Judaism

The Scroll of Antiochus, an Interesting Fiction about Hannukah

People of all religions frequently describe some things as holy and devise sacred ceremonies that involve them without realizing they are false. They do so because others thought they were holy or because of superstition or flawed reasoning. The Scroll of Antiochus is an example. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

When Chanukah Donuts Started Being Filled with Jam and Other Facts

Why do we eat jelly filled donuts on Chanukah? The easy answer has to do with agriculture, food politics and the desire for something sweet. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

The Deeper Meaning of Chanukah and its Symbols

The miracle of the oil is a foundation for why candle lighting, an act of pirsuma d’nisa (publicizing the miracle), is one of the two major commandments of Chanukah, with reciting Hallel as the other. Through lighting candles, we can display our hope, trust, and faith in Hashem and in His role in our lives. When they lit the menorah in the Temple, they did so from a belief, a hope, that the future is not preordained, that the future can truly be altered. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Rabbi Whose Family Were Conversos Now Heads a Colombian Sephardic Congregation

On a recent visit to this port city, I was among a group of four Jews who were escorted by a guide to a five-month-old Sephardic congregation (Sinagoga Sefardi) established by Rabbi Joachim Montoya, a medical doctor who had converted to Judaism after learning that he was descended from a family of Conversos. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Jewish Bones Reburied in Solemn Ceremony after Morocco Earthquake

On the 12th of December 2024, I set out with four colleagues of the High Atlas Foundation (HAF) to meet with members of the rural community of Tafza (Al Haouz province, Marrakesh region), located in the mountain range that bore the horrendous epicenter of the September 2023 earthquake. [Yossef Ben-Meir]

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International, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Yossef Ben-Meir

‘Mysteries of Judaism’ Encourages Readers’ Questioning of the Torah

One of Drazin’s central arguments is that the Bible often raises more questions than it answers. Many biblical terms and events are left undefined or unexplained, such as the meaning of “heaven” in the creation narrative or the significance of humanity being created in the “image of God.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Life and Education of the Biblical Joseph

The biblical portion Mikkets, Genesis 41:1-44:17, is fascinating. It reveals some different, more mature, and intelligent acts by Jacob’s son Joseph than the 17-year-old youngster who tormented his brothers who sold him into slavery. Still, there are some questionable, even troubling, behaviors. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Eitingon Saga: Part 1, Max Eitingon, Psychoanalyst

By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — Max Eitingon was born on June 26, 1881, in Mogilev, Russia, into the family of a fur trader who successfully continued the family business. In 1893 the Eitingon family left Russia and moved to Germany, to Leipzig, where Max’s father became one of the largest entrepreneurs, nicknamed “Leipzig Rothschild”.

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Alex Gordon, International, Israel, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

SRO Crowd at San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir Hanukkah Concert

For the December 15 Hanukkah concert at the Carmel Valley Library, the 17 members of the San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir were greeted by an overflow audience. Coming early and waiting in line, I was one of the fortunate to find a seat for this standing-room-only event, with many needing to listen from outside the hall. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Israel’s President Herzog Urges Canada’s PM Trudeau to ‘Act Decisively’ Against Antisemitism

On the heels of a firebombing of a synagogue in a Montreal suburb, a Jewish elementary school for girls – Bais Chana Mushka – in Toronto was the target for gunfire in the early hours of Friday.  Although there was damage, students were permitted to return to school at its regular time. {SDJW Staff Compilation}

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Federation San Diego Announces the Start of the Season Giving Campaign with “Hineni”

As December unfolds, the spirit of giving glows warmly around us. This is a time to embody the word hineni – “here I am” – and to bring light and safety to our community. [Jewish Federation of San Diego]

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California, Heidi Gantwerk, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors