By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The book Job is composed of three parts: a prologue, an epilogue, and the body of the tale. Many scholars are convinced that the prologue and epilogue are additions to the story’s original body. The two are different in tone and portray God in a radically […]
Book of Job: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By his own assessment, being a rabbi who must give sermons before a congregation and empathize with congregants during times of their loss or emotional stress is a challenge that others might believe insurmountable given his high-functioning autism. [Donald H. Harrison]
Autistic Rabbi Brutally Honest about Issues and Himself Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — Heinrich Heine was loved and hated by the two nations to which he belonged. The Germans loved his lyrics and disliked his political poetry. The Jews liked to attribute his genius to themselves and disliked his conversion to Protestantism, which he often joked: “What do you want? I found
Meeting Heinrich Heine Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Some people think that Maimonides was a deist. I am convinced that they are mistaken. There are some similarities between Maimonides and deists, just as there are similarities between Jews and Christians, but these similarities do not result in us calling Jews Christians. This becomes
Was Maimonides a Deist? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — On Wednesday, January 18, from 7-8 p.m., the Congregation Beth Israel Men’s Club Speaker Forum presents, “Antisemitism in Visual Art Since the Middle Ages,” a lecture by Claudia Hercman. Hercman was born and raised in Buenos Aires, within the Argentinian Jewish community. She is a tour guide and translator. She
Beth Israel Lecture to Cover ‘Antisemitism in Visual Art Since the Middle Ages’ Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County
Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, Maimonides, was one of the towering figures in the history of the Jewish people. Of him it was said, “From Moshe (Moses) to Moshe (the son of Maimon) there arose none like Moshe.” The Rambam wrote, “Maintaining a healthy body is among the ways
Parashat Vayechi: A Religion of the Body Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
President Joe Biden signed a bill Monday in Washington d.C. that will rename the Rolando post office branch after former Rep. Susan A. Davis, D-San Diego. “Throughout her more than 20 years of public service, (Davis) always put her constituents first and fiercely advocated and delivered for our kids, students, families, service members and veterans, and the LGBTQ+ community,” Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego, said in a statement when she introduced the bill. [Times of San Diego]
Biden Signs Legislation Naming a Post Office for Susan Davis Read More »
California, Jewish History, San Diego County, USAA Jew, a cosmopolitan, a humanist, a pacifist, a supporter of a united Europe, Zweig did not accept Herzl’s Jewish nationalism. At a request of Herzl to help organize a Zionist movement, Zweig refused: the Jewish theme was too small compared with the problems of Europe. [Alex Gordon]
The Burning Secret of the Great Biographer Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History
Chanukkah greetings are offered by friends and relatives, as well as retail stores and banks, and almost every politician. What online Chanukkah greeting was offered this year by a politician which has garnered a lot of online response? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Chanukah Greetings Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireMaggid Books just published Days are Coming by Sivan Rahav-Meir, an easy-to-read, enjoyable, and inspiring book translated from Hebrew by Yehoshua Siskin. The book has many insightful ideas from sages, Bible commentators, and others regarding Jewish holidays, days following the holidays, and times when we remember people who taught us significant lessons that can improve our lives and make them enjoyable, such as the biblical matriarch Rachel and the philosopher Maimonides. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
‘Days Are Coming’ Includes Insights from Jewish Sages Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Of all peoples, we Jews should be in the forefront of those promoting help to men, women and children literally running for their lives. The principle is certainly in our history, maybe even our genes. The impulse dates back to Biblical days, when patriarch Abraham was celebrated for his hospitality. [Joel H. Cohen]
Jews Must Show Compassion for Refugees Read More »
Jewish History, Joel H. Cohen, USA
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — My company’s Netanya maven, Ruthie Yudin, texted me from Dona Gracia Street in Netanya. Googling the street name, she was blown away by Ms. Gracia’s life, and wrote: “Her story must be told!” Although streets in Tiberias and Haifa are also named in her memory, I was surprised that Dona
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous — and Generous Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, International, Israel, Jewish History
By Jacob Kamaras CHULA VISTA, California — How does it feel to be included? Southern California’s Jewish community experienced precisely that feeling December 19 on the first day of Chanukah at Sesame Place San Diego, which hosted a Chanukah celebration that featured a menorah candle lighting ceremony, a dance party with Chanukah music, dreidel playing
Sesame Place San Diego Makes Chanukah the Centerpiece of a Day at the Theme Park Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — Jews have been criticized many times – by the left for being capitalists, by the right for being socialists. Only once in history has a Jew been both a socialist and a capitalist. It was Alexander Parvus. In Latin, “parvus” is small, the pseudonym under which Israel Gelfand began
Revolution as Business Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion