By Rebbetzin Sara Krengel GUSH ETZION, Israel — I am an Orthodox Jew because I believe in the unbroken chain of Jewish Law for the last 3300 years. I am a Chassidic Jew because I believe in serving God with joy and love. I am a Chareidi Jew because I believe in serving God with […]
I am a Jew. Plain and simple Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
The Jewish American Paradox: Embracing Choice in a Changing World by Robert H. Mnookin; © 2018; Public Affairs, Hachette Book Group; ISBN 9781610-397513; 228 pages plus 80 pages of notes, acknowledgments and index; $28 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Author Robert Mnookin, a Harvard Law professor, argues that Jewish peoplehood should have permeable boundaries.
Redefining who can become a Jew Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – By now, many people have noticed that on sale at the U.S. Post Office is this year’s Hanukkah stamp, which features a papercut version of the 9-branched menorah (one arm being the shamash) set within an ancient oil jug, such as the one that might have contained the
Israel and U.S. share Hanukkah stamp design Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The question of turkey’s status as a permitted bird is a topic that comes up every Thanksgiving holiday season. Nevertheless, many Orthodox Jews I personally know will never eat turkey since there is no tradition permitting it. Clearly, the Torah does not mention turkey at all
Historic question: Is turkey really kosher? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, The World We ShareBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – I watched the documentary There Are Jews Here more than 1 ½ years ago, and I will reprint below the review that I wrote for the April 15, 2017 edition of San Diego Jewish World. Now the documentary by Brad Lichtenstein is scheduled to air as part of
Plight of small town shuls to air Dec. 4 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Joint Hindu- Jewish celebration held for respective festivals of lights It was standing-room only for 425 Hindus and Jews who made a bit of history celebrating both Diwali and Chanukah at the Hindu-Jewish Festival of Lights at Temple Beth-El in Northbrook, IL on November 18. The event not only celebrated the two holidays, which occur
Editor’s E-Mail Box: November 20, 2018 (3 items) Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationThe New American Judaism: How Jews Practice Their Religion Today by Jack Wertheimer, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, © 2018, ISBN 978-0-691-18129-5, p. 272 plus bibliography and index, $29.95. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – American Jewry is balkanized, divided into denominations ranging from the Haredi, who scrupulously and meticulously strive to obey both the
Book review: ‘The New American Judaism’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish ReligionBy Arkady Mamaysky TARRYTOWN, New York — The word Jewish is associated with a person whose religion is Judaism. But what about individuals who are atheists but trace their ethnicity to the original Hebrew tribes? Traditionally, the following groups of people are united under the term Jewish: -descendants of the original ethnic Hebrew tribes whose religion is Judaism; -descendants
Should we Jews call ourselves ‘Hebrews’? Read More »
Arkady Mamaysky, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Reform rabbis to gather at the U.S.-Mexico border to seek protection for refugees This week, Reform rabbis from across the country will lead a pilgrimage to the U.S. border with Mexico to call attention to three ongoing crises near the border: The asylum seekers languishing on the El Paso-Juarez bridge, teenagers confined to a tent
Editor’s E-Mail Box: November 12, 2018 (3 items) Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, USABy Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel ENCINITAS, California — You’re just in time for a Chanukah treat with the release of the new CD album, “The Festival of Lights.” It blends popular Chanukah Hebrew folk songs and Jamaican reggae musical styles with singers and an eclectic group of instruments: Horns , Piano, Percussion, Guitar, Saxophone, Trumpet,
Chanukah music in reggae style Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Non-Israelis may sue in Israeli court those who harm them because they are Jews Judge Moshe Drori has ruled in Jerusalem Court that non-Israelis who are harmed because they are Jewish have the standing to sue their attackers in Israeli courts. The ruling came in a case brought by the Shurat HaDin Law Center on
Editor’s E-Mail Box: November 11, 2018 (6 items) Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Ethiopian Bible contestant’s family immigrates to Israel The family of Sintayehu Shaparou, the Ethiopian who competed in Israel’s April 2018 Chidon HaTanach (Bible quiz) contest, arrived in Israel on Tuesday, Nov. 6 – the first and only family allowed to immigrate to Israel in 2018. “I am so happy to have come to Israel,” said
Editor’s E-Mail Box: November 7, 2018 (3 items) Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — On the third Friday evening of each month, the Shir Chadash (New Song) Band leads services celebrating Shabbat at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The young mother whose alto voice provides the harmonies to the Shabbat melodies is an example of religious mobility. Just hearing that her name is “Christina
Christina de Jesus is a Jewish song leader Read More »
David Ogul, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
By Steve Kramer KFAR SAVA, Israel — Michal and I recently returned from a visit to Vienna. We had as good a time as Jews can have there. (More about that later.) Vienna is the capital of Austria, one of several Central and Eastern European countries which have established close governmental ties with Israel. In
Six days in Vienna Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Steve Kramer