By Eitan Arom/JNS.org NEW YORK — Conservative Judaism has always had something akin to middle-child syndrome: squeezed on both sides by the Orthodox and Reform movements. But lately, its identity crisis has become acute. This week, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ)—an umbrella body that represents Conservative congregations across North America—is set to receive […]
The remaking of Cons. Judaism Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Rabbi Jeffrey Lipschultz ROCK ISLAND, Illinois — One of the tough rituals I have done for the last twelve years is to go to Phoenix to visit my brother’s grave every January 3rd, the day he died in his tragic accident. This year, right before heading to the airport on January 3rd, I stopped by again
Speaking for your brother Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When Moses did approach Pharaoh he was not alone. His brother, Aaron, accompanied him. The Torah tells us that Moses had a speech impediment and did not believe himself sufficiently articulate to convince Pharaoh without some assistance. Several excellent questions were raised by the disciples of Rabbi Shmuel Mohliver:
When the two messiahs come! Read More »
Jewish ReligionVaerah – Obstacle or Opportunity? You Decide! By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — When Moshe originally spoke to the Jewish people about G-d’s plan to redeem them, Moshe performed the signs G-d had given him, people, upon witnessing the signs, were convinced that G-d had, indeed, sent Moshe to redeem them. They enthusiastically bowed
Weekly Torah portion: Vaerah Read More »
Jewish Religion
-38th in a series– Exit 11, 70th Street, San Diego ~ Former Congregation Beth Tefilah By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Today the structure at 69th and Mohawk Streets houses the Skyline Fellowship Korean Church but when it was constructed in 1971 it was the home of Congregation Beth Tefilah (House of Prayer), a Conservative
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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and FoodI Don’t Know What to Believe: Making Spiritual Peace With Your Religion by Rabbi Ben Kamin; Central Recovery Press, © 2016; ISBN 878-1-942094-04-3; 224 pages; $16.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Rabbi Kamin’s columns appear regularly on San Diego Jewish World. In fairness to those reading this review, it should be noted that we
Take from Bible what’s best, leave the rest Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionSpiritual needs should take precedence over physical needs By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — Moshe is one of the most selfless leaders to ever guide a nation. As a young man being raised in the palace of Pharaoh surrounded by luxury and the choicest material pleasures the world had to offer, Moshe would daily
Weekly Torah portion: Shemot Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The video of religious Jews dancing in ecstasy over the killing of Arabs provokes another note about religion, and Jews’ contribution to the complexity. Some would say the beauty of faith in ideas beyond us. Others would say the mess. What follows might be arcane for some, and not appear
Bible did not define Jewish land borders Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle EastOCEANSIDE, California — This world could have lived without 2015. It would be so much easier to cope with things if God simply intervened and cleaned up all the messes. No more global warming. The extinction of racial intolerance. No more human trafficking. The elimination of jihadist terror. A world of kind intentions. As one of
Miracles? They’re what we do to make world better Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — After a deeply spiritual life Yaakov is now ready to charge and bless the next generation as they prepare to carry on the mission of teaching the world the greatness of G-d. The angelic glory which emanated from Yaakov must have surely generated an awe-inspiring atmosphere in the
Weekly Torah portion: Vayechi Read More »
Jewish Religion
Scattered Among the Nations by Bryan Schwartz, Joy Sand and Sandy Carter; Weldon Owen publisher, Visual Anthropology Press, 251 pages, cover price $60. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –I’m going to rearrange the sequence of Bryan Schwartz’s narrative and photography book so that we can always travel toward the east, almost around the world,
Yes, Rebecca, Jews live there too! Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
By Dan Bloom CHIAYI CITY, Taiwan — For a creative and innovative Jewish man from the Boston area, Hannukah was always a great holiday — but with just one thing missing. That thing turned out to be “The Mensch on a Bench” and he created it. Meet Neal Hoffman, the 30-something interfaith dreamer with a
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Jewish Religion, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
Whats Your Problem? What is A Problem? By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — After decades of unfathomable hardships and a multitude of betrayals, broken dreams, and dashed hopes, Yosef now faces the perpetrators of these acts. Yosef had maneuvered his brothers into a position that would allow him to attain his ultimate revenge. He
Weekly Torah portion: Vayigash Read More »
Jewish Religion
-35th in a series- Exit 11, Lake Murray Blvd, San Diego ~ Lake Murray By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO– In 1916, engineer James Murray came to San Diego from Montana to build a bigger reservoir than the one that had been created in 1895 when a small earthen dam had been constructed on a
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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food