Judaism

B’shalom: Top CSU Professor; Jewish Political Scene; Obituaries

Mazal tov to Alyssa Sepinwall, who by a process of nominations by students, has been honored as the best professor in the California State University System. She was lauded for engaging students in discussions rather than simply lecturing to them from behind a lectern. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Adat Yeshurun’s Eruv Prompted Stiff Opposition From La Jolla Organizations

When South African-born civil engineer Brian Marcus relocated from his first American home in Dallas to La Jolla, it was just in time to volunteer his help for three major projects for Congregation Adat Yeshurun.  First came the building of the sanctuary and campus of the Orthodox congregation.  Next came the completion of a mikvah on the property.  And third came the most complicated task of all: erecting an eruv. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

B’Shalom: Biden’s Pesach Greetings, Passover and Jewish Political News

In an OpEd that was released over Cable News Service, U.S. President Joe Biden described the Passover seder as a “cautionary tale of the present and our future as a democracy.”  He said that the Haggadah tells of “how evil in every generation has tried to destroy” Jews and warned that antisemitism is “rising to record levels today.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

How Should We Think and Live?

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Rabbi Dr. Nachum L. Rabinovitch (1928-2020) authored “Pathways to Their Hearts,” an easy-to-read book by a renowned scholar about how we should think and live. His views are correct. They are based on the rational teachings of the “Great Eagle,” Judaism’s foremost philosopher Maimonides (1138-1204). Rabbi

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Why is Passover Different From All Other Nights? 3 Essential Reads

Published by The Moderate Voice Amitai Gross reads from the Haggadah while preparing to dip parsley into salt water as part of the Passover meal, called the Seder.Marty Caivano/Digital First Media/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images Molly Jackson, The Conversation Boxes of matzah stacked high in grocery stores? It’s almost Passover. Wednesday, April 5, marks

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Jewish Religion

Jewish Congressman Benjamin Gilman Fostered Study Abroad Programs

Chances are the students who receive the scholarships know only a little about their benefactor, the late Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, a Republican from New York and a member of the Jewish community.  Towards the end of his congressional career, he urged his colleagues “to defray eligible study- or intern-abroad costs,” according to the website of the Gilman International Scholarship Program. “These costs include program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, passport and visa fees.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Ben Dishman, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

A Rational Understanding of Numbers and When Shabbat and Years Start

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The second weekly biblical portion in the third Book of Moses is called Tzav. The Torah addresses the five types of sacrifices mentioned in the prior portion. In the former weekly portion, the focus was on the people bringing the offering. Here it contains instructions for

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

San Diego’s Jewish Pioneer Built Area’s First Tannery in Rose Canyon

Rose Creek runs through Rose Canyon, which is known to seismographers as the site of the Rose Canyon Fault.  The canyon, the creek, and the fault are not named for the rose flower.  These locations are named for Louis Rose, who in 1850 became San Diego’s first Jewish settler. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA

‘His Only Son,’ Movie about Abraham and Isaac, Opens March 31

On March 31, in theatres around the country, His Only Son, a Christian movie by David Helling depicting the binding of Isaac, will open.  Except for some Christian references at the beginning and end of the epic, the film fits in well with Jewish exegesis. It’s a fascinating cinematographic midrash on Genesis 22:1-19.  [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

B’Shalom: Jewish MLB Players; Sabras, Jewish Political & Celebrity News

As the Major League Baseball season is about to get underway, I’m disappointed to report that our San Diego Padres do not have any Jewish player on the roster. However, there are eight Jewish players on National League teams that the Padres will play during the regular season. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA

A New Outstanding Commentary on the Biblical Book Leviticus

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Koren Press’ “The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel – Leviticus” follows its predecessors on the Biblical books Exodus and Samuel as a third outstanding biblical commentary. It contains a wealth of scholarly information written in an easy-to-read and interesting — even fascinating — fashion

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion