Judaism

Rosh Hashanah Is Not a Biblical Holiday

Rosh Hashanah is not a biblical holiday, although it replaced a biblical one. It is notably different from the holiday it replaced. The biblical holiday, Yom Teruah, had a totally different purpose than Rosh Hashanah, which focuses on the onset of a new year, repentance, and commitment to live the next year properly. Yom Teruah concentrated on months and the number seven. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Good News from Israel (August 15, 2021)

In the August 15, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–Huge positive results from Israel’s mass anti-Covid vaccination boosters.
–An Israeli startup can predict and prevent allergies in babies.
–Israelis are helping Greece fight its devastating forest fires.
–A new Israeli low-cost drip-irrigation system is a game-changer.
–Two endangered species have found safe harbor in Israeli waters. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Following Grandma’s WWII Path Leads Author to Self-Discovery

The bulk of the book is about Rachael’s grandmother Hana, who as a young teenager during the Nazi era was sent by her parents from Czechoslovakia to safety in Denmark, where for a while at least she could live unmolested as a farm girl.  When Denmark’s German Nazi conquerors decided to round up the Jews, she was among the thousands who were helped by the Danes to escape to neutral Sweden. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

‘Riding the Edge’ Is a Memoir of Self-Discovery

In the context of the Middle East, to which they traveled by way of a tortuous, yet exhilarating bike safari through Europe, the Jewish Michael Tobin and his Lebanese-Christian girlfriend Deborah were problematic candidates for a lasting romance.  Religion, nationalism, and past romantic attachments seemed to militate against their permanence as a couple  However, these two American psychologists were open to new experiences and to each other, and their time on the road meeting people for intensive discussions about life, love, and loss, impacted each of them differently and profoundly.   [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Travel and Food

A Modern Approach to the Understanding of Judaism

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — In 1953, the brilliant scholar Dr. Theodor H. Gaster published Festivals of the Jewish Year: A Modern Interpretation and Guide. It was updated in 1961. It is about the Jewish festivals and the Sabbath, their description, origin, and comparison to other ancient festivals. In six chapters

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Memorial Service for Former Federation CEO Michael Jeser to be Held August 26

SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Heidi Gantwerk, Interim President & CEO of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, and Jack Maizel, Board Chair of the Federation, today issued the following announcement regarding an upcoming memorial service for former Federation CEO Michael Jeser, who died July 24: Friends, In observance of the conclusion of Sheloshim

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Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County

Olympic Gold Medal Rekindles Debate on Israeli Civil Marriages

Artem Dolgopyat won a gold medal for Gymnastics, and became a national hero. Both the President and the Prime Minister telephoned their congratulations. Bibi also weighed in with a good word, but made an error of doing it on Shabbat. That got a bad reception from ultra-Orthodox Knesset Members. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]

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Jewish History, Middle East, Sports & Competitions

Good News from Israel (August 8, 2021)

In the August 8, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: 
–Israeli researchers discover early warning markers for secondary cancer.
–Israeli doctors save the sight of a toddler from Gaza.
–An Israeli startup is 3D-mapping 18 million Australian buildings.
–Israel’s economic rating is still A+ despite the pandemic.
–Two Israeli gymnasts have won Olympic gold medals.
–Israeli archeologists found evidence of an earthquake that was recorded in the Bible. [Michael Ordman]

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International, Jewish History, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA