U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene must be seeking vindication. Few Americans appreciate the “suffering” they endured during the past year or more. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Greene, Boebert Trivialize Holocaust in Fight Against Vaccinations, Masks Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Jewish History, USA
In Courtroom Trials in Jewish History, attorney and Jewish-community activist Esther Zaretsky offers an eclectic collection of stories about Jews who, in a broad sense, have had their day in court, courts representing justice at its worst, verdicts driven by antisemitism and anti-Israeli hatred. The title is somewhat of a misnomer, as there are no depositions or testimonies; no exhibits or closing arguments. Rather, Zaretsky provides the backstory leading up to the trial, the verdict, emphasizing how the “courts fail to affirm society’s most precious values of justice, equality, morality, and the preservation of human rights,” and its aftermath—we get to hear the rest of the story. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Antisemitism and the Courts Probed in New Book Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Let’s begin at the beginning of this week’s parasha, which we read on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av every year, and look at the first words of the Torah reading, “These are the words which Moshe spoke unto all of Israel across the Jordan…” Yes, Moshe spoke his words to ALL Jews, not just those alive then, but to all, including us today. When we read this parasha, Moshe is speaking directly to me and you. This makes Devarim a particularly human parasha, one in which Moshe establishes a quite personal relationship with each of us. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah Reading for July 17, 2021 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Published by DPA An historic synagogue in eastern Germany is set to reopen on Monday, after about 30 years of renovation works that cost around 12.6 million euros (15 million dollars). German Commissioner for Culture Monika Gruetters, along with members of the region’s Jewish community and local political leaders, is to preside over the reopening
Germany to reopen one of nation’s ‘most beautiful’ synagogues Read More »
Jewish Religion
Most Jews who read the book do so like they daven (read) the prayers, in a rush, with no intent of trying to understand what they are reading. I once saw a bearded synagogue rabbi fire a very nice highly intelligent un-bearded man because he was not pious enough by the rabbi’s standard to read the book from the Writing to the congregation, and had a bearded man recite the book from the pulpit. While the un-bearded man read the book for the congregation at a fair pace, the bearded man rushed through it as he sped through his prayers. Both the reader and the rabbi failed to understand why Jews were advised by their ancestors to read the Tanakh, including the book of Lamentations. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Proper Way to Read Lamentations Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
For years, Avigdor Lieberman has been calling for a limitation of what the Haredim have demanded, and received. He’s called for a liberalization of marriage laws, allowing the joining of those not Jewish according to Orthodox Rabbis, with those who are Jews. Or the union of two people who can’t satisfy the demands of the Orthodox, who insist on those born of a mother who can prove that she was born of a Jewish mother [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
‘Russians’ vs. the Haredim in Israel’s Latest Political Battle Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East
What is the message conveyed by the representation of plants in religious text? What do the images that these references bring to our minds tell us about a people and a society? These are questions posed by award-winning artist and author Gloria Abella Ballen, whose book Garden of Eden: Plants of the Hebrew Bible was the subject of a recent webinar sponsored by the American Sephardic Federation. [Ellen Hernandez]
The Importance of Plants in Religious Art Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Family, colleagues, and staff at Father Joe’s Villages were saddened to announce the passing of Father Joe Carroll who died early morning Sunday, July 11. The President Emeritus of Father Joe’s Villages was 80. [News Release from Father Joe’s Villages]
Father Joe Carroll, Homeless Advocate, 80 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA
-In the July 11, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Israeli breakthroughs in transplantation and medical device technology.
–Israel provides running water to Tanzanians and Native Americans.
–Israel’s Technion is Europe’s top institute for Artificial Intelligence.
–Israel has begun producing pure water from the Jordan River.
–A face-recognition tech startup is Israel’s latest $1 billion company.
I–sraelis won medals at informatics and acrobatics.
–Stunning discoveries revealed during excavations in Jerusalem.
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (July 11, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, USA
Published by DPA Esther Bejarano, a Jewish woman who survived Auschwitz concentration camp by playing in the girls’ orchestra, has died at the age of 96 in Hamburg, her adopted home. Helga Obens, a member of the Auschwitz Committee board, confirmed her death on Saturday. Bejarano died quietly in her sleep in the early hours
Auschwitz survivor Esther Bejarano dies at the age of 96 Read More »
International, Jewish History
Unless overturned on appeal, a case brought against gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson and gun store San Diego Guns will be permitted to proceed on behalf of the victims of the April 27, 2019 shooting at Chabad of Poway, which occurred on the last day of Passover. [Donald H. Harrison]
Suit Okayed Against Gun Manufacturer, Store in Chabad of Poway Shooting Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Orthodox Union (OU), the nation’s oldest and largest umbrella organization for the North American Orthodox Jewish community, has awarded $100,000 in grants to 35 synagogues in 15 U.S. states — including three synagogues in California — and one Canadian province in an effort to bring communities back to synagogue
3 California Synagogues Among 35 Receiving Grants to Welcome Congregants Back Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
Two non-continuous extracts, all in verse, form the second of the three Haftorahs of admonition, recited between the 17th of Tammuz and Tish-a b’ Av. Each has no literary connection to its accompanying Torah portion. In these verses, Jeremiah poetically goes after the southern nation’s universal violations against God’s law, in a ‘jeremiad.’ [1] The northern nation of Israel had already been destroyed over 100 years earlier, by Assyria.[Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for July 10, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Former Labor Party leader and Jewish Agency chairman Isaac Herzog was sworn in as Israel’s 11th president on Wednesday, saying he would work to repair divisions within Israeli society. [JNS]
Isaac Herzog Sworn in as Israel’s 11th President Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East