By Toby Klein Greenwald EFRAT, Israel — More than twelve years ago, a friend of mine, Myra Gutterman, came to me with a creative new idea. She had decided to record and transcribe the experiences of balaniot (mikva attendants) and of women who use the mikva (ritual bath), to be performed as a show […]
Playwright tells story behind ‘Mikva’ Musical Read More »
Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Toby Klein Greenwald
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — Ben Gurion Airport closed at 1 p.m today and won’t reopen until three hours after the end of Yom Kippur tomorrow night. Public transportation all over Israel grinds to a halt by 2:30 p.m. In the streets later in the day, men hurry along with towels to the nearest mikveh
The sights of Yom Kippur in Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
SAN DIEGO (SDJW)– For many youngsters the bar/bat mitzvah age is 13. However, for Ruth Goldschmiedova Sax, that was not possible. She was 13 when she was forcibly taken to a concentration camp by the Nazis. She would survive that one and two others before the Holocaust was over. On Saturday, at age 90, Sax
Survivor, on her bat mitzvah, offers 13 tips for life Read More »
Jewish Religion, USAClick here to hear Cantor Merel’s chanting of Kol Nidre By Cantor Sheldon Merel SAN DIEGO — On the evening of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day of the Jewish year, Jews around the world gather in their synagogues to hear the chanting of Kol Nidre (all vows) The ark is opened at the beginning
Kol Nidre is not a prayer Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionAnne Frank Center releases open letter to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg “We understand it’s not easy keeping 2 billion members happy, much less shouldering the weight for all the nasty things they might say to one another. We genuinely appreciate all the good social media can accomplish: the personal connections, the charity drives, the human compassion,
Editor’s E-Mail Box: September 12, 2018 (4 items) Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — The recitation of the Unetaneh Tokef prayer is one of the central liturgical moments of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services. The prayer speaks to one of the major themes of the holidays–“Who shall live and who shall die. Who shall perish by water and who by fire. Who shall
Jewish trivia quiz: Unetaneh Tokef Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — The good news – according to a poll published in Ha’aretz on the Eve of Rosh Hashanah – is that 54% of all Israelis believe in God and another 21% believe that we’re governed by a Higher Power. The bad news is that, as a result, 37% don’t believe
How religious are Israeli Jews? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastComing Home: Living in the Land of Israel in Jewish Tradition and Thought by Rabbi Dov Lipman, Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem, © 2018, ISBN 978-9652299369, p. 141, $14.95. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Dov Lipman, author of Coming Home, has selected a propitious time for publishing a book about the historical and emotional ties
Israel in global Jewish tradition and thought Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionBy Stanley Tiger SAN DIEGO — The following is a touching story about two great minds – one, a Jewish atheist respectfully confronting a religious Jew. Their reflections are in keeping with the solemnity of Rosh Hashana. The old friends and collaborators unexpectedly met while in Washington, D.C.. Nobel physicist, Richard Feynman (1918 – 1988)
Science v. Religion, a.k.a Feynman v. Wouk Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education
All-Of-A-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky; Schartz & Wade Random House Children’s Books; © 2018, ISBN 9780399-554193, 40 pages, $17.99. Publication date: September 11, 2018 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – My mother Alice was born in 1912, the same year in which is set this timeless Chanukah story
Timeless Chanukah story set in 1912 New York City Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Donald H. Harrison CHULA VISTA, California – The 1st Century Jewish philosopher and religious scholar, Philo, was very familiar with the Torah, commenting here and there on different portions of the Five Books of Moses in writings that were spread over approximately 40 publications in the native Greek language that he spoke in his
Rabbi Samuel introduces Philo to the modern world Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East
Editor’s Note: The following is excerpted from a farewell column written by Debra DeLee, the longtime president of Americans for Peace Now, upon her retirement. By Debra DeLee NEW YORK — … The targets of my rage are those who know right from wrong, yet have chosen wrong for personal or political expedience. My rage
APN leader rages at those who ignore their hearts Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA
Princeton Lyman, who helped organize airlift of Ethiopian Jews, is mourned Arthur Stark, Chairman and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations issued the following statement: The Conference of Presidents on Tuesday expressed its deep regret on the passing of the Hon. Princeton Lyman, who, as Deputy
Editor’s E-Mail Box: August 28, 2018 (5 items) Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAA Binational Celebration of Sukkot in San Diego SAN DIEGO (Press Release) –A binational celebration commemorating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot at Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 26, complete with mariachi music, a gourmet Mexican meal and more. The event, sponsored by Tifereth Israel Sisterhood, is open to all;
Binational Sukkot fete planned Sept. 26 at Tifereth Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego Calendar