By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week, in parasha Vayikra, we see a powerful message coming alive behind Jewish ritual and tradition – if we approach our learning inside the parasha with an open heart and a desire to grow. Rav Wolbe, a prominent 20th-century Jewish educator and author, offers insights into parasha […]
Parashat Vayikra: The Sound of Silence and Humility Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The first weekly portion in the third Book of Moses is called Vayikra. The third book as a whole was initially called in Hebrew Torat Kohanim, “The law of the Priest,” since much of the book deals with the priestly functions of the family of Moses’
Some Rational Ideas About Vayikra and Sacrifices Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Jerry Klinger In March 2022, Martin Sugarman, the Chairman of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation’s U.K. branch, shared with me a contact he had received. Susan Soyinka, from Penzance, Cornwall, had contacted him about possibly funding a Remembering Stone for Albert and Rosa Reuss. The Reusses were Austrian Jewish refugees who escaped
The Crocus Project and the Meaning of the Holocaust Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — Two honorees of the Women’s Museum of California died on March 15. One was author and columnist Natasha Josefowitz who was 96. Lucid until the end, she had been writing columns for La Jolla Village News and San Diego Jewish World through the end of February. An archive of her articles that appeared on
Obituaries: Women’s Museum Honorees Natasha Josefowitz, Rosalie Schwartz Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Natasha Josefowitz, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Israeli Filmmaker Ran Tal has put together a fascinating documentary in which former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak contemplates whether Middle Eastern history would have changed if plans to assassinate Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat had been approved during the 1970s by his superiors. At that time, Barak was an up and coming officer in the IDF, not important enough to make policy, but sufficiently well placed to carry it out. [Donald H. Harrison]
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — “The liberation of the eternal city on the banks of the Tiber marked the beginning of the liberation of the eternal city on the slopes of Moria, with the resurrection of Italy begins the resurrection of Judaea,” Moses Hess, a secular Jewish philosopher, wrote in 1862 in the preface
Moses Hess: The Red Rabbi Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion
(Press Release) Young American Jews want more experiences with rabbis because those interactions help them feel more spiritually connected and more connected to a Jewish community, says a new report released today from Atra: Center for Rabbinic Innovation. The first-in-a-generation research, conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group, paints a rich picture of what factors lead
First-in-a-Generation Study Shows Positive Influence of Rabbis on Young American Jews Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
Before being herded onto separate trains, the couple made a vow that they would meet each other back in the main square in Kaunas whenever they should be liberated. [Donald H. Harrison]
Couple’s Post-Holocaust Reunification Story Has Emotional Impact Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Two biblical Torah portions are read this week. The portion of Vayakhel, Exodus 35:1-38:20, contains the Sabbath law, which the rabbis translated as “You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day,” which the Sadducees translated as “You shall have no fire throughout
Rational Thoughts on Vayakhel, Pekudei, Shabbat, Synagogues, and More Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — There are many lenses we can bring to our deep study of each week’s Torah reading. The lens I prefer is one that helps search for and find ways to lead a healthier, more meaningful, and purposeful life. This week’s double reading from Vayakhel- Pekudei is brimming with
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Hachodesh: Combining Our Hearts and Talents as One Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The tall ocotillo plant (Fouquieria splendens) that abounds in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has many common names, among them, according to the Britannica website, “coachwhip” and “vine cactus.” “Ocotillo” translates from Spanish to “little torch” because of the red flowers that grow at the end of its branches. Perhaps its most mysterious nickname is one that may or may not tell a Jewish story, “Jacob’s staff.”[Donald H. Harrison]
B’Shalom: ‘Jacob’s Staff’; TV’s ‘Equalizer,” and Israel in the WBC Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Chabad has established vibrant and growing Jewish communities on either side of the southern tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula. The larger one, on the Pacific Ocean side in Cabo San Lucas, has strong connections to San Diego County. The other in La Paz, along the Sea of Cortez, is smaller yet also quite active. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Jews of Baja California Sur Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County
“I think the single most important thing Jews can do if they want to reduce animal suffering, to practice the value of tzaar baalei Chayim, compassion for animals, is to reduce or altogether stop eating animal products,” says Gross, who is vegan. “Even if one still continues to eat meat when out and about, it makes sense for food to be more deliberate in Jewish communal settings, which I think should be places where we aspire to have our food represent the best of our values.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Studies Professor Says Ethics Demand More Humane Treatment of Animals Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, The World We Share, USA
This book tells an amazing, true story about the Judean date palm that was thought to be extinct but was brought back to life thanks to two women scientists. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Miracle of the 2,000-Year-Old Date Seeds Brought Back to Life Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education