Judaism

Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma

This is a memoir of an American falling in love with a French man who is more traditional in his religious observance than she is.  They marry and live for a while in France, but Israel calls to him.  She wants to live in the familiar U.S. of A.  He wants his family to be raised as traditional Jews in Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA

Community Supports SDSU Chabad House in Replacing Menorah Lost to Hate Crime

By Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — A new menorah was installed Saturday outside the Chabad House, just east of San Diego State University. This bigger, brighter and vandal-resistant menorah – it weighs 1,500 pounds and is 20-feet tall – replaces one that was destroyed earlier this year in a suspected hate crime. Rabbi

Community Supports SDSU Chabad House in Replacing Menorah Lost to Hate Crime Read More »

Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Rabbi Wayne Dosick: San Diego County’s Longest-Serving Rabbi and Still One of Its Most Innovative

Some people become increasingly conservative as they age; but the reverse has been true in Dosick’s life. He grew up in a Conservative congregation but decided to enter the Reform seminary of Hebrew Union College because he objected to the Jewish Theological Seminary of the Conservative movement on two grounds.  First, it still separated men and women during prayer services and Dosick opposed mehitzahs (physical barriers). Second the JTS leadership was then on record supporting the war in Vietnam in the mistaken belief that if the U.S. left Vietnam to the Communists, its support for Israel against its enemies also might be shaky. [Donald H. Harrison]

Rabbi Wayne Dosick: San Diego County’s Longest-Serving Rabbi and Still One of Its Most Innovative Read More »

Ben Dishman, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Focus on the Bagel, Not on the Hole: A Thanksgiving Parable

In Judaism, there’s a saying in the Talmud, “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). This wisdom resonates deeply with the spirit of Thanksgiving. It’s about recognizing the fullness of our lives, even when there are ‘holes’, or missing pieces. It’s about finding joy and gratitude in what we do have – the ‘bagel’ – the blessings, the opportunities, and the hope that surrounds us. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

Focus on the Bagel, Not on the Hole: A Thanksgiving Parable Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Travel and Food

Hanukkah Celebration Returns to Sesame Place San Diego

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Sesame Place® San Diego, the only theme park on the West Coast based entirely on the award-winning show Sesame Street®, is hosting a Hanukkah Celebration on Sunday, December 10. The daytime family-friendly holiday fun includes: Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony – Guests can join their favorite furry friends for this holiday

Hanukkah Celebration Returns to Sesame Place San Diego Read More »

Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Ugandan-American Tells of Fateful October Visit to Israel

Then, the first siren rang. We were bewildered and befuddled but the amazing hotel staff shuffled us into the basement along with the other hotel guests.  In my imagination, this was just another one-day scuffle. Such is what passes for “peacetime” in this part of the world, I thought. [Shoshana McKinney]

Ugandan-American Tells of Fateful October Visit to Israel Read More »

International, Israel, Jewish History, Shoshana McKinney, Travel and Food

Bais Betzalel Chabad Celebrates Its First Bris

There is a special Jewish custom that in the months leading up to the delivery, the father opens up the Aron Kodesh to bring out the Sefer Torah. The Zohar says, “When the congregation takes out the Torah Scroll, the Heavenly Gates of Mercy are opened, and G‑d’s love is aroused.” The husband opening the Gates of Heaven hopefully elicits G‑d’s merciful blessing that the birth be easy and without complications. [Rabbi Yehuda Trestman]

Bais Betzalel Chabad Celebrates Its First Bris Read More »

Jewish Religion, San Diego County