Enrique Morones, a humanitarian who has spent decades advocating for dignified and welcoming treatment for migrants, told Thursday of a woman at a Jewish congregation who expressed shock that parents would allow their minor children to cross into the United States by themselves to whatever fate might await them. [Donald H. Harrison]
Baby Moses and the Unaccompanied Migrant Minors Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, USA
Sometimes when we are hit with an immense tragedy we are left speechless. The Torah tells us that after the Jewish people had inaugurated the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, died tragically. At the height of the celebration tragedy struck. The Torah tells us that Aharon was silent (“VaYidom Aharon”), there was nothing for him to say. G-d Himself, and the Children of Israel led by Moshe, came to comfort Aharon in his profound distress. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
Tragedy Strikes on Joyous Day of Lag B’Omer Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
An Israeli national disaster occurred at the Lag B’Omer festival on Mount Meron in northern Israel on April 28 when 45 people were killed and 155 were injured when thousands people gathered in the tightly packed confines of a compound surrounding the grave of a Jewish holy man. The tragic incident demands answers for why a hundred thousand mainly Haredi Jews from Israel and abroad would make their way to this isolated site at this special time. [Barry Shaw]
Who was Shimon Bar Yochai? Read More »
Barry Shaw, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
The 437-page book A Concise Guide to Mahshava: An overview of Jewish Philosophy, is one of five new books published by Maggid Books which were authored by the recently deceased scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz who authored sixty books and hundreds of articles. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A Comprehensive Guide to Jewish Philosophy Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
This short prose increment from the ‘strangest’ prophet canonized in the Tanakh is a dull example, in contrast to the drama of much other of his writings. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Notes on Haftorah Reading for May 1, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
When we speak words of Torah, we enhance our life, and the lives of others. To do so is a choice we make. We can surely choose not to and when we select that path, we largely create acrimony in our life and in the lives of others. While the sanctity of the Kohanim is a major theme in this week’s Torah reading, we also see another key theme in the parasha, the holiness of Shabbat, of time, and of the festivals we are blessed to enjoy. It is this latter theme that caught my attention. To be holy is freeing, expansive, liberating, to help us connect with Hashem, and properly with one another. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]]
Treating everyone with compassion Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellA Concise Guide to Halakha: An Overview of Jewish Law, is one of five new books published by Maggid Books which were authored by the recently deceased scholar Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz who authored 60 books and hundreds of articles. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A New Guide to Jewish Law Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Congregation Adat Yeshurun is preparing for the historic installation of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Daniel and Brooke Reich from April 30-May 2, cementing the milestone of the synagogue’s first rabbinic transition in its 34-year history. [Jacob Kamaras]
Adat Yeshurun to Install Rabbi, Rebbetzin Reich Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
Chabad of Poway’s former head rabbi faces a maximum five-year prison sentence for tax-evasion and other financial crimes he pled guilty to last July. But sentencing of Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein won’t take place Monday — a day short of two years after he lost his right index finger in the deadly shooting attack on his congregation. [Ken Stone, Times of San Diego]
Sentencing Delayed for former Chabad Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein Read More »
Jewish Religion, Ken Stone, San Diego County
NETANYA, Israel — In the April 25, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–Over 80% of Israeli adults have now been vaccinated against Covid-19.
–Israeli optical breakthrough allows for early detection of skin cancer.
–Israel marks Earth Day with national clean-up and new sustainability center.
–New Israeli-developed microchips are the fastest ever.
–Israel signs hi-tech agreement with one of the world’s largest carmakers.
–Discovery in Israel of the oldest example of alphabetic writing. [Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (April 25, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Emuna is the Hebrew word for faith, and in his newest book, 13 Principles of Emuna, Rabbi Lazer Brody passionately reexamines Maimonides thirteen assertions, ranging from the fervent belief in one God to acknowledging the future resurrection of the dead and the coming of the Messiah, through a traditional orthodox-Jewish frame of reference. [Fred Reiss, Ed.D]
Author Adopts Maimonides’ Principles as True Judaism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionThis short, entirely poetic message is from the writings of Amos, one of the 12 ‘minor’ prophets. He was from the Southern Kingdom of Judah, but his preaching (760-755 BCE) was against the Northern Kingdom of Israel, notably its cities of Samaria and Bethel. This was during the reign of Jeroboam II (788-747 BCE), a time of foreign conquests, thus internal peace and prosperity in the North. [1] Amos’ preaching coincided with the reign in the Southern Kingdom of King Uzziah (785-733 BCE), considered one of the ‘good and righteous kings.’ [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah Reading for April 24, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish ReligionThis week’s double Torah portion, Acharei and Kedoshim, springs off the scroll with applicability to the pandemic of our times, COVID, or if you prefer, kaf, bet, dalet, KOVOD. The English letters, K, V, D, form the root of the word Kavod. What’s dignity, respect or honor have to do with these parshiot? Plenty. Kavod, ,כָּבוֹד KVD, a word of strength and importance, refers to “glory,” “respect,” “majesty,” and “honor.” Other uses of kavod can refer to wealth (Gen. 31:1, the first use of kavod in the Bible), reputation (Gen. 45:13), the quantity of something, or splendor, all of which may be summed up in the word “dignity.” Another very important application is found in the fifth commandment, commanding us to “honor” (kavod in verb form) our fathers and mothers. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Extending Kavod to Others Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
When my father had back surgery, he shopped around to nearly every top orthopedic surgeon in L.A. until he found one willing to cut into his ailing eighty-five-year-old frame and repair three levels of his lumbar vertebrae. We were overjoyed to see him recover from the spine operation but soon thereafter he needed a knee replacement. Oy vey! For all his health issues, he still maintains his Dodger and Laker season tickets, trades on the stock market and teaches a monthly Jewish history class. But his pleasure in life is sharply curtailed in what seems to be a cruel downward spiral of Job-like proportions. [Sam Glaser]
Caring for Aging Parents and Beyond Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sam Glaser