me 15 feet into the street, right into the path of oncoming traffic. I tried to stand up but my right leg collapsed, feeling like an empty airbag. My hip joint shattered from the fall and I was now stuck on the ground. [Amy Neustein]
A Special Mother’s Day of hope: A message gleaned from a very serious wind accident Read More »
Amy Neustein, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Joseph Heller (May 1, 1923 – December 12, 1999) was an American author of novels, short stories, plays, and screenplays. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Joseph Heller Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia