LOS ANGELES – It has always been accepted that this nation was founded on a code of Judeo-Christian ethics and that our founding fathers recognized the importance of spiritual practices as a basis for moral behavior. But it sadly seems that the current leadership of the Democratic Party needs a reminder in basic ethical behavior. […]
OpEd: Democrats should do tshuvah Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Ryan C. McKim LOS ANGELES — In a remarkable opinion, a California appellate court held that the “ministerial exception” – a constitutionally based defense to employment claims brought against religious organizations – does not apply to religious school teachers. The “ministerial exception” is intended to ensure the autonomy of religions to select and control those
OpEd: Court ruling affects Jewish preschools Read More »
Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USABy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Last December, not long before the date of the next general election in Israel was announced, the two stars of Habayit Hayehudi (Jewish Home), Naftali Bennett (the minister of education) and Ayelet Shaked (the minister of justice) left that political party to form a new one called, Hayamin Hechadash
Post- secular Judaism emerges in Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastFaith and Freedom, a commentary on the Haggadah based on the teachings of Eliezer Berkovits By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Hungarian-born scholar Eliezer Berkovits (1908-1992) was a highly respected Orthodox rabbi. He was educated in Berlin, Germany, where he received his PhD. He authored 19 books in several languages. He held
The Haggadah seen through mystical eyes Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Joshua Dorsch SAN DIEGO –In our Torah portion this week, Tzav , the priests are instructed how to perform their sacrificial duties. In verse five, they are told that the fire on the altar needs to always be kept burning and that it must never be extinguished. Nevertheless, we are told again, in verse six,
Weekly Torah portion: Tzav Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — My theatre guest the other night was a young photography student, Esteban Aguilar. A very talented artist with a keen eye, Esteban has been creating a portfolio focusing on social justice issues such as the border fence. Esteban Aguilar’s work can be seen on Instagram, @daj3w.
Not wanting to sound racist Read More »
Eric George Tauber, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USABy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Even rationalists like me can read, enjoy, and learn from the writings of mystics. We do not have to accept everything they say as being true, but there are things they say which are true. Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook [1] was born in Latvia in
The wisdom of Rav. Kook Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Republican Jewish Coalition denounces Clyburn’s comparison of Trump to Hitler The Republican Jewish Coalition responded to remarks Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) made to NBC News Tuesday, comparing Donald Trump’s presidency with Hitler’s rise to power. RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said: “Asked about today’s political environment, Rep. Clyburn drew parallels between President Trump and Adolf
Editor’s E-Mail Box: March 20, 2019 (6 items) Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USABy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The holiday of Purim is observed today with a fast day called the “Fast of Esther” that precedes it on 13 Adar. Some Jews observe the fast day from morning until sundown. It does not begin the night before as Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av, and
Esther never fasted on the Fast of Esther Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion
(c) By Leba Lieder and Israel Drazin Page 1 The Purim holiday was around the corner and kids and mice everywhere were preparing their costumes and getting ready to give Purim gifts. Moti, a special mouse, wondered if he could find a Purim gift to give to someone. Page 2 As much as it was
Just What the Doctor Ordered: Moti’s Purim Story Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — In my book, Unusual Bible Interpretations: Ruth, Esther, and Judith, I showed that Judith, in the apocrypha, the book Jewish ancestors decided not to include in the Bible, was more observant of Jewish practices than Ruth and Esther. The rabbis did not see this in this
Queen Esther inspired many midrashim Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Caren Besner BOYNTON BEACH, Florida — Albert Einstein once observed, “If my theory of relativity is proven correct, Germany will claim me as a German and France will declare that I am a citizen of the world. Should my theory prove untrue, France will say that I am a German and Germany will declare
Anti- Semitism on the march globally Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle East, USAWitness: Lesson’s from Elie Wiesel’s Classroom by Ariel Burger, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New York © 2018, ISBN 9781328802699, p. 264 plus notes, $26. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Elie Wiesel (1928 – 2016), Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize laureate, perhaps best known for his memoir Night, and arguably the most well-known Holocaust spokesman of
What Elie Wiesel taught his students Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Joshua Dorsch SAN DIEGO — This coming week, we will be celebrating the holiday of Purim. According to the the Jewish mystical work the Zohar, in the world to come, Purim will be one of only two holidays that is still celebrated – the other one is Yom Kippur. At first glance, it
The Zohar’s linkage of Purim and Yom Kippur Read More »
Jewish Religion