By Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — The motto on a bumper sticker in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn — “Stamp Out Lashon Hara” — seemed like a wonderful idea. Curbing our “evil tongue” — ridding ourselves of the inclination, if not the desire, to gossip about, slander, defame, disparage, ridicule, belittle or simply embarrass another person — was and is certainly a […]
Real challenge: Eliminate lashon hara Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, USA
NEW YORK (Press Release)–Rabbi Irving Elson, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and as a Navy captain the highest-ranking Jewish chaplain in the U.S. military when he retired in September, has become the new director of JWB Jewish Chaplains Council. The nearly 100-year-old organization is the only agency that endorses Jewish chaplains
Elson takes helm at JWB Jewish Chaplains Council Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — A couple of weeks ago, a member of our congregation reported an extremely unpleasant incident at the La Mesa Costco. He wears a kippah and tzitzit in public which makes him an easily identified Jew. One of the shoppers accosted him and began making anti-Semitic comments, specifically accusing him of
Hate crimes affect us all Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USAThe annual meeting between the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Vatican ended Wednesday. This year’s meeting was focused on efforts to achieve peace in light of the rising amount of violence committed in the name of religion. The statement of the ‘Joint Commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s Delegation for Relations with the
Chief Rabbinate and Vatican: reverse UNESCO decision Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle EastJERUSALEM (Press Release) — A new report by the Jewish People Policy Institute “Exploring the Jewish Spectrum in a Time of Fluid Identity” analyzes the changing Jewish community and sets forth concerted recommendations which can serve as points of departure for leadership deliberation. Recommendations include that Jewish communal groups work to strengthen the sense of “Jewish Peoplehood” among individuals from mixed Jewish/non-Jewish
JPPI urges fluid definition for Jewish identity Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAFrom artists to newspapermen, the early Jewish community on the Caribbean island set many precedents — before being decimated by assimilation, immigration and intermarriage By Julie Masis KINGSTON, Jamaica — “Is this the way to the Jewish church?” a Jamaican driver yells out of the window of his car. “Yes, just keep going straight,” someone
Remnants of Jamaica’s Jews hold a heritage full of firsts Read More »
Jewish Religion, Travel and Food[video:2021488] The Chabad-Lubavitch hasidic movement opened its annual emissaries’ conference in New York this weekend. Close to 4,000 Chabad emissaries are participating in the conference, during which they will discuss a range of issues affecting Jewish life around the world. The Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters published data on the initiative began by the Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel
Watch: The annual group photo of Chabad emissaries Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionWithin the context of the fires currently raging around Israel, Chief Rabbi of Tzfat Shmuel Eliyahu was asked how one should behave, according to Jewish law, should one encounter an Arab starting a fire on Shabbat – or any other day of the week. Jewish law forbids Jews from extinguishing fires on Shabbat – unless
‘It is a mitzvah to break Shabbat to stop an arsonist’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastJewish composer and singer Ben Zion Shenker passed away Sunday morning at the age of 92. Shenker, one of the most prominent Jewish musical figures of the past century, was known for preserving the Modzitzer musical tradition. He composed hundreds of songs during his career, some of which are sung by Jews every Sabbath, such
Famed Jewish composer Ben Zion Shenker passes away Read More »
Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — One of the things I love about Judaism is our ability to question and argue. Although Judaism does demand that we accept much on faith, we are never forbidden to question why things are the way they are, and to challenge God, and even express our unhappiness about
When Jews argue with God, they become obligated Read More »
Jewish ReligionThe Board of Trustees of Yeshiva University has elected Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman as the fifth president of Yeshiva University. He will officially begin his tenure in July 2017. “Rabbi Berman is a dynamic and inspirational leader, scholar and educator,” said YU Chairman Moshael J. Straus, who led the Presidential Selection Committee. “He possesses a
Rabbi Ari Berman: “I’m deeply humbled” Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAWomen from around the world make 10-day trip to Israel as part of initiative co-sponsored by the government By Times of Israel staff Jewish mothers from around the world taking part in ‘The Great Big Challah Bake’ in Jerusalem on Thursday, November 10, 2016. (Aviram Waldman) Some 500 Jewish mothers from around the world bonded
500 Jewish mothers bake challah for IDF soldiers Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — During my first year of Rabbinical School I had a roommate who dropped out. After studying for a year, he had had enough. He described Judaism as a giant birthday cake. If you have a little, it’s great. But if you eat the whole thing, you will get
The coming tenth famine Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Berk Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — As I write these words the presidential campaign, mercifully, is winding down. The ugliest, most unseemly, undignified, and dispiriting campaign in my lifetime is finally laid to rest. David Horovitz, editor of Times of Israel, says we have watched “…a great democracy being battered
If only we had a Torah- observant Jewish king Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA