By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Our tradition is a tapestry of stories. Every generation weaves its own unique color and threads as we make a mosaic about our history and family memories. Whenever our family of survivors told us about their experiences in the concentration camps, I used to marvel at their […]
The story behind a winning smile Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –He was an old man, and in many ways came from a very different world than I. And yet he taught me more than anyone else ever did. One of the things he taught me was that no one suffers as much as a parent who loses a
Aaron remained silent Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — A few days ago, within a week of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, my mother’s youngest brother passed away. His passing made me reflect on the long tentacles of the Shoah that leaves its mark on lives until today. Isi was the youngest of five children, born in 1926
Kindertransport child felt uprooted the rest of his life Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Among the non‑Orthodox rabbis who were placed in the concentration camps, Rabbi Leo Baeck provides one of the most outstanding examples of shepherding of that era. Baeck’s saintly conduct served as an inspiration to all who were with him in the camp. In the years prior
Rabbi Leo Baeck never left the Jewish people’s side Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Nothing challenges the belief in a benevolent God like the ubiquity of evil in the world. For the Jewish people, the experience of the Holocaust revealed the inadequacy of traditional theology. The God of the Exodus seemed “to be out for lunch.” Asked in more simple and
Remembering a rabbi who would not forget his fellow Jews Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO–Spirits droop these days—there are mass shootings, racial flare-ups, and governmental genocides in Syria and elsewhere. We live with a sense of vulnerability as the climate behaves capriciously. Less dangerous but still burdensome, we endure an endless political polarization here in America that drives the presidential campaign, which also
Discerning day from night Read More »
Jewish Religion
VISTA, California (Press Release) — A capacity crowd attended Congregation B’nai Tikvah’s annual, “2nd Night Seder” Saturday evening, April 7. Congregation B’nai Tikvah was honored to host a very special guest, Corporal Samuel Roochnik from Bethesda, MD, who is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton Marine Base. The seder, officiated by B’nai Tikvahs’ Rabbi Ben Leinow was “lively, entertaining and spiritually moving,” according
A Passover welcome for a Marine away from home Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —As we open our door to welcome Elijah, some of us probably snicker and say “Yeah, right…” The cynicism of our age makes us doubt whether the Messiah will ever really arrive. People often wonder who the Messiah is going to be. Many faith communities believe it
What do Jews believe about the coming of a Messiah? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Leah Singer SAN DIEGO — We young Jews have quite a dilemma these days. I’m not talking about the economic crisis or whether to buy an iPad now or wait until later. I’m talking about – quite simply – how we honor our Jewish heritage with the name. Ever since I became engaged ten
Names — what’s a Jewish woman to do? Read More »
Jewish Religion
HEBRON, Israel — While many Israelis fly off to various points around the globe for Passover, those of us who stay home and are fortunate enough to have some time off during the week-long holiday use the time to explore and get to know the country better. One group that’s helping make that happen
Israelis pour into Hebron for Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Some of our seder customs were originally introduced to help children pay attention during the service (for example the youngest child asking the Four Questions and the hide and seek game played with the afikoman). Over the years most of us have found it is just as challenging to keep
Some questions for the adults at your seder table Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Sandi Masori SAN DIEGO — Oh, oh, first night of Passover is coming Friday night, April 6, and with it, a big, big meal. What is a weight-conscious Jew to do? That’s the question I put in the video embedded below to Shari Marks, a rebbitzen who, having shed 60 pounds herself, is now
Some weight-conscious tips for Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Pesach is a time of salvation and redemption. Despite our bitter bondage, we were faithful to Hashem (G-d) and the ways of the Torah. Against all odds, open miracles occured to sustain our lives and freedom. This happened then and it still happens now as the following true
A matzo miracle… when it was most needed Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Leah Singer SAN DIEGO — I was reading Sunrise, Sunset to my daughter, Sophie. Sunrise, Sunset is a story using the words of the famous Fiddler on the Roof song. As I was reading the story, Sophie interrupted and asked, “Mommy, why is that man wearing a scarf?” I told Sophie it’s called a
Mommy, what is prayer? Read More »
Jewish Religion