In Abraham ibn Ezra’s masterpiece, the twelve chapters of “Sefer Yesod Mora Ve-Sod Ha-Torah,” Treatise on the Foundation of Awe and The Secret of the Torah, ibn Ezra gave some of his explanations of the biblical commandments. He felt that each command, without exception was rational. The following are some of his other ideas. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Abraham ibn Ezra on Biblical Laws Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Hanukkah is coming! Here is a wonderful entertainment opportunity for kids ages 6-12 that incorporates the Hanukkah story into a fun mystery they can solve at home. Becky Cherlin Baird is the founding Artistic Director for the J’Company Youth Theatre at the Lawrence Family JCC. She is the proud owner of Kids on Stage Productions and has worked in a variety of Broadway productions, including Fiddler on the Roof. [Marcia Berneger]
Kids Team as Hanukkah Detectives in this Internet Production Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
With illustrations accurately depicting life as it was in the 1880s, this is the tale of Nate, a king-size, gentle spirit who loves helping people. His magic can stretch a small lump of chocolate big enough for an entire family or a small jar of oil long enough to last eight days. He takes a special liking to the Glaser family as they journey from Europe in the late 1870s and follows them as they work side by side with their neighbors, the O’Malleys in their new American life. [Marcia Bernegere]
Two Jewish tales to read to your youngsters Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Fiction, Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Adam and Eve were very special souls, created from the earth by the ‘hands’ of the Almighty. They were infused with the Divine Spirit as, ‘G-d blew into his nostrils a living soul,’ and from Adam fashioned Eve. G-d created the first humans in His ‘image,’ which means they were endowed with a G-dly spark to serve as their soul and the great gift of free choice. It is only by virtue of the fact that we have free choice that we are able to refine and uplift the world in a way that nothing else can. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: A New Beginning, Again Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
By Marcia Berneger SAN DIEGO — The first book of the Torah begins with the Creation story. This story is read during Simchat Torah, the holiday celebrated last week that marks reading the end of the last book of the Torah and immediately starting over. (See last week’s description of the Creation story.) This week’s
Torah for Children: We Begin Again Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Compiled by Laurie Baron, Ph.D SAN DIEGO — All times are Pacific Daylight Time. Sunday, October 18 8 am Luca Ascoli, “The Jews of Italy,” Sephardic World. 8 am Yevilah McCoy, “Keynote Address,” Jewish Coalition for Racial Equity Virtual Conference. 8 am Moshe Halbertal and Jonathan Sacks, “Strange New World- Conversations in Times of Crisis- Religious
Streaming Jewish programs (Oct. 18-23) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
By Irv Jacobs, MD LA JOLLA, California — This essay covers creation stories; rivers in the Eden and pagan stories; and snakes and serpents in mythology. Genesis 1:1-6:8 The creation stories, and Genesis in general, offer a different focus in my year-long project, because they are more legendary than historical in flavor. I have
Bereishis and Ancient Creation Stories Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida –One of the most brilliant ancient Jewish thinkers was Abraham ibn Ezra (1089 or 1092-1164). Being human, he, like all other people including the best of humans, without exception, made mistakes in his thinking, such as his belief that astrology is a true science. But overall. He
The Brilliant Ideas of Abraham ibn Ezra Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — Right-wing thugs plotted to kidnap Michigan’s governor while New York authorities walked a tightrope to contain the Covid-19 virus amid Orthodox Jewish protests that escalated to violence. President Trump’s role: He encouraged the revolting antics (conveniently, two meanings in one) of militias and even suggested that New York
Trump and the Rise of U.S. Violence Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Jewish Religion, USA
UPDATE: March 14, 2026 — Nichole Martinez Kruse reports that she has closed the Welcome Home Sefardi business and therefore is no longer offering to facilitate for a fee citizenship applications for Portugal and Spain. — Editor, San Diego Jewish World. By Nichole Martinez Kruse ZARAGOSA, Spain — Throughout my life, I was drawn to
Former San Diegan aids Sephardim seeking Spanish citizenship Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County
By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — There are times in life where people hold themselves back. Afraid of failure, some stop themselves from even trying. Others are not so much fearful but simply lack confidence and motivation. This could be with regards to any goal in life from getting a job to making a new
Self-Sabotage: Learning from King David Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Teresa_Konopka
Parasha Bereishis By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — As we learn from “The Parsha Song” from Torah Island by Suki and Ding, “With Bereishis we begin learning Torah, How precious we hold our Mesorah, Bereishis, Noach, Lech Lecha, Vayeira, Chayei Sarah, Sarah lived for 127 years…” And on we go. Yes, new beginnings
With Bereishis We Begin Learning Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Sephardic Rabbi Yonatan Halevy of Kehillat Shaar Hashamayin (Community of the Gates of Heaven) has told police that he was attacked by teenagers during the Sukkot holiday last Saturday as he walked with his father Shalom Halevy, a stroke victim, near his congregation at 3232 Governor Drive, Suite
Sephardic rabbi says youths attacked him Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — On the Jewish festival holidays, and additionally in some communities on Shabbat, the Birkat Kohanim–the Priestly Blessing–is traditionally offered as part of the Musaf service, the additional service that follows the Torah reading. But on Simchat Torah, which we just celebrated, the Birkat Kohanim is traditionally offered
Jewish trivia quiz: Birkat Kohanim Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman