By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Thanks to my grandniece, Jessica Harrison-Ruiz, who lives and teaches English to kindergarteners in Puebla, Mexico, for sending this upbeat Passover song, performed on YouTube by a group that has named itself for the number of commandments we find in the Torah–Six13, or more simply put, 613. I […]
Six13’s Uptown Passover Read More »
International, Jewish Religion
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM–It goes without saying that countless families in Israel are unable to afford the Passover Seder meal but two charitable organizations, Leket Israel and Colel Chabad are working to change that reality. Colel Chabad, the oldest continuously running social services organization in Israel, founded in 1788, has been charged by the
NGOs to distribute food for Pesach in Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
Here is the World: A Year of Jewish Holidays by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Susan Gal; Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2014, with reinforced binding, ISBN 978-141-971-1855; $18.95 By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — This richly illustrated book, intended to familiarize young Jewish children with the annual cycle of holidays, tells in verse
Children’s book introduces the Jewish holidays Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) — With nearly 50 years of history behind Israel’s parliament building, the Classical stone structure has seen countless historical changes and events. But a new kind of revolution is making its way through the halls of the Israeli parliament with the “Green Knesset Project,” a unique environmentally friendly initiative spearheaded
Knesset goes solar; Israel’s parliament ‘greenest’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastHAIFA (SDJW)– Imaginative students at the Technion in Haifa found a Rube Goldberg way of retelling the Passover story, using various forms of mechanical force to illustrate the highlights that we Jews retell when we read our Haggadahs. Our thanks to our frequent contributor and book reviewer, Dr. Fred Reiss of Winchester, California, for spotting
A Rube Goldberg Pesach from Technion to you Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When Jewish children turn thirteen they become adults in the eyes of the Jewish community and are responsible for observing the mitzvot (commandments) on their own. We call this status “Bar or Bat Mitzvah,” which means, “son or daughter of the commandments,” but more correctly, “responsible for following
The meaning behind ‘Shabbat Hagadol’ Read More »
Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO — The following Passover Haggadah insert was received by San Diego Jewish World from the Hatikvah slate running for delegate spots at the upcoming World Zionist Congress. We provide the text for your information, and not as an endorsement. * Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav has become famous because of these words: Kol Ha’olam
Hatikvah slate offers Haggadah insert Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Child sex abuse in an Orthodox Jewish community, indeed in any community, is not an easy topic to discuss. It isn’t an easy topic to write about either, especially in a Jewish publication. But when Judy Bloom Friedel called and asked if I would moderate a panel
Sex abuse victim offers advice to parents Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –A person worked long and hard to save a big fortune. He decided to rest from the work and to live in luxury for his pleasure, which he could afford because of his wealth. Just when he made his decision, the Angel of Death came to him. Being a
Measuring freedom in terms of time Read More »
Jewish ReligionNumber of Israeli ministers expected to rise in next government (Israel Hayom/Exclusive to JNS.org) Despite the decisive victory by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party in the March 17 Israeli election, the negotiations to build the Jewish state’s next coalition government could take up the entire 42-day time period allotted by Israeli law. In his
Jewish news briefs: March 19, 2015 Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USAShma Koleinu: A Jewish People’s Commentary on the Siddur by Rabbi Steven Schwarzman, editor, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, an Amazon Company, Seattle, WA; ISBN 978-1-50535-392-1 ©2014, $17.99, p. 202, plus contributor’s list By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — Jews communicate with God through animal sacrifice, or at least they did when the Temple stood in
Reacting to the prayers in the siddur Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionWASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) –American Jewish World Service has distributed a Passover reading emphasizing the accomplishments of women in the Exodus story. “We are grateful to Justice Ginsburg and Rabbi Holzblatt for offering a powerful feminist reading for Passover, which highlights the leadership of women in the liberation of the ancient Israelites from slavery in Egypt,”
Justice Ginsburg, Rabbi Holzblatt offer seder reading Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The community mikvah, providing waters for spiritual immersion for a variety of rituals, has decided to suspend its programs while its board reassesses communal needs and acceptance. With less activity in prospect during this transition, its executive director, Rabbi Lenore Bohm, will step down March 31 to pursue other opportunities. Following
Community mikvah to suspend programs Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyThe JGuy’s Guide: The GPS for Jewish Teen Guys by Rabbi J. B. Meszler, Dr. S. Reinharz, L. Suneby, and D. Heiman, Jewish Lights Publishing; ISBN 978-1-45967-434-9 ©2013, $18.99, p. 177, plus notes By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California –A much narrower distinction existed between childhood and adulthood in the nineteenth century then it does
Jewish advice for teenage guys Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion