By Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO–Every once in a while it is interesting to type one’s name into Google and see what comes up. It almost never fails to be amusing and upon occasion perplexing as well. On one such recent excursion I came across an item which caught my eye: “Moral Issues and Christian Responses: […]
Internet surprise: I’m quoted by a Christian philosopher Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish ReligionGenealogical tools aid NJ and Russian relatives’ discovery of bonds Jessica Katz and her grandfather, Abram Belzycki, who died in 2011 at age 95. The Russians, top, and their American cousins have a conversation on Skype. Abram Belzycki in 1948, at age 32. Chaim Belzycki, Abram’s younger brother, who escaped the ghetto and fled to
Divided by Shoa, families find each other Read More »
International, Jewish History, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Since I was ordained in 1980, the Jewish community and its institutions have been going through a period of significant change and restructuring. Rabbis and Rabbinical organizations have not been insulated from these transformations. This week I attended the International Rabbinical Assembly Convention in New York City. I
Conservative rabbis debate proposed reforms Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — “If you will observe my statutes and my laws, then you will dwell in the land safely. The land will produce its fruit, and you will eat to satiety and you will dwell in the land in security.” (Leviticus 25:18-19) With this G-d promises us that if we
Weekly Torah portion: Behar Read More »
Jewish ReligionJerusalem has been photographed from nearly every conceivable angle, dating back to the 1830s, when the world’s first photographic images were captured on film. That photographic heritage is the subject of a new exhibit, “The Camera Man: Women and Men Photograph Jerusalem 1900-1950,” opening Thursday, May 26, at Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum. It was
For photogenic Jerusalem, a look at how locals first captured their city Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsA small town in Poland is building a wooden synagogue — more than 70 years after the Nazis burned all the country’s wooden Jewish temples to the ground. Thing is, there aren’t any Jews left in the town of Bilgoraj. Even the retired businessman who came up with the idea, 62-year-old Tadeusz Kuźmiński, isn’t Jewish.
A synagogue is born in a little Polish town, but no Jews are left Read More »
International, Jewish History
Editor’s Note: Following is a eulogy of Stanley Korn delivered by his son, Dr. Jeffrey Korn, on Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at Greenwood Cemetery in San Diego. By Jeffrey Korn Our dad passed away Saturday afternoon, May 21st. It has been a blessing for me to know him and enjoy him for 67 years. Dad
Stanley Korn, January 4, 1923 – May 21, 2016 Read More »
David Ogul, Obituaries & memorialsAs Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni celebrated yet another election success in late February—he has been in power for 30 years—Rabbi Gershom Sizomu and his followers in the remote eastern village of Nabugoye were celebrating their own electoral victory. The head of a tiny rural community of Ugandan Jews, known as the Abayudaya, Sizomu had made
Why Uganda Elected a Rabbi to Its Parliament Read More »
International, Jewish History
Creation’s First Light by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illustrated by Joani Rothenberg; © 2013 IBJ Book Publishing; ISBN 978-10934922-94-1; 32 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This might be subtitled “A Child’s Guide to Torah and Spirituality.” Rabbi Sasso begins with a paraphrase of God’s first command, “Let There Be Light” and subsequently explains
‘Creation’s First Light’ introduces Torah, spirituality Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Two friends, who I am sure do not know one another, have provoked this column with issues dealing with what appear to be different matters. One worries about the weakness of Liberal Judaism in Israel. Another sent me an item about “complexity science.” The topics link to one another. The “findings”
Liberal Judaism, complexity science, and Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USATerumah – Enjoying to Eat or Eating to Enjoy By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — Terumah is the first of the tithes that are taken by a farmer from his crops that are grown in Israel. The farmer separates from his produce a portion between one-sixtieth and one-fortieth and gives it to a Kohen
Weekly Torah portion: Emor Read More »
Jewish ReligionMorley Safer, a longtime reporter for CBS’ “60 Minutes,” has died, the network confirmed Thursday. Safer, 84, died at his home in Manhattan. He was the longest-serving correspondent at CBS News. Funeral arrangements are private, CBS said, adding that a memorial service will be announced at a later date. Due to declining health, he announced
Morley Safer, longtime ’60 Minutes’ correspondent, dies at 84 Read More »
Obituaries & memorialsBelgian cabinet minister and animal welfare minister Ben Weyts on Tuesday called for a complete ban on the ritual slaughter of animals. The decision will have a huge impact on the Muslim and Orthodox Jewish communities, for whom shechita (ritual slaughter) is an integral component of religious life. Weyts, who is a member of the
Belgian Minister: Time to ban ritual slaughter Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
-57th in a Series- Exit 27, Dunbar Lane, Harbison Canyon, California By Donald H. Harrison HARBISON CANYON, California – In this small community in the back country of San Diego County, the 4Ms of the Stroh family—Marty, Melissa, Mason and Max—are known for keeping the flame of Judaism burning bright inside their home, and for
I-8 Jewish Travel: Flames of love and destruction Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food