By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Once, a burly, gruff looking, man who had served in the Russian army, entered a Jewish inn and ordered a meal. When Jewish boys were drafted, it was usually the end of yiddishkeit for them. The army brainwashed them to worship Mother Russia rather than G-d. He plopped […]
When the Chofetz Chaim saw what others didn’t Read More »
Jewish Religion
Sleeping Truth by Martin Vesole, Shalom Rav Publishing © 2013, ISBN 978-1937416027, 355 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—Mary Poppins was the Disney character who sang about a spoonful of sugar helping the medicine to go down. Presenting this story of a fictional debate between a Christian evangelical and a Reform-leaning Reconstructionist rabbi, who perhaps
Debate between Christian and Jew focus of novel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Last week, I reported that there is a minhag (custom) to eat latkes on Chanukah because they are made with oil. This makes sense as oil was part of the miracle when one day’s worth of oil burned for eight days. I was rather astonished to learn this
When dairy meals were a Chanukah custom Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit) –When Mark Halawa lights his family’s menorah during Chanukah, it is not without recalling his unique journey as a Kuwaiti Muslim to Orthodox Judaism. The 38-year-old businessman, who lives today in Jerusalem with his wife and family, keeping Shabbat and kosher dietary laws, began his journey 12 years ago in Canada.
A Kuwaiti Muslim’s journey to Chanukah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Toby Klein Greenwald JERUSALEM–These latest parshiot (chapters) of the Torah readings remind me of the summer and fall of 2001, when the women of the Raise Your Spirits Theatre put on the production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to sold-out audiences who came on bulletproof buses from all over Israel to our
Joseph was dressed for success Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Toby Klein GreenwaldBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — When partners fall out with each other, the fallout can be devastating. In marriage it’s called divorce, but, of course, it occurs in many other situations. In Israel, it has just become an election issue with possible serious consequences. The late Ovadia Yosef, a former Sephardi chief rabbi of
A split in Shas; other Haredim restless Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)–The oldest continuously running social welfare organization in Israel, Colel Chabad, is hosting its annual retreat for 260 orphans and widows this Chanukah. For the past ten years, Colel Chabad has organized a variety of therapeutic activities specifically designed for children who have lost parents in recent years, as well those
Respite for widows, orphans at Jerusalem hotel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison LA MESA, California –Did you hear the one about the rabbi, the congresswoman and the mayor who walked into a shopping center during the middle of the December holiday season and lit a giant menorah fashioned from balloons? No, it’s not a joke! It happened on Sunday, Dec. 21, the sixth
Balloon menorah, officials at Chanukah celebration Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of women who were allegedly visualized and/or recorded while they were naked using a mikvah. (Case #14-008073, Superior Court of the District of Columbia). The case involves Rabbi Bernard Freundel, a widely-recognized religious figure and spiritual leader at
Suit filed against rabbi accused of spying on mikvah Read More »
Jewish Religion, USA
ENCINO, California (Press Release) — Rabbi Harold Schulweis, regarded as the most influential synagogue leader of his generation, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, at his home after a long struggle with heart disease, his longtime congregation, Valley Beth Shalom, announced. Rabbi Schulweis was 89 years old. Rabbi Uri Herscher, founding president and CEO of the Skirball
Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, 89, z”l Read More »
Jewish Religion
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — A graduate of Yemin Orde Youth Village, in Israel, was honored with lighting a special menorah at the annual White House Hanukkah celebration in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Ataklit Tesfaye, 23, an Ethiopian-Israeli who immigrated to Israel in 2008, recited the Hanukkah prayers alongside President Barack Obama and First Lady
Ethiopian Israeli lights White House menorah Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USASACRAMENTO (Press Release)–State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) issued the following statement about the contemporary meaning of Hanukkah as chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus from Washington, D.C., where he is attending the White House Hanukkah reception on Wednesday, Dec. 17. “Hanukkah, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, takes on new meaning today as
Block: Modern fight against terror recalls Chanukah Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Michael Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — I just finished loading my iPod with nearly three hours of Christmas music. I enjoy listening to Christmas music – especially the soppy, nostalgic stuff. I like the feeling of crisp, colder weather that the music reminds me of when I was a kid in New Jersey –
Enjoy Christmas, but be secure as a Jew Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Michael Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — There is a little known custom involving Chanukah gelt worth understanding. It was customary to give children Chanukah gelt on the fifth day of the holiday. Why the fifth day? It’s the only day of Chanukah that can never come out on Shabbat. You see Chanukah never starts
This Chanukah, don’t let the Hellenists win Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell