Omri Balit IDF Spokesperson’s Unit My name is Omri Balit and I was born in the USA. My parents grew up in Israel and moved to the states before I was born because of my father”s work. I was born in New York but I grew up in Los Angeles. As a teen, I took […]
Apples, honey, and fatigues Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastReform and Conservative congregations in the US have launched a campaign of protest against the government of Israel. The Reform and Conservative movements cited as reason for the effort the ritual bath (mikvaot) bill banning use of public facilities for conversions not performed by recognized authorities -which passed its second and third readings in the
Reform movement to protest Israel’s laws on mikvahs, Kotel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — In many Sephardic communities, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with a seder meal, a custom which dates to the Talmud (Horayot 12a), when Abaye, a Babylonian rabbi, listed a variety of foods that should be eaten at the New Year. The foods are placed on a “Yehi Ratzon platter,” and
Jewish trivia quiz: Sephardic Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — In other denominations, confession is a personal event, often realized between the confessor and a priestly intermediary. The cleric is charged with admonition but also the release, by virtue of so many devotions, mantras and other rituals. Not so with the Jews: As the community gathers for the
High Holy Days are for group confession Read More »
Jewish ReligionWhat critics and fans are calling Leonard Cohen‘s darkest song yet has turned out to be a bright spot in a Montreal cantor’s career. “You Want It Darker” — the first track released this week from the 82-year-old Cohen’s new album of the same name — features the voice of Cantor Gideon Zelermyer of Congregation
Montreal cantor helps Leonard Cohen on road back to his Jewish roots Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsA survey by the European Jewish Association suggests few Jews in Europe will attend synagogue for this year”s Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur holidays as security fears grow and with harassment by Muslims on the rise. According to the study, which spanned 700 Jewish communities from England to the Ukraine, 70% of European Jews said
Poll: European Jews afraid to attend holiday services Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
Nine Essential Things I’ve Learned About Life by Harold S. Kushner; Anchor Books (c) 2015; IBSN 9780804-173452; 171 pages, $15. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Rabbi Harold Kushner, famous since he wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People, has a personal ritual which I found fascinating. “Before I sit down to write,
Kushner offers mixture of theology, practical advice Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionAs evening begins in the Colombian coastal city of Santa Marta, the sun descends into the Caribbean Sea, captivating residents with its picturesque tableau. In an area noted for its sunsets, the sun is now rising on two recent Jewish congregations made up entirely of converts. They are Shirat Hayyam in Santa Marta, and Javura
With the Caribbean as their ritual bath, Colombian converts flow to Judaism Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionBy Arkady Mamaysky TARRYTOWN, New York — Jews constitute only 0.2% of world’s population of 7.4 billion people. And yet anti-Semitism and hatred of the Jews is widespread and continues for centuries despite our honest efforts and dedication to be good citizens of the countries in which we live. So why to continue to be
Some reasons for remaining Jewish Read More »
Arkady Mamaysky, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — “But what will they say?” Better yet ask, “What will you answer to yourself?” You shall not see the ox or the sheep of your brother wandering and disregard them. You will surely return them to your brother. If your brother is not near or you do not
Weekly Torah portion: Ki Tetzei Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — One of the most conspicuous signs of a Jewish home is the Mezuza on the doorpost. While sometimes people think that the essence of the mitzvah is affixing the decorative case on the doorpost, the important part of the Mezuza is what’s inside: a small scroll with the
Parapets around our roofs and our hearts Read More »
Jewish ReligionTel Aviv (dpa) – The world’s oldest man, who turned 113th on Thursday, plans to mark his birthday by celebrating his bar mitzvah in the Israeli city of Haifa about a century later than most people, his daughter told dpa. About 100 family members are expected to attend his belated bar mitzvah, which is expected
World’s oldest man plans to mark birthday in Israel with bar mitzvah Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle EastGuatemalan authorities on Tuesday raided the property of a strictly Orthodox Jewish sect after receiving reports that community leaders were severely abusing children, Israel Radio said. One unconfirmed report said children were taken away from the compound, where more than 200 Lev Tahor members live in complete segregation from locals, according to the Israeli daily
Guatemalan authorities raid secretive compound of Jewish cult Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — So now the Palestinians are saying that the concept of any historical connection between the Jews and Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount in particular, is pure myth, and they are trying to get UNESCO to adopt a resolution to that effect. I wonder what would happen if they
Jewish historic connection to Jerusalem undeniable Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East