By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM– Both Chief Rabbis are in the news, doing their part to soothe or disturb in different corners of the complex phenomenon that is Judaism. The Sephardi Chief Rabbi has weighed in on the issue of the Temple Mount, and has aroused the ire of Naftali Bennett, head of what considers itself […]
Many options for people dealing with Israel’s rabbinate Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East
Gracie’s Night: A Hanukkah Story by Lynn Taylor Gordon, Illustrated by Laura Brown, © 2013 Cookie & Nudge Books, , ISBN 978-0-9857353-2-6, 30 pages, $8.95 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—In this beautifully illustrated story, Gracie lives in New York City with her father, who is a hard-working bus driver, and their dog, cat and
Children’s Literature review: ‘Gracie’s Night’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — There is a well-known Chassidic story about a man who treated an unkempt fellow traveler at an inn dismissively and disdainfully. They ended up traveling together to the next city. When they came to the next city the unkempt fellow was greeted with honor and affection by the
Abraham and Lot: Who truly welcomed strangers? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Arnon Groiss JERUSALEM (IRNA) — On the 11th of Heshvan, which in 2014 fell on November 4, Jews observe the “yaarzeit” memorial for Rachel, the Biblical matriarch who bore Joseph and died in child birth as Benjamin was born. As part of our agency’s continuing reportage of the PA school books now used in the
P.A. redefines Rachel’s Tomb in textbooks Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
MUNICH, Germany (WJC)–German police have a possible lead on who was behind the theft of the ‘Arbeit macht frei’ (Work sets you free) sign from the former Nazi concentration camp at Dachau, near Munich, over the weekend. The entrance door containing the slogan was stolen under cover of darkness from the memorial site at Dachau
‘Arbeit macht frei’ sign at Dachau stolen Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Jewish wars. Not really wars, but a continuation of disputes going back at least to the time of Ezra. Jews have been quarreling about who is a Jew since then, and over the centuries have added numerous other squabbles. It all amounts to disputes among people who have been literate
Conversion battles date back at least to Ezra Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — This past Friday night, we rejoiced when we heard the news about Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who was finally released from having spent 214 days in a horrible Mexican prison. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this story, Tahmooressi was arrested on March 31 after
Obama failed in his duty to redeem the captive Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USAAdon Olam: A Search for Meaning by Rabbi Zalman Weiss, Menorah Books, Jerusalem; ISBN 9978-1-940516-12-7 ©2014, $24.95, p. 350, plus glossary. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Ezra the Scribe, in 458 BCE, led a group of about eighteen hundred Jewish men together with their wives and children from the Babylon Captivity to their new home in
Adon Olam is catchy but do you know what it means? Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Avraham was a model of chesed (kindness) and rachamim (mercy). His tent had a door on each side so that he could invite geusts wherever they might come from. These beautiful traits have been hallmarks of the Jewish people, handed down from generation to generation ever since, as
Paying attention to the homeless Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
Photos and story by Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—The sanctuary and social hall of Temple Emanu-El were transformed into an exhibit hall for 55 local artisans, with many of them exhibiting Judaica in various media on Sunday, Nov. 2. I went around to the booths and asked artists offering Judaica for sale why Jewish objects and designs
Artisans Festival brings out love for Judaica Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
By Caren Ford and Donald H. Harrison WESTLAKE VILLAGE, California—Radio commentator and print media columnist Dennis Prager says Israel is isolated in world opinion because it is the “Jewish state.” Prager, in an evening address Thursday, Oct. 30, sponsored by the Conejo Jewish Academy, offered four reasons why Jews and the Jewish state are
Prager offers 4 explanations for Jew- hatred Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Tzvi Zucker JERUSALEM (Tazpit)–After much political backroom dealing, a highly controversial conversion bill will be enacted by Cabinet decision, instead of becoming law through Knesset vote. MK Elazar Stern (Hatnuah) had proposed a bill to the Knesset that would completely change how conversions were processed in Israel. Among the changes were the kind of
Who converts, who sells newspapers roil Knesset Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)–U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement concerning the aftermath to the shooting of Temple Mount advocate Rabbi Yehudah Glick by a Palestinian terrorist on Wednesday, Oct. 29: “I strongly condemn yesterday’s shooting of a U.S. citizen outside the Menachem Begin Heritage Center in Jerusalem. My thoughts and prayers are
Kerry wants religious status quo at Temple Mount Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
CARLSBAD, California (Press Release) — The Jewish Collaborative of San Diego (JCoSD) has dedicated its offices and temporary sanctuary at 5297 Balfour Ct, Suite 203, with a ceremony affixing the mezuzot on outdoor and inside doorways. Led by Rabbi Josh Burrows and Rabbi/ Cantor Gabi Arad , husband and wife, the new congregation forms chavurot
JCoSD dedicates its offices in Carlsbad Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA