Jewish Religion

San Diego Dems cancel anti-Semitism debate

The chairman of the San Diego County Democratic Party, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, doesn’t want the debate over anti-Semitism in the party’s ranks to be held until after the Nov. 3 election, if ever. On Sept. 10, Rodriguez-Kennedy sent a message to the county party’s central committee explaining his reason for wanting a delay. [Donald H. Harrison, Our Shtetl San Diego County]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Obscure Biblical Statements Explained

Rabbi David Fohrman published a book called Genesis: A Parsha Companion. In his book, he points out obscure and questionable matters in each of the twelve portions in Genesis and offers his view of what the lesson is that underlies the verse or event. The interpretations are usually based on his own ideas or ancient Midrashim and classical Bible commentaries such as Rashi and Nachmanides which he accepts as capturing the true intent of the Torah. Whether a reader agrees with his interpretation or not, the identification of obscure items and his interpretations and discussions about them make us think. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

With theaters dark, all the world must now be a stage

Growing up, Judaism always took center stage, but when I moved to Pittsburgh to study directing at the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University, suddenly theater was in the spotlight. For the first couple of years, it felt like I had to give up practicing Judaism in order to pursue theater full time. Choosing rehearsals over Shabbat or having to miss High Holiday services for class felt like I had opted to practice the religion of theater over Judaism. [Adira Rosen]

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Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Wishes for the New Year

In a short while, we will be wishing one another Shanah Tova (have a good year), the Hebrew equivalent of Happy New Year. But the beginning of the Hebrew year is not only a time of joy. First and foremost, it is a time of reflection. This year, it seems especially pertinent to reflect on where we are, where we are going, and what we can do to make this year, and the years to follow, safer, happier, and better for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for all of humanity. [Michael Laitman, Ph.D]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Israel-Bahrain peacemaking draws applause

On a day that the world mourns the 2001 terror attack that felled the World Trade Center in New York City, damaged the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and took the lives of passengers aboard four hijacked airliners, there was some hopeful news as well. Peace in the Middle East is becoming contagious. Encouraged by the United States government, Bahrain and Israel have announced that they — like Israel and the United Arab Emirates previously — will sign a peace pact. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food

A Word of Torah: Secular vs. Spiritual Success

Those who are viewed as the top of the heap are not necessarily so in the World of Truth. A person may engage in manual, even menial labor in this world. He may be very poor. But because one is poor in material wealth does not mean that he is poor in spiritual wealth. In fact, this world is upside down. In this crass material world our values are confused. We hold as precious things that are not precious and we, G-d forbid, undervalue or neglect to value altogether those things that truly are precious. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Torah for children: Correcting bad behavior

This week’s Parshah is Nitzavim. That means “you stand” as in “you stand before God.” It begins as many of the Parashot in this part of the Torah, with warnings from God about what will happen if the people turn away and break their agreement with God. But, in this Parashah, there is almost the assumption that, once Moses dies, many people will, indeed, start breaking the laws. [Marcia Berneger]

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Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Biblical and ancient ‘chemistry’ and spirituality

Nitzavim/ Va-Yelekh (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30) — From this double parasha, I chose three passages for comparison, from the internet, with ancient Israel’s neighbors. These were difficult passages on which to inquire of the internet, since they are literary figures of speech more than concepts of action. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East

A time of return to good spiritual health

he parashiyot of Nitzavim–Vayelech are often read on the Shabbat preceding Rosh Hashanah. For good reason. Especially this year with synagogues closed, shortened services, reduced attendance, Zoom classes, with a never far off apprehension about health for those who do attend religious gatherings, many have wandered from observance, from Hashem, from mitzvot.  [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Becoming a Yenta

As spring turned to summer, more Jewish activities began to emerge. It was almost as if the collective Hebrew community was dipping its toe in the water of social gatherings. Outdoors and with everyone at least six feet apart, I attended shul for the first time in months. In the midst of the swaying and chanting that so often accompanied davening, I felt some sense of normalcy return. While there was no kiddush after services, some people lingered around to chit chat. [Teresa Konopka]

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Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Teresa_Konopka