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 who set into motion this sequence of events. Yosef had maneuvered his brothers into a position that would allow him to attain his ultimate revenge. He was a […]
Weekly Torah portion: VaYigash Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — Pharaoh had a dream in which he saw seven healthy cows come out of the Nile river and stand on the banks of the river. Seven scrawny cows followed and stood with them. At this point of his dream, the scrawny cows ate the healthy cows. Pharaoh continued
Weekly Torah portion: Mekeitz Read More »
Jewish ReligionThe Person in the Parasha: Discovering the Human Element in the Weekly Torah Portion by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU Press, Maggid Books, Jerusalem, © 2016, ISBN 978-1-59264-462-9, p. 624, $29.95 by Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Even a cursory look at the catalogue of Jewish book publishers shows a great propensity for
The human element in the Torah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionVideo of rabbis and kaffiyeh-clad Muslims dancing to Hasidic songs in Arab monarchy goes viral By Times of Israel staff The small Muslim monarchy of Bahrain hosted a ceremony to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, and the resulting video of kaffiyeh-wearing sheikhs dancing with Orthodox Jews to Hasidic music has been going viral on
King of Bahrain hosts menorah-lighting ceremony Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — It’s often said that Christmas music far surpasses the quality of Chanukkah music, thanks to the many Jewish composers who wrote such beautiful songs as White Christmas (Irving Berlin), The Christmas Song/Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (Mel Tormé and Robert Wells), and I’ll Be Home For
Jewish trivia quiz: Jewish Christmas songs Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the time to wish his “Christian brothers and sisters” a merry Christmas in a video posted to Facebook on Thursday. He addressed Christians from the courtyard of Jerusalem’s International Christian Embassy and expressed a bond between Christianity and Judaism through a “shared heritage.” “It moves us deeply to have
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Wishes Christians a Merry Christmas Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO−This year Hanukkah and Christmas conveniently coincide, but Donald Trump worries about the next four years when he knows wishing Ivanka Merry Christmas may offend her husband Jared. Consequently, he has tasked Jared, who is so Jewish and smart he will negotiate peace between Israel and the Palestinians, to create a
Humoring the Headlines: December 24, 2016 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — With the first night of Chanukah approaching this Dec. 24th, memories of past San Diego Chanukahs are being revived. For example, in Old Town San Diego Historic State Park–where the City of San Diego began–the Robinson-Rose house displays in its window a hannukiah and a Star of David,
Photos tell of Chanukah’s approach in San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Shor M. MasoriBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In Parashat Va-yeshev, Joseph’s jealous brothers throw him in a pit. From there he is carried off to Egypt. He works for Potiphar and all goes well until he refuses the advances of Mrs. Potiphar. Joseph is thrown in jail and interprets the dreams of the royal baker
From Joseph’s story we learn when God is with us Read More »
Jewish ReligionHow Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife By Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — Possibly no one in history has endured the brutal emotional rollercoaster and harsh physical adversities which Yosef experienced. At a young age, he lost the love and tender care of his beloved mother. He was misunderstood and scorned by most of his brothers
Weekly Torah portion: VaYeishev Read More »
Jewish ReligionWorshipers at grave of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav in Uman tear gassed by assailants described as neo-Nazis, fake blood and pig’s head left at site By Stuart Winer Jewish worshipers in Ukraine were tear gassed and the grave of Hasidic Rabbi Nachman of Bratlsav was smeared with fake blood and a pigs head in a
Jewish pilgrims attacked at Ukraine tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionNine people returned from Islam to Judaism recently with the help of Yad Le’Achim activists. Five women and four children were smuggled out of Arab villages. After a team of social workers affiliated with the organization had prepared the mothers for their return to the Jewish fold and a team of counselors had been assigned
9 Islamic converts return to their Jewish faith Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastMy grandparents, immigrants from Poland and Romania, were Orthodox Jews and deeply observant. My parents, born here, joined a Conservative shul (mixed seating), and kept a traditionally Jewish home. My husband and I joined a Reconstructionist synagogue (liturgically traditional, theologically agnostic, anchored in Jewish “peoplehood”), and mainly express ourselves Jewishly through community volunteerism and Zionism.
Across North America, seeds of a religious rebound Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – For parents and mostly elementary school-aged children, Chanukah seemed to “roll” in early when Jewish Big Pals and the Supporting Jewish Single Parents (SJSP) organization celebrated together at Skateworld on Sunday morning, Dec. 18. Many participants skated, staggered, stumbled and recovered in the 160 by 60 foot rink,
Parents, Big Pals, kids skate, celebrate Chanukah early Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County