By Liam Aron JERUSALEM — In his book The Big Leap, bestselling author and successful life coach Gay Hendricks outlines something he calls the Upper Limit problem. “Many people go through life,” he writes, “believing that they only deserve a certain amount of happiness and success. This is known as an ‘upper-limit mindset.’” Hendricks writes […]
The ‘Big Leap’ Soul Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Judaism
This prose extract from Joshua described as the work of ‘Former Prophets.’ It tells of an alleged event en route toward the conquest of Jericho as inserted by the Deuteronomist writer(s). [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah for June 5, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
In this memoir, nonagenarian Michael G. Kesler tells how as a teenager, he escaped both forced service in the Soviet Army and the Nazi invasion of his Polish home town by hopping trains with his older sister Luba eastward to the Soviet Asian republics where they both found productive work. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Survivor’s Trek Through Europe and the U.S. Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Travel and Food
Isaac Herzog, former Minister, Chairman of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, was elected by the Knesset (parliament) to serve as Israel’s 11th President. Herzog currently serves as the Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Herzog was elected with the support of 87 out of the 120 Members of Knesset and his tenure will begin on July 9th. [News Release from office of Isaac Herzog]
Isaac Herzog Elected as Israel’s 11th President Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East
I am who I am thanks to Shabbat. Due to this biblically mandated institution, I have peace of mind, a flourishing community, a great relationship with my family and a career where I traverse the country singing its praises. All this benefit for just taking a day off! The Torah emphasizes Shabbat more than any other ritual because it provides the most profound physical, financial and emotional evidence that one is serious about a relationship with God. [Sam Glaser]
Erika Hecht’s mother had herself and Erika converted from Judaism to Catholicism to protect them from discovery by the Nazis or their Hungarian allies, the Arrow Cross. Erika was enrolled in Catholic school, where she learned her catechism, but she remained aware of her Jewish parentage — especially since she remained close to her father and paternal grandmother. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Family’s Anguish after Converting as Catholics during Nazi Era Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History
Fear, “false expectations appearing real,” puts the brakes on a good life. Faith, “fear ain’t in this house” takes the brakes off and promotes a more enjoyable life. This week, Sh’lach reminds us just how powerful and limiting fear can be. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Fear Not, This Week’s Torah Portion Advises Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
SAN DIEGO (Family Remembrance) — After a long, busy, and varied life, Aviva Shapira of San Diego passed away on May 19, 2021, succumbing to complications from a fall at home, and from many years of various health problems, including autoimmune disease. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family, sons, and little granddaughters. She was 78. [Family Remembrance]
In Memoriam: Aviva Salomon, 78 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County
Highlights of Good News from Israel for the May 30, 2011 edition include:
–Israeli wound treatment uses patients’ own blood to save their lives.
–Israeli-invented pill camera to be given to 11,000 UK patients.
–Media reports of Israel’s civil war are fake news.
–Israeli technology is out of this world.
–20 Israeli companies have partnered to make Israel’s roads safer.
–Almost every week there’s a new Israeli billion-dollar company.
–Israelis smash swimming and singing records at Euro events.
–Birthright has resumed free Israel tours for American Jews.
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (May 30, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
For many years, performing any of Richard Wagner’s orchestral works was verboten in Israel. Wagner was a virulent antisemite and Hitler’s favorite composer. In a country that had taken in so many victims of the Holocaust, performing any of Wagner’s works would have been like pouring burning oil onto an open flesh wound. [Donald H. Harrison]
Goodbye Columbus, Schweitzer, and Lindbergh Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
What Jewish beliefs do Jews of all stripes agree on? I would assume that monotheism and Tikkun Olam are two safe guesses. [Rabbi Tuvia Teldon]
Recognizing Small Daily Acts of Tikkun Olam Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USA
Published by DPA Dubai’s Crossroads of Civilizations Museum has opened what curators say is the Arabian Peninsula’s first-ever exhibition on the Holocaust, set to become a permanent fixture of the museum, focussing on the history of regional cultures. “It is very important to us that we focus on educating people about the tragedies of the
Dubai opens first Holocaust exhibition on Arabian Peninsula Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East
This week’s reading is Parshat Bi’ha’loh’ticha, which begins with the Mitzvah of lighting the Menorah. This special and symbolic Mitzvah was given to Aharon HaCohen and his children. When thinking about this portion it occurred to me that there are some powerful messages that can be applied to marriage, as this week I celebrate my 33rd wedding anniversary. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
The Menorah Provides Lessons for Happy Marriages Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
As part of our JWB Jewish Chaplains Council® National Jewish Community Observance of Memorial Day, on Thursday, we were honored to visit the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal, while the ship was in port in New York City. The USCGC Nathan Bruckenthal is named for the first Jewish Coast Guardsman killed in combat since the Vietnam War. Petty Officer Bruckenthal, described to us by the ship’s captain as “a nice Jewish kid from Long Island,” served his country as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was killed during a successful attempt to thwart a seaborne IED (improvised explosive device) attack on a major installation in the Arabian Gulf. He sacrificed himself to protect others [Rabbi Irving A. Elson and Doron Krakow]
A Memorial Day Weekend Tale of Two Jewish American Military Heroes Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, USA