By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — One of the obsessions of ultra-orthodox (Haredi) men is not to be close to women. Even proximity to mothers, wives and daughters is at times restricted. Though public transport in Israel doesn’t allow segregation, some private buses used by Haredim put the women at the back. There’re many reported […]
Haredim slowly changing Israeli society Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Here’s yet another finding in the ancient question about how to live longer. Attend synagogue regularly. That’s it. Simple isn’t it? Now before you assume the study backing up this recommendation was funded by a religious organization, think again. After all, this isn’t some medical study backed
Link found between longevity and shul attendance Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Travel and Food
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations hosted an historic event at the Museum of Jewish Heritage recognizing and commemorating the acts of Muslims who welcomed, hosted and protected Jews during the Holocaust. His Excellency, Dr. Mohammad Ibn Abdulkarim Alissa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League headquartered
Muslim World League: ‘True Islam’ opposed Holocaust Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
NEW YORK (Press Release) — The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America – the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization – has joined with other religious organizations in filing a ‘friend of the court’ brief that defends a longstanding tax exemption for housing costs for rabbis, pastors, and other clergy in the face of a lower court ruling finding the allowance unconstitutional. The legal brief, authored by law professor
Orthodox Union joins suit to protect parsonages Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release) –The Jewish Religious Equality Coalition (J-REC), a wall-to-wall coalition of Modern Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, and Reconstructionist communal leaders and organizations, strongly opposes the proposed conversion bill currently under consideration by the Israeli government. J-REC has long believed that the unofficial monopoly enjoyed by the Chief Rabbinate on matters of personal status,
JREC opposes proposed Israeli law on conversion Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Beth Israel’s Men’s Club will host Rabbi Jeremy Gimbel as guest speaker at its May 16 Dinner Forum, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the temple at 9001 Towne Center Drive. Rabbi Gimbel will discuss “How to Translate Torah to the Next Generation.” This program is open to the entire San Diego Community,
Rabbi Gimbel to discuss Torah for the next generation Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego CalendarBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Someone once said that a well-adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without making him/herself nervous. What’s the secret? Mental health experts claim it’s resilience. Personal elasticity if you will. Flexibility of the psyche, a springy attitude, a pliable outlook. Whatever you call it,
The Resilience Antidote Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Come April 27, Disobedience will open in movie theaters across the country. I think a better title might be Restraint. It is the story of Ronit, the daughter of an Orthodox rabbi, banished from her British community because she was discovered having a lesbian affair with a neighbor
Lesbian vs. frum choice in new movie Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Although I needed to park far up the street because the Tifereth Israel parking lot was full, I was happy to see an overflowing house attending the second of two concerts by TICO (Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra) in conjunction with the East County Mormon Chorale. The program, which opened
Interfaith sacred music a hit at TICO concert Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
© Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — Kippot are among the dozen or so things I have mindlessly acquired over the years. Orthodox Jews cover their heads in public and in worship as a sign of humility before God. Conservative Jews and increasingly Reform Jews cover their heads in synagogues and temples. We acquire skullcaps,
Keeping the kippot Read More »
Jewish Religion, Oliver Pollak
Beyond the Instant by Rabbi Mark Wildes; Skyhorse Publishing © 2018; 141 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – I read this book with great enthusiasm, possibly because I agreed with almost everything Rabbi Mark Wildes writes about such subjects as happiness, love, sex, success, blaming, taking charge of one’s life, understanding one’s place
A Jewish guidebook for life’s big questions Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 24:17, “Though a righteous person may fall seven times, he will arise.” In more contemporary words, “Winners are not people who never fail, but people who never quit.” Does this mean that when you fall you just get up again and keep going?
Psychology and benefits of prayer Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – Rabbi Dr. Meir Soloveichik, Orthodox rabbi and spiritual leader of the oldest Jewish congregation in the U.S., is the 2018 Canterbury Medalist for his public defense of religious liberty for people of all faiths. The Canterbury Medal, Becket’s highest honor, recognizes an individual who has demonstrated courage and commitment to
Medal for Shearith Israel rabbi Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — A world premiere will be featured at Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra’s concerts Saturday evening, April 7, 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 10, 7:30 p.m. at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. Unetane Tokef by composer John Michael Luther, will feature the East County Mormon Chorale and shofar soloist, Steven Ovitsky. Ovitsky, who recorded Hugo Weisgall’s
World premiere of ‘Unetane Tokef’ April 7, 10 Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts