Jewish Religion

Former Moscow chief rabbi to receive International Charlemagne Prize

Published by DPA International The president of the Conference of European Rabbis, Pinchas Goldschmidt, is due to receive the International Charlemagne Prize in the German city of Aachen on Thursday morning. The Jewish communities in Europe are to be honoured together with the 60-year-old rabbi. The award is intended to send a signal that Jewish […]

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International, Jewish Religion, Nordot

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Yom, Yom, Yom

Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut are fast approaching. There will be separate community observances of these two Israeli holidays May 12 and 19 at the Lawrence Family JCC… Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista observes Yom HaShoah at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, with an interdenominational gathering of South Bay clergy.. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, USA

Spinoza: A Latter-Day Disciple of Maimonides?

Many, including Spinoza’s family, fled to Amsterdam, where Jews were tolerated as long as they did not “clash with (Amsterdam’s) Calvinism on such matters as the immortality of the soul, belief in the afterlife, God the creator or the divine origin of the Holy Scriptures – all dogmas that Spinoza would later repudiate.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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

The Lion’s Trail: Gush Etzion

Looking to the east, from the viewing platform, are the Mountains of Moab; present day Jordan. Moses stood atop one of the Moab Mountains, Mount Nebo, his heart breaking. God permitted Moses to see the “Promised Land” only from afar. Moses was not permitted to enter the “Land” because of the sin he committed, doubting God, in front of the Jewish people.  [Jerry Klinger]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

She Cried When He Said Her Parents Are in Hell

When Sarah’s parents died within a year of each other, she asked her messianic “rabbi” to say the mourner’s Kaddish prayer for them. Sarah cried when he told her, “There is no reason to say Kaddish since your non-believing parents are burning in hell.” Sarah was devastated by the callousness of this statement, and she started to entertain doubts about Christianity. [Rabbi Bentzion Kravitz]

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Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rep. Sara Jacobs Votes Against Antisemitism Awareness Act

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego) voted in the minority against a bill on Wednesday, May 1, that is called the Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023.  She said the measure “would stifle and restrict free speech in an effort to combat the rise of antisemitism”  The measure passed the House by a vote 320-91. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Getting Away from It All in Cyprus

Even when the news is reported in Greek (though the TV in our room also showed one of the Israeli channels as well as the BBC), it’s impossible to avoid scenes of devastation, clips of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities across the USA or recognize the names of Israel’s prime minister and other politicians. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Parsha Acharei Mos: Okay to Cry, but Then Vow to Live a Torah-Life

While guilt can serve as a moral motivator, it should not consume us. We must make efforts to correct mistakes, have a plan to avoid repeating them, and then let go of perseverating on the past through forgiveness. Using this Hashem-given capacity for forgiveness allows us to heal and grow spiritually and psychologically. {Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Matzo Chronicles: My Whirlwind European Tour, Tulips and Turmoil

Where are the proudly proclaimed markers of historical Jewish life and contributions in the great European cities? Why are they — we — too often erased or at least, largely invisible from the tours and guidebooks? 
Second, for all the glory and achievement, how is it that humankind still hasn’t learned to respect religious, ethnic, and cultural differences, or at least tolerate them? [Karen Galatz]

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Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Karen Galatz, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

Lion’s Trail in Golan Recalls 749 Earthquake-Destroyed Synagogue

The Golan Heights had been a significant area of Jewish life. After the earthquake of 749, Jews could not and were not permitted to return to live in the Golan by the occupying Muslim powers and later the Ottoman Turks. Jews could not return to live in the Golan until after the Israeli victory over the Syrians in the 1967 war. [Jerry Klinger]

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Israel, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Seders With Prayers for Hostages and Thoughts about Campus Safety

If you are interested in showing up to support Jewish college students at UCSD during the upcoming “Peace in Israel” week, our partner Hillel of San Diego asks that you participate in their webinar, “So You Want to Support Students,” on Wednesday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. Register here. {Heidi Gantwerk]

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Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA