Binyamin Netanyahu is the most powerful politician in Israel. Yet he often describes himself as a victim – of the media, of the police, of the judiciary, now even of an alleged cabal within his own party led by his rival Gideon Sa’ar. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Netanyahu has a persecution complex Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East
When reading the San Diego Union-Tribune, there are times that I feel I am benefiting from more than the news. The newspaper also reinforces some fundamental concepts of good behavior and dare I say it? – morality – in its coverage. Let me work from the back sections to the front to explain what I mean. [Donald H. Harrison]
Morality lessons in the daily news Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, USA
Three Democratic members of Congress representing portions of San Diego County – Susan Davis, Scott Peters, and Mike Levin – were among 192 cosponsors of a House Resolution approved by a vote of 226-188 on Friday, Dec. 6, that reiterated support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. A fourth San Diego Democrat, Juan Vargas, joined his colleagues in the majority. [Donald H. Harrison]
Resolution on Israel wins S.D. reps. support Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Had Lavan not tricked Jacob into marrying the wrong daughter, Joseph would have been the first born child. If that were the case Joseph would never have been thrown in the pit, and his family would never have followed him to Egypt. Baeyrav points out that Lavan had no reason to hate Jacob, yet caused him pain and suffering on each and every step of his journey, and continues to do so, until this day. The Rashbatz adds, this is meant to teach us a very important lesson; that when there is unpacifiable hatred forming relentless enemies, peace seems almost impossible. [Rabbi Joshua Dorsch]
But for Lavan, Joseph could have been Jacob’s first-born Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
“And when Jacob saw Rachel,…and watered…(her) flock…Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and broke into tears.” This is an example of love at first sight. I wondered about existence of this phenomenon in ancient times. It is acknowledged to have commonly occurred, but the first well-recorded explanation comes from a story told by Aristophanes, described by Plato in The Symposium. [Irv Jacobs, M.D]
Love at first sight, and other biblical phenomena Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Other items in this column include: *Numbers add up for Butterfly Project *Political bytes *Mazal tov! Mazal tov! By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — In furtherance of the goals of the newly created San Diego Holocaust Survivor Coalition, the Jewish Federation of San Diego County has published a prototype book, sketching the lives of
Book charts lives, legacies of Holocaust survivors Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
In this week’s parasha, Vayetzei, we learn quite a bit about spirituality, how we can find a deeper, broader meaning in life. In Genesis 28:17 Jacob proclaims, “How awe-inspiring is this place! This is none other than the house of G-d, and this is the gate of heaven!” When was the last time you felt awe inspired, recognizing the house of G-d wherever you may be? [Michael Mantell, PhD]
Searching for God a route to wellness Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Elana Levens-Craig, granddaughter of the late Rabbi Monroe Levens of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, is seeking election to a third term on the Santee School District Board. In 2016, she ran unopposed, and, so far, it looks as if she will again have no opposition. The Santee School District has nine K-8 schools, serving approximately 7,000 students.[Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi’s granddaughter seeks 3rd school board term Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
For eight nights, starting with the twenty-fifth of the month of Kislev, Jews celebrate the 165 BCE victory of the Maccabees, a brave troop of priest-warriors that vanquished the mighty Syrian-Greeks. Every winter, we commemorate this military miracle by lighting the Chanukah candles, increasing the glow of spirituality in the world and saluting those who keep the dream of freedom alive. [Sam Glaser]
Chanukah: A time of dreams, visions Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Sam Glaser
True to its roots, when it was founded in 1936 to help European Jews who were being persecuted by the Nazi regime in Germany, the Jewish Federation of San Diego County on Tuesday, Dec. 3, launched a community-wide coalition to come to the aid and honor an estimated 500 Holocaust survivors who live in the county today. [Donald H. Harrison]
Community coalition to aid Holocaust Survivors Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food, USA
You might have heard attorney Roberta Taylor Winston perform as a cantorial soloist at Congregation Beth El, where she also has served on the board. Or perhaps you heard her belting out the songs for Congregation Beth Am’s Rockin’ Shabbat band. Even before that, you might have heard her sing as part of the High Holiday quartet that accompanied Cantor Alisa Pomerantz-Boro at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Now, she’s campaigning for another spot in which she would have an audience, but instead of performing, for the most part, she would be actively listening. Roberta Winston, 58, is in a race to become a Superior Court Judge in Office No. 18, from which Judge Jacqueline Stern is retiring [Donald H. Harrison]
Attorney, singer Roberta Winston runs for judge Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Everyone needs a vacation, even people who run daily websites. Accordingly, my wife and co-publisher, Nancy Harrison, and I plan to take a three-week breather from this exciting and enjoyable task of putting out San Diego Jewish World. We will suspend publication after our report is filed on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, and will resume publication on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. [Donald H. Harrison]
San Diego Jewish World to vacation Dec. 19-Jan 8 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County
In response to my recent article on Noah’s Flood, reader Turk Hill wrote with a question that I answered. Dear Rabbi Drazin, After the flood, Genesis recounts G-d in a state of regret, “His heart was saddened.” This has caused some scholars to ask the question, “Does G-d regret?” Certainly, G-d is all-knowing and knew the future. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Can God regret? Is God all-knowing? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
[BDS advocates] have persuaded the European Union to introduce a labeling policy on Jewish produced products and services from Judea and Samaria in Israel, frequently called “the West Bank,” and in diplomatic circles the “disputed territories.” In a unique policy, the EU is insisting that Israeli products emanating from Jewish towns, villages, and industrial areas in these areas can no longer be labeled “Made in Israel” but must be designated some other description. [Barry Shaw]
EU’s Blatant Anti-Semitism Read More »
Barry Shaw, International, Jewish History, Middle East