Passover 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
In 1998, Perutz published a collection of essays about scientists and science titled I Wish I’d Made You Angry Earlier: Essays on Science, Scientists, and Humanity. Among these essays was the following: “Friend or Foe of Mankind?” (Fritz Haber, “a man’s fascination with poison gas”), where he attempted to decipher the “structure of the hemoglobin molecule” of world history through the example of Haber. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish biography: Max Ferdinand Perutz, molecular biologist Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
By Betzy Lynch in La Jolla, California Every day at our JCC, I have the gift of witnessing incredible educators share knowledge, curiosity, interpretation, and genuine connection. Many of these educators have been formally trained and are intentionally tasked with creating optimal learning environments and delivering curriculum with skill and care. This includes our early
‘Make for yourself a teacher’ and that could be your seder guest Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodWhat sets Weinstein’s work apart from standard references (ArtScroll’s dictionaries, the Jastrow Talmud lexicon, or even free online tools like Sefaria’s glossaries) is its deliberate accessibility and Orthodox integrity. Every entry was vetted through Torah-centric sources only—no secular etymology or Reform reinterpretations. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Review: A guide to Jewish religious vocabulary Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
I don’t sell my items since I limit what we buy when Passover comes around, so it is just a few things that are opened to add to the fire. [Cailin Acosta]
Burning chametz: A family affair Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
New-Russia: Images from a Journey offers remarkable snapshots of the Soviet Union during a brief but revealing historical moment. The book captures the Soviet experiment as it was still taking shape. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Book Review: ‘New-Russia: Images from a Journey’ Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
My first encounter with antisemitism came when I was hospitalized for suspected scarlet fever at the age of ten. The children’s ward contained some 20 beds for both boys and girls, and the treatment we received was coldly efficient. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Attack on ambulances revives memories of British antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
What may be the most anxiety-provoking question a Jew hears this week? “Have you finished cleaning for Pesach yet?” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Tzav: The flame that must not go out Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined ContributorsIn this week’s parsha, Tsav, the Torah pivots from the “how-to” of the offerings to a repeated, severe prohibition: “You shall not eat any blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwelling places” (Leviticus 7:26). [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Parsha Tsav: The vampire in the palace Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Across the pond, hoodlums globalized the intifada when they set fire before 1:45 a.m. Monday to four ambulances operated by the nonprofit service Hatzola parked outside a synagogue in Golders Green, the largest Jewish community in London. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Acts of brazen antisemitism proliferate in North America, Europe Read More »
Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Jewish California is sponsoring an ambitious five bills in 2026. These bills protect our institutions, affirm who we are, and ensure that Jewish Californians and members of all minority faith communities can participate fully in public life. [Press Release]
Five bills to pass and one to defeat: Jewish California’s priorities Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press ReleaseWhen I get to the plagues, we go out to the backyard. I write out the plagues with bags of items for all of them. Plague 1: Water Turned to Blood; I put a glass of water and a glass of pomegranate juice. Plague 2: Frogs, I have a bag of plastic frogs that we throw into the air. Plague 3: Lice, I have bags of white rice we throw at each other. … [Cailin Acosta]
What does a vegan seder look like? Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food