Jewish Religion

The Exodus Reenacted in San Diego by Israeli American Council

Picture this: we all dress up as Israelite slaves to really feel what it was like back then. Then, we listen to the story with our very own Moses and Pharaoh. After that, Moses crosses the Red Sea for us and we follow him hiking into the desert. Okay – not for 40 years—but just for a family-friendly 1-mile hike. But it’s about the experience, right? (Naomi Chen)

The Exodus Reenacted in San Diego by Israeli American Council Read More »

Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

On the Doorpost of Your Home: Mezuzah’s Meaning Told

Albert stuck the mezuzah to the door frame and said the prayer. Just like that, the process was done. Is this what we waited for? As a matter of fact, yes. While the physical aspect was so quick, it is the spiritual side that was filled and is overflowing. [Miriam Gershenson)

On the Doorpost of Your Home: Mezuzah’s Meaning Told Read More »

Albert Kreimerman, Jewish Religion, Miriam Gershenson, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

California’s Religious History Remembered at Very Last Northbound I-5 Exit in San Diego County

Northbound Interstate 5’s last exit in San Diego County is Cristianitos Road, Spanish for ‘the Little Christians.” How did it get such a name, and what might Jewish history have to do with such a place? [Donald H. Harrison]

California’s Religious History Remembered at Very Last Northbound I-5 Exit in San Diego County Read More »

California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

OpEd: Optimism Required Before Passover; Pessimism Can be Self-Fulfilling

I have learned that coming into Passover many of you feel depressed. Some feel angry with the world. Many are unemployed and too many are seeking someone to love of find someone to love them. My thoughts are with those who have health problems. [Rabbi Bernhard H. Rosenberg]

OpEd: Optimism Required Before Passover; Pessimism Can be Self-Fulfilling Read More »

Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Contest Will Provide Input for Jewish Movie’s Sequel

The movie explores the concepts of “freedom to” and “freedom from;” Passover customs; unplugging on Shabbat; why Orthodox Jewish men refrain from touching women who are not part of their families; Torah attitudes towards homosexuality; why Orthodox women cover their hair; and sexual practices within an Orthodox Jewish marriage. [Donald H. Harrison]

Contest Will Provide Input for Jewish Movie’s Sequel Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ Works to be Digitized, Disseminated for Free

Sefaria will add more than three dozen volumes by Rabbi Sacks to the library, released in stages over several years. The April 2024 release is the first batch of these works. The entire collection of Rabbi Sack’s writing that will be accessible on Sefaria is made possible through the support of the William Davidson Foundation. [Press Release]

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ Works to be Digitized, Disseminated for Free Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Religion, USA

Artists’ and Artisans’ Show Lures Her to a Synagogue

This past Sunday, Tifereth Israel Synagogue hosted its First Annual Artists’ Showcase. Many talented artists came out to proudly display their creations which ranged from art, books, music, photography, woodworking, other crafts and Israeli stamp collecting. The event was jointly sponsored by the Tifereth Israel Synagogue Men’s Club and Sisterhood. [Mimi Pollack]

Artists’ and Artisans’ Show Lures Her to a Synagogue Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Israel, Jewish Religion, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, News Media, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

A Very instructive Haggadah

Thirty-five Jewish men and women contributed short essays to stimulate participation. One points out that Moses tried to persuade God not to send him to Egypt by saying, “I am not a man of many words.” However, tonight, we read how he led the Israelites from slavery. Doesn’t this show that limited words can achieve great things? Can you think of examples? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

A Very instructive Haggadah Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

A New Superb Haggada in Time for Passover

It includes 15 scholarly, easy-to-read essays, such as “Israel’s Enemies,” “Lincoln Dying on Passover,” “An American Moses,” “An American Joshua,” “The Power of Imagination,” and “America’s Favorite Prophet.” Virtually every page has paintings or drawings, and many famous Jewish and American leaders are mentioned and their teachings narrated. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

A New Superb Haggada in Time for Passover Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

His teachings included the idea that every Hasid must search for a saintly exemplar, or tzaddik, for himself. He rejected the idea that such saintliness can be inherited. A tzaddik must elevate the community through his observance of the commandments and performance of good deeds. People might confide in a tzaddik as part of a process of unburdening their souls, but they should pray only to God. [SDJW staff]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Rabbi Nachman of Breslov Read More »

Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Today's Jewish Birthday

Parsha Shemini: The Value of Silence

God was teaching Moshe that there are things that one can understand only if one sees the entire picture. This can only be done when one is silent because when one speaks, one concentrates only on what he’s saying, ignoring the surroundings. Shtikah allows one to evaluate his surroundings and to see the entire picture. [Rabbi Daniel Reich]

Parsha Shemini: The Value of Silence Read More »

Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Deconstructing the Myths of King Solomon

Solomon is credited for discovering the true mother of a baby simply because one of the two disputing prostitutes agreed to give up the child when Solomon foolishly said he would slice the child in two and give each a half. Rational thinkers and legal experts recognize this was Solomon’s unintelligent decision. Her act proves nothing. She may not have been the mother,
but she agreed to give up the child to the true mother simply because she did not want to carry her farce to the end, where the child was murdered. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Deconstructing the Myths of King Solomon Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast