By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — When it comes to the topic of moschiach (messiah), there is no shortage of opinions. Some claim the messiah already came and is “coming back” one day to fulfill the entirety of messianic prophecies. Unfortunately, this is an unfalsifiable claim since it hinges on waiting for an undetermined point […]
Will the Real Moschiach Please Stand Up? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Teresa_Konopka
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Wow! Talk about a special Shabbat. First, this is Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Comfort, based on the first verse of the Haftarah reading that says, “Console, console my people, says your God.” This, of course, follows Tisha B’Av in which we deeply re-experienced a litany of
Parashat Va’etchanan-Shabbat Nachamu: Meaningful Relationships Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Selwyn Isakow SAN DIEGO — This week we mark Tisha B’Av, the saddest day in the Jewish calendar. So many tragedies have happened to the Jewish people on this date – the 9th of Av, including the destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem by the Greeks, and 656 years later the Romans destroyed
Tisha B’Av Reflections: Building a Better Future Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Opinion, San Diego County
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — Israel enjoys a strong relationship with the Czech Republic and Slovakia, two countries that comprise the former Czechoslovakia. To understand the root of this special relationship, let’s go back over 130 years and focus on Tomas Masaryk. The name Masaryk may ring a bell, as streets in over half a
Like Father, Like Son Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East
By Jerry Klinger Recently, the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation’s U.K. branch placed a new historical, interpretive marker in Whitechapel, London. The marker was placed on a building that replaced the Adler House. The Adler House was named in honor of the Chief Rabbi of the British Empire, Hermann Adler, 1891-1911. The text of the
Whitechapel: ‘Centre of Jewish Immigrant Life’ Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History
By Rabbi Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — I enjoyed The Old Testament and the Truth by S. Seth Haas. His book deserves five stars. I did not agree with all of Haas’s conclusions from his study of the Five Books of Moses. But this did not detract from my enjoyment. I found, as his
Obscure Items in the Bible Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. This Shabbat, traditionally known as Shabbat Hazon, “Sabbath of Vision,” we begin reading the Book of Deuteronomy. This is the Shabbat directly before Tisha b’Av, beginning on Saturday night, August 6, a day of collective communal Jewish mourning. This day solemnizes some of the most overwhelming losses in our history
Parashat Devarim: Respecting All as Human Beings Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
CARLSBAD, California (Press Release) — Temple Etz Rimon of Carlsbad hosted an open house event in the Ocean Hills Community of Oceanside. The gathering was a complete success. Prospective new members learned everything the Reform Congregation has to offer. Speaking at the event were Cantor Caitlin Bromberg, the Temple’s spiritual leader and Mary Weiss, the
Temple Etz Rimon of Carlsbad Hosts Open House for Prospective New Members Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
By Rabbi Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida —I enjoyed the poetry book “Brought Down” by Simon Constam. It is both delightful to read and thought-provoking. The phrase “brought down” is a literal translation of Yiddish, Hebrew, and Aramaic terms suggesting an ancient Jewish idea or teaching being recalled. The 30 poems are easy to read.
May We Condemn God? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — Why do we believe what we do? Is our religion any better than others? Street epistemology aims to find out. In contrast to evangelism where one tries to convert another to a belief, street epistemology is quite different in that it does not aim to sway anyone. It is
Does Your Faith Stand Up to the Test? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Teresa_KonopkaBy Rabbi Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The mistreatment by too-many rabbis of women is inexcusable. Many alterations were made in biblical marriage and divorce laws, but not for agunot. The Hebrew Bible gives few details about marriage and divorce. Deuteronomy 24:1 states: “If a man takes [yikach] a wife and has sex with
A Horrible Rabbinical Mistake! Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. When you walk into a synagogue, what do you feel? A deep-rooted home, a sense of connection and a feeling of being appreciated regardless of your age, religious ritual practices, sexual orientation, cultural background, family life? I seek to feel an authentic connection, a well-anchored link and emotional stir to
Parashat Matot – Massei: Helping Our Synagogues Do Better Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – The San Diego Rescue Mission received a donation of $1,800 from Leo Fink, a 13-year-old San Diego resident from Carmel Valley who recently had his bar mitzvah and wanted to give part of his gift money to help his neighbors experiencing homelessness. Leo has been volunteering at the San Diego
After her divorce from her cantor husband, author Zark wanted to make certain that the small son whose custody they shared would be brought up Jewishly in both homes. She wanted to make Shabbats and the full range of Jewish holidays interesting and accessible to her son, and in the process, she reflected upon the meanings of the holidays, Torah passages, and various Jewish customs. [Donald H. Harrison]
Single Mom Stokes Her Son’s and Her Own Jewish Faith Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles