Melanie Rubin never fails to spot a Jewish-interest license plate. As “18” is the numeric equivalent of the Hebrew word “chai” (life), we can think of this license plate as reading “Chai David!”
Jewish-interest license plate: 18 David Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie RubinBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — One cannot observe the politics of America or the Middle East without thinking, at least occasionally, about God. And one cannot be a decent political scientist without looking beyond one’s own locale, country, and continent, to see how things are done elsewhere. All this makes it hard for
God, in politics, is the All-Present and the All-Elusive Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO– Some in my congregation may have noticed that I often leave the bima during Shabbat services to greet visitors to our congregation. Although this may appear disruptive, I am following in the footsteps of a most excellent role model: Avraham Avinu, Abraham our Father. Abraham, the first human being
Why Abraham was sad in his tent Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Hashem revealed to Avraham that He planned to destroy the wicked city of Sodom. Avrahom did not merely take this as intellectual information that was removed from him. Avraham thought about the actual people in the city. As such he pleaded with Hashem that there must surely be
Three instances of appreciating the others’ point of view Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Avrohom looked at the world and saw the sun, moon, stars and sky. He felt the wind, rain and frost. He saw the forces of nature and cycles of life; the complexities of every creature from the chihuahua to the rhinosaurus. Avrohom reasoned that there had to be
When Abba wore his rain hat Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO — The Coen Brothers made a movie in 2009 called A Serious Man. The film would have no premise whatsoever without its extended opening, supernatural sequence featuring a “dybbuk” (an evil spirit in the form of a recently deceased person) visiting an unfortunate and hapless couple. Bad luck and
Halloween monsters? What could be more Jewish than that?! Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — There are enough assertions about the “essence of Judaism” to keep Jews and others arguing for another 3,000 years. One of those essences is political. As I read the Hebrew Bible, and consider the holidays on the Hebrew calendar, Judaism provides a central sacred place to the history of the
Galilee tour: ancient synagogues where men and women were not separated Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion
The Rubin family search for Jewish-interest license plates is expanding. Melanie Rubin, our prime spotter in San Diego, has recruited her mother, Penni, as a license plate sleuth. She found BSIMCHA in her home state of Ohio.
Jewish license plates: Reason to celebrate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie RubinBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — On Succos we leave our comfortable house and go out to the Succah – a booth that does not have a solid roof. This demonstrates our belief that it is not brick and mortar that protects us; rather it is Hashem [G-d]. Rabbi Moshe Turk of The Jewish
A baby’s fortuitous crying Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Judy Lash Balint By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — Seventeen ways you know Sukkot is coming to Jerusalem. 1. The tourists have landed! Overwhelmingly religious, English and French speaking, they jam the city’s take-out places and restaurants. The well-dressed visitors may be seen in packs wandering up and down Emek Refaim Street and through
17 Ways You Know Sukkot is Coming to Jerusalem Read More »
Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO–This license plate was spotted in San Diego County by Melanie Rubin. The extra ES at the end of the name? A matter for speculation.
Jewish interest license plate Read More »
Jewish Religion, Melanie RubinBy Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — Ben Gurion Airport closed at 1 p.m today and won’t reopen until three hours after the end of Yom Kippur tomorrow night. Public transportation all over Israel grinds to a halt by 2:30 p.m. In the streets later in the day, men hurry along with towels to the nearest
Israel falls unusually quiet as Yom Kippur descends Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By David Jelenko and Steve Hofstetter Dear [People on My Facebook Page/Friends], With [two days off of work/Rosh Hashanah] over, it’s time to look forward to Yom Kippur. And as always, that means [apologizing for stuff that isn’t my fault/penance], because [God says I have to/it’s always good to take stock of where things stand
Yom Kippur Mass Apology Form Read More »
Jewish Religion
Itamar Makes Friends: A Children’s Story of Jewish Brotherhood by Josh Hasten, illustrated by S. Kim Glassman, Geffen Kidz, Jerusalem, 2011, ISBN 978-965-229-567-5. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – This is a simple morality tale, but as is true with this genre, it raises some important questions, possibly even controversy. In brief, the story
He ain’t no country bumpkin; he’s my brother Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion