By Doron Krakow It’s all so straight forward. That’s the key in any event. Take the complex and unpack it until it becomes something requiring little more than an elevator ride to explain. After all, who has time for a deep dive? It’s all in the turn of a phrase. The political divide. Social unrest. […]
Learners, Not Knowers Read More »
Doron Krakow, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion
Oy! There’s a lot of whining in this week’s Torah reading.
Come to think of it, it appears to be the basis of one of my mother’s oft-repeated sayings, “Keep complaining and I’ll really give you something to complain about.” We are world-class kvetchers, aren’t we? The food isn’t good enough, the seat at the table isn’t good enough, the hotel room isn’t the best, the politics, oy gevalt, the list goes on and on. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Parasha Behaalotecha: Stop Complaining, Be Grateful Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
No sooner than Cleator took over the office as acting mayor, he broke the news to me that Queen Elizabeth II of England would be visiting San Diego, and that I, as communications director, would be in charge of the city’s press arrangements for the traveling and local media. [Donald H. Harrison]
Oh, the Mishaps that Greeted Queen Elizabeth II on Her San Diego Visit! Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
Helene Meyer’s book Movie-Made Jews explores how films mirror and shape the diverse identities embraced by contemporary American Jewry. Readers of the Jewish feminist magazine Lilith and the Jewish Women’s Archive Blog will be familiar with Meyers’ insightful movie reviews. Here on a bigger canvas, she analyzes documentaries and feature films that venture beyond common cinematic stereotypes of American Jews to dramatize their attitudes towards antisemitism, assimilation, feminism, gender orientation, the Holocaust, Jewish assertiveness, and race relations. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Screening American Jewish Diversity Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Aside from the terrible tale of the kidnapping and apparent rape of Jacob’s daughter Dinah in the biblical book Genesis, we know very little about Dinah other than the usual obscurities which the Torah does not explain, which prompt us to think of what is happening and why, some of which we list below. This tale also raises the question of the Bible’s view of women. [Rabbi Israel Drazin]
Bible Leaves So Many Quesions Unanswered about Dinah Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — Sinai Temple, one of the largest and most prominent synagogues on the West Coast, announced today that their board of directors has approved Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman as the congregation’s new Senior Rabbis. Rabbis Guzik’s appointment is historical, as she will be the first female senior rabbi
Prominent West Coast Synagogue Sinai Temple Appoints New Senior Rabbis Read More »
California, Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Naso, “to lift up,’’ the longest single parasha in the Torah with its 176 pasukim, the Torah reading, following Shavuot, opens with a description of the responsibilities placed on the Levites, who are “lifted up” to perform their duties. We are introduced to
Parashat Naso: Waking Up to the Messages Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Jerry Klinger It is called by some the “legend of the Little Dunkirk.” It was no legend. There are legends about the Jews in Denmark after the Nazi occupation of the country in April 1940. One popular legend was when the Nazis ordered all Danish Jews to wear the Yellow Star of David Armband,
Saving the Jews of Denmark Read More »
Holocaust, International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USA
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — When I lived in the U.S., I enjoyed the variety of architecture found in my neighborhood. Typically, the homes were colonial houses with their symmetrical front facades and accented doorways, split level homes with staggered floors, one-story ranch houses, and enchanting Tudors with pitched roofs, herringbone brickwork and touches of
The Rich Tapestry of Jerusalem Architecture Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, Jewish History, Middle East, Travel and FoodBy Doron Krakow Spring is a time of renewal. Longer, warmer days. Blooming trees and gardens. It is a season of beginnings—of new life. A season of weddings and graduations, major milestones in the lives of individuals and families. A season in which we come together, in settings both large and small, to mark these
To Everything There is a Season Read More »
Doron Krakow, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, USABy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha is read on the Shabbat before the celebration of Shavuot (this year beginning on Saturday evening, June 4, and concluding on Monday evening June 6). Both the parasha and the holiday involve counting. In the parasha, we learn of the importance of counting each
Parashat Bamidbar and Shavuot: The Multifaceted Importance of Counting Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Jerry Klinger “The Citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of, as
On Memorial Day, Remember Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion
A large crowd gathered on December 1, 1995, to rename the Quad at San Diego City College as Schwartz Square. The gathering was in honor of history professor and American Federation of Teachers #1931 President Larry Schwartz. He had died at age 62 of a brain tumor ten months prior to the ceremony. The dedication plaque there reads: “In memory of Larry Schwartz. He inspired students, challenged colleagues, and shared the passion and action of his time.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Larry Schwartz: Organizer of AFT Local 1931 Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — Michael Rabin — beloved son, brother, friend, and community member — passed away on May 14 at home in La Jolla. He was 42. Born in Seattle on October 18, 1979, Michael was arguably best known for his vibrant, inimitable, unforgettable smile — a smile that made countless
In Memoriam: Michael Rabin, 42 Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County