For years, the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program has been funded one budget cycle at a time. The program began 10 years ago, and each year since Jewish California returned to Sacramento to make the case all over again. [David Bocarsly]
Red is commonly associated with courage, valor, and passion. It represents the sacrifices made by those defending freedom and evokes energy, determination, and emotional strength. (Cailin Acosta)
Symbolism of red, white and blue on the nation’s flag Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Whether it is Jewish extremists invoking rodef, Shia radicals hastening the Mahdi through chaos and terror, or any ideology that loses sight of human dignity in pursuit of “divine” goals — the pattern is the same. When people assume they fully understand God’s will and that the ends justify any means, tragedy follows. (Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel)
Parsha Pinchas: Zealotry, fanaticism, and the elusive covenant of peace Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
We stood admiring the drawing for quite a while before my teenager gave me a big hug and said she loves being Jewish and cherishes the traditions and heritage that have been passed down to her. [Cailin Acosta]
Art projects at SD County Fair imbued with Jewish symbolism Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
We all pray for peace. Peace is one of Judaism’s highest values. Yet the Torah recognizes that there are rare moments when force becomes necessary to protect innocent life. Even then, however, the goal is never revenge, conquest, or hatred. It is always protection and, ultimately, peace. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Pinchas: The power of ruach Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
At a time of rising antisemitism, political violence, and hate targeting communities across the country, this ongoing funding marks a major milestone in California’s commitment to protecting vulnerable communities,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and author of the legislation that established the NSGP. (Press Release)
State budget includes annual $80m for security of vulnerable nonprofit institutions Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Jewish Religion, Press Release, USA
Participants examined the growing security, political, and societal challenges facing Jewish life worldwide, with particular attention given to the continued rise of antisemitism, violent extremism, online radicalization, developments in AI, and relations with national governments. [Press Release]
Jewish communal executives from 50+ countries compare notes in Amsterdam Read More »
Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Press Release, Travel and Food
Kabbalah and the Holocaust: Healing a Broken Cosmos is among Rabbi Samuel’s most ambitious theological works. Instead of asking only the usual, most often heard question, “Where was God during the Holocaust?” he investigates how Jewish mystical thought attempts to understand the existence of evil without diminishing God’s justice and human responsibility. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Kabbalah and the Holocaust Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
“This year, I will get all my High Holiday sermons done by July, and then I will be able to just edit or update them closer to the date to reflect any changes in the world.” Once this plan is put into your Rabbi’s mind, they will immediately abandon it and never speak of it again, until the following May. [Joshua Kail]
How rabbis write their High Holy Days sermons Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & SatireThis evening will honor Nicole Murray-Ramirez and Pastors John and Julie Sorrentino for their work and dedication in fighting antisemitism. [Cailin Acosta]
Allies of Jewish community to receive appreciation awards Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Huckabee said the historic US-Israel relationship was built on shared Judeo-Christian values, with the U.S. Founding Fathers inspired by the Jewish People and the Ten Commandments in drafting the Declaration of Independence – and more Americans should appreciate that. (Press Release)
Huckabee cites shared values as reason for deep U.S.-Israel friendship Read More »
Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
In the summer of 1991, we sold our house and car and made Aliyah with our two young sons. Our sons struggled at first in school but by the following September they were acclimated and had many friends. They were speaking Hebrew ok by then; Michal and I still speak only simple Hebrew, but English is quite common.
We moved from our 1st-year rental in Ra’anana and bought a house in Alfe Menashe, just over the Green Line, the informal border separating Israel from Judea and Samaria – the Jewish homeland. [Steve Kramer].
Our journey from U.S. residents to Israeli citizens Read More »
Antisemitism, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food, USA
Grossman argues that sacrifices are not primitive rituals intended merely to appease God. Instead, they are symbolic acts through which worshippers express gratitude, repentance, devotion, dependence, celebration, and reconciliation. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
‘The Sacrificial Service’: Leviticus teaches valuable lessons Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Years from now, one of those familiar scents may suddenly bring a camper back to the friendships they formed, the counselor who believed in them, the joy of singing Shabbat together, and the discovery that being Jewish is not simply something you learn, it is something you live. [Betzy Lynch]
JCC Camp aromas will trigger future memories Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors