The Wedding Plan written and directed by Rama Burshtein, distributed by Roadside Attractions; Hebrew with English subtitles. To be presented May 26 at Hillcrest Cinemas. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There is a scene in The Wedding Plan in which Michal (Noa Koler) is being driven to the wedding hall. She has on her […]
Chutzpah or faith? Bride plans wedding without groom Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Theatre, Film & BroadcastI Can’t Wait – Is a Weight! By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — “And when you come to the land, you will plant all types of fruit trees. For three years, the fruit will be prohibited; in the fourth year, it will be sanctified to praise G-d, and in the fifth year and from
Weekly Torah portion: Kedoshim Read More »
Jewish ReligionFrench centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron visited the Holocaust Memorial in Paris on Sunday, one week before he faces off against far right leader Marine Le Pen in the country’s presidential election. Amid worries about rising nationalism, and on the day France remembers thousands of Jews who were deported to Nazi death camps, Macron warned the
Macron visits Holocaust Memorial a week before presidential run-off Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionLook at It, but Not at Him! Look at Him, but Not at It! By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — Tzoraas is a misunderstood phenomenon. The Torah describes it as various discolorations that can happen to clothing, houses, or a person’s body. A trained Cohen examined the object or person and depending on the
Weekly Torah portion: Tazriah Read More »
Jewish ReligionThough British MP Andrew Percy always had an affinity for the Jewish state, he didn’t imagine that it could be more than that — until he converted to Judaism By Jenni Frazer LONDON — Andrew Percy is a successful Conservative politician. He’s a Member of Parliament and Minister for the Northern Powerhouse, a campaign to
The Conservative member of parliament who went all the way for Israel Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle EastSAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Beth Israel will celebrate three honorees at its annual fundraiser this year, Eat, Pray, Sing!. Rabbi Michael Berk will be honored for his ten years of dedicated service as Senior Rabbi, Rabbi/Cantor Arlene Bernstein will be recognized for 20 years of service as cantor and most recently as rabbi as well, and
CBI will honor Berk, Bernstein and Mills on May 6 Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego Calendar
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND (Press Release)– Treasures from the world’s largest and most important collection of medieval Jewish manuscripts – chronicling 1,000 years of history in Old Cairo – will go on display in Cambridge this week for a six-month-long exhibition at Cambridge University Library. Discarded History: The Genizah of Medieval Cairo opens to the public on
Genizah treasures to go on exhibit Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle EastIn lobbies throughout the capital, young ultra-Orthodox men and women sit down every evening to participate in a carefully rehearsed dating ritual By Tracy Frydberg Just inside the ornate glass doors stands a cluster of modestly dressed young women, not too overtly scanning the crowd. The objects of their attentions are sitting restlessly in the
Jerusalem hotels: Unlikely hotbeds of furtive, meticulous romance Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – One of the nightmarish questions we Jews ask ourselves is “After all the Holocaust survivors have passed on, who will tell their stories?” Following a Havdalah service on Saturday night at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, a group of pre-teens and teens affirmed in unison: “When they are gone, we
Who will tell their stories? “We will!” students answer Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USAMore than 8,000 Jews arrived Thursday night to pray at the tomb of the Biblical Prophet Joshua the son of Nun in the Samaria town of Kifl Hares. Among the worshipers were 250 immigrants from France, the prayer was organized by the director of the Samaria Regional Council’s holy sites division. The worshipers were accompanied
Thousands pray at Joshua’s tomb Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal EN ROUTE TO SAN DIEGO — I am writing this onboard a Swissair flight to Los Angeles. After we arrive at LAX we will pick up a rental car and drive to San Diego. (I understand why it is more economical to fly out of LAX, but it is nevertheless frustrating.) Every
Visiting Jerusalem during Passover, Easter Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and FoodTel Aviv (dpa) – A Supreme Court ruling in Israel allowing some shops to remain open on the Jewish Shabbat has prompted anger from within Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ruling coalition, local media reported Thursday. About 160 shops in Tel Aviv, a highly secular coastal city, can remain open on the Jewish Shabbat according to the
Netanyahu faces coalition anger over Israeli court’s Shabbat ruling Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastThe hunger strike now being held by jailed terrorists comes with various ramifications, starting with the expected rioting on Palestinian streets and possibly beyond, and extending to the question of the Israeli government”s ability to stand up to this sort of struggle. Among other things, a hunger strike like this leads to the question of
‘If there is danger to life, it is an obligation to force-feed’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastOver 25,000 Jews visited the Patriarchs’ city of Hevron over Pesach (Passover). The visitors toured various historical sites in the city, enjoyed the “Lagaat Banetzach” (literally, “to touch eternity”) exhibit, and were even able to visit rarely-open sites, such as the grave of the first Biblica Judge, Otniel ben Knaz and the ancient “Kasbah” neighborhood.
25,000 Jews celebrate Passover in the Patriarchs’ city Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East