Maggid Books has published a new five-volume series by the recently deceased scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz that inform readers in easy to read English of the fundamentals of Judaism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Steinsaltz’s Posthumous Introduction to Judaism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Three of my great-grandparents fled to the U.S. one hundred years ago, escaping torture and mass killings against Jews in Ukraine, Lithuania, and Austria-Hungary. Some of their relatives stayed behind and did not survive, but my great-grandparents arrived penniless on Ellis Island to find a better life. [County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer]
Lawson-Remer recalls Jewish ancestors’ immigrant struggles Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
The World Jewish Congress hosted a discussion via zoom with three children of survivors: Professor and poet, Menachem Rosensaft; Rabbi Arthur Schneier and New York Times Best-Selling author Yossi Klein-Halevi. [Eric George Tauber]
Commemorating Yom Hashoah in Verse Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eric George Tauber, Jewish History
HOLOCAUST APPROPRIATION: When Holocaust terminology is used in a way which minimizes the gravity and uniqueness of the tragedy. eg, Calling political opponents ‘Nazis’ or accusing Israel of Nazi/ Holocaust policies. [Elliot Friedland]
Standing Against ‘Holocaust Appropriation’ Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
It’s a day of sad contemplation of what the Jewish people have lost, not only in numbers but in individuals, parents, children, relatives, people who worked with their hands or their brains, doctors, scientists, artists, writers, and lawyers, and so many others. So much talent wasted, so many minds and bodies obliterated senselessly. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
A Family and a Nation Remember Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History
Participants from across the world joined leaders, dignitaries and Holocaust survivors April 8 in March of the Living’s virtual events marking Holocaust Remembrance Day across the Jewish world. This year’s March of the Living paid special tribute to the medical professionals who risked their lives during the Holocaust. [From News Releases]
Global Holocaust Remembrance Goes Virtual Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
The Passover 2019 attack on Chabad of Poway in which congregant Lori Gilbert-Kaye was murdered and three other persons were wounded has prompted a pair of criminal cases and a civil case in its wake, while a fourth criminal case involving tax fraud proceeds in federal court. [Donald H. Harrison]
Another Shoe May Drop in Chabad of Poway Case Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Enabling communities to experience Independence Day as one global community, the International March of the Living (MOTL) program, “Salute to Israel’s 73rd Birthday,” includes panoramic views of Israel’s natural beauty and a special performance by Israel Army Choir and Chief Cantor Shai Abramson. [Marcia Wollner]
Global webcast to mark Yom HaShoah April 15 Read More »
International, Jewish History, Marcia Tatz Wollner, San Diego County, USA
Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a Mississippi Republican, scores zero for two so far on the facts. She falsely claims that Sunday is the Sabbath besides Saturday and, far more importantly, that our civil rights revolve around religious beliefs. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Senator forgets Constitution prohibits favoring any religion Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Jewish Religion, USA
The parasha presents us with the abrupt, heart-rending, seemingly inexplicable loss, the passing of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu. We read in the parasha (10:1-2), “And Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, each took his pan, put fire in them, and placed incense upon it, and they brought before the Lord foreign fire, which He had not commanded them. And fire went forth from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Accepting that God’s Will Is for the Good Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The title of this book is an understatement if ever there were one. “Three Ordinary Girls” really should be retitled as “Three Extraordinary Girls.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Book Review: ‘Three [Extra] Ordinary Girls’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish HistoryVirtually the entire Bible is either obscure or ambiguous. This not a criticism. Some scholars and I have noted that all very good literature is obscure or ambiguous. This enhances what is written. It gives the reader an opportunity to interpret what is being read. It is as if there are two writers of what is written both the original author and the reader. As a result, the reader gets more out of the writing than the writer composed. In addition, in regard to biblical law, it gives the religious leaders of the Jews an opportunity to reinterpret the obscurity to correspond to modern times [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Tower of Babel ‘Trial’ Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionWith antisemitism on the rise, it is tempting to stay laser focused on stories that impact our community, but we must resist the temptation. Those who complain how few people helped Jews during the Holocaust (although the Righteous Among the Nations surely did), need to follow the same moral high road that we wish others would have followed during our time of peril. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Sage Hillel Guides Our Choice of Stories Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
The egoism that had plagued the Hellenists did not subside simply because they had lost the war. The Hasmoneans, who were now the masters of Judah, had soon fallen prey to the same power of increasing self-centeredness, and the moral and social decline continued. “In becoming rulers, kings and conquerors,” writes historian Paul Johnson, “the Hasmoneans suffered the corruptions of power. …Alexander Jannaeus [ruled 103-76 BCE] … turned into a despot and a monster, and among his victims were the pious Jews from whom his family had once drawn its strength. Like any ruler in the Near East at that time, he was influenced by the predominant Greek modes.” [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]
Jewish Unity and Antisemitism, Part VIII Read More »
Jewish History