By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Over the past several years when writing about this week’s Torah portion, I often shared two very contemporary lessons – never give up hope and be in control, emotionally, when dealing with oneself and with others. As the years pass, it appears these lessons are even more […]
Parashat Chayei Sarah: Never Give Up Hope Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
At 11:11 a.m. on November 11, or what might be written as 11:11/11/11, former South African enlisted man Norman Kort blew taps on a World War II bugle that he had purchased at an estate sale in England. As he did so, David Schlichtman raised the U.S. flag at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in honor of America’s Veterans Day. The occasion marked 104 years since the Nov. 11, 1918 Armistice that brought World War I to a close. [Donald H. Harrison]
3 Jewish Vets Recommend Universal Military Service Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The Chaim Grade masterpiece, “The Yeshiva II,” is subtitled “Masters and Disciples” because it tells of dozens of lives of people in a manner unequaled by other writers. Each of the many people who populate this story has interesting and exciting lives that will fascinate readers.
‘The Yeshiva’ Volume II: Interesting and Exciting Lives That Will Fascinate Readers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Trestman was a medical doctor long before he became a rabbi. He still is a pulmonary specialist with the Palomar/ Pomerado Hospital Group. But now, he is also a Chabad rabbi who, with his wife Debra, hosts Bais Betzalel Chabad of North County Inland at their home in Rancho Bernardo near the Poway city line. At the hospital, his colleagues call him “Ken” whereas at the shul he is known by his Hebrew name “Yehuda.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Doctor Who Became a Rabbi Runs Chabad Shul in Rancho Bernardo Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
(JNS) Nov. 30, 2022, is proscribed by Israeli law as the annual remembrance day when 850,000 Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews were driven, expelled, coerced, and “encouraged” to leave their homes across all Arab lands and from Iran. It will mark the 75th anniversary from when the expulsion pressures began with redoubled earnestness. One day earlier, on Nov.
November 30 in Jerusalem: Annual Remembrance Day for Jews Expelled From Arab Lands Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — It may be difficult to imagine that the purpose of an entire week’s Torah reading is to teach us about the importance of acts of kindness, in particular, hachnasat orchim, but that is just what Rabbi David Kimcha, the Radak, suggests to us. Do you run, not
Parashat Vayeira: The Importance of Acts of Kindness Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
LA JOLLA, Calif. — On Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 6:30-9 p.m., South African Jewish American Community (SAJAC) San Diego will hold the gala opening of “The Goldene Medina: Celebrating 175 Years of Jewish Life in South Africa,” a new exhibition in La Jolla. Gourmet bites and refreshments will be served. September 2016 marked the 175th
La Jolla Exhibition to Mark 175 Years of Jewish Life in South Africa Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Journeys to Heaven and Hell by Bart D. Ehrman, a highly respected New Testament scholar, tells some of the different notions various nations and people had about the afterlife in ancient times. He describes a wide variety of katabases and anabases, but not all. Katabasis means
Examining Different Notions About the Afterlife Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The assassination in Sarajevo of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian Habsburg throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was the most important political assassination of the twentieth century, for it was the trigger for World War I. However, this assassination, committed in 1914, was not the only resounding political assassination in the
The Red Terror of the Pacifist Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, OpinionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Want to move beyond your limits and extend your potential? To do so requires that you forcefully replace any limiting thinking, and “Go out of your land, our native country, and your father’s house.” Contemporary self-help and self-awareness meant to help us grow and shift, suggests asking,
Parashat Lech Lecha: Why Torah? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
An ideologically diverse coalition of parties led by the centrist Prime Minister Yair Lapid opposes Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc. Lapid cobbled together this “change coalition” after the last election in March 2021. It incorporated all of the left and center parties, multiple right-wing parties, and, for the first time in Israeli history, an Arab party. These parties had only one goal in common: end Netanyahu’s 12 years in power. [Nikolai Schweber]
Israeli Election Primer: The Players, the Stakes, the Issues Read More »
Israel, Jewish HistoryBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In the whole of the Torah, there are only six portions that are named after an individual. Don’t look for parasha Avraham or Moshe. But we do have the Noach Ish Tzaddik Tamim Hayah BeDorotav the wholehearted, righteous man, “perfect in his generation.” Yes, there are of course
Parashat Noach: Seeking Out Righteousness Over Arrogance Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
In Stein’s version of the story, illustrated by Sabina Hahn, Jonah is a teacher, whose class of elementary school students meets under a tree. He told the children stories, brought them snacks of figs and raisins, and gently reproved naughty behavior. He was such a good teacher that God decided he would be ideal for teaching the people of Nineveh {Mosul, in modern-day Iraq) that they must change their evil ways. [Donald H. Harrison]
Story Book Interprets the Jonah Tale for Children Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — Tragedies often have a comic origin. This affair started out as being amusing and pleasurable, as well as uplifting, life-affirming and optimistic. It is August 25, 1917 Berlin. The premier of the operetta, The Black Forest Girl (Schwarzwaldmädel) is performed at the Komische Oper theatre. It has been a