This past weekend, I participated in Tifereth Israel Synagogue Sisterhood’s Havdalah service on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 8. I carried the Torah as we closed out the service. [Cailin Acosta]
Carrying a Torah Through the Congregation Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
One week after the annual hate-filled apartheid week organized by various student organizations at UC San Diego, pro-Israel students will get to counter-program with “joy” by sponsoring Israel week. The on-campus celebration will open this May’s observance of Jewish Heritage Month. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hillel at UC San Diego Takes Pro-Active Steps to Counter Antisemitism Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The Decalogue, which most people mistakenly call “The Ten Commandments,” is contained in the fifth Exodus biblical portion, Yitro, which Moses repeats with many changes in the fifth chapter of Deuteronomy. Some Jewish philosophers, rabbis, and non-Jews disagreed over what exactly the Bible was saying in these statements. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What Do the Ten Commandments Really Say? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Since 2014, radio host Nachum Segal has presented the “Kosher Halftime Show” as an online alternative for religious Jews to watch while the players are in the locker room for the mid-game break. This year’s Kosher Halftime Show broadcast featured singer/songwriter Eli Begun, composer of such songs as In Our Darkest Times and Shabbos Hayom. Why does Nachum Segal provide this halftime program for Jewish football fans? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Super Bowl Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
The first night Seder of Passover comes this year on Saturday, April 12. To introduce children who have never tasted unleavened bread before, Charlotte Offsay has authored a book of rhymes about matzah. [Donald H. Harrison]
Matzah is Subject of Rhyming Book for Children Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodWith Tu B’Shvat coming on Feb. 13, I found these coloring pages from Joanne Fink Judaica to be printed and colored. As the weather seems to be a bit dreary with possible rain, I thought a fun indoor activity would be nice to share with you all. [Cailin Acosta]
Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages for Children and Adults Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. EL CAJON, California — In the Torah portion Beshalach which we read this week, a profound verse highlights the relationship between divine guidance and personal well-being. The text presents two nuanced interpretations of Hashem’s role as a healer. It contains the following verse: “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the
Parasha Beshalach: Finding Strength and Healing in Times of Challenge Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Sabbath Queen shown Sunday night at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival documents the life of Amichai Lau-Lavie, the Rabbi and founding spiritual leader of Lab/Shul in NYC. The documentary combines archival footage, 21 years of filming and animation to tell the story of Lau-Lavie’s spiritual journey. [Robin Dishman]
‘Sabbath Queen’ Tells of an Orthodox Rabbi Who Became a Drag Queen Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
What particularly fascinates me is how the book reveals the Mishnah’s sophisticated understanding of physical and psychological phenomena that we’ve only recently begun to explain through modern scientific frameworks. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Mishnah Anticipated Scientific Understanding of Whispering, Digestion, Combustion Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe San Diego International Jewish Film Festival is being held at the Lawrence Family JCC. I love going to the movies but since having twins, those typical date nights with my husband are not very common anymore. [Cailin Acosta]
Taking in the Movies at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
I began my intervention by stating that I did not choose to be Jewish, that I was born in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, to Jewish parents, and that I was not asked for my opinion on religion when I was born, nor was I consulted about being circumcised at 8 days old. So, I suppose it was God’s will that determined my religion and, in part, my destiny. This automatically connected me with the audience because, like all religious people, they believe in God’s will, which allowed them to empathize with me. [José Galicot]
Grace Church Pastors Tell Why They Choose to Stand with Us Jews Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAParsha Bo’s greatest lesson is to never accede, to never give in, to never give up. A wonderful lesson on Mental Health Awareness Shabbat in the UK, a day dedicated to promoting good mental health within the Jewish community. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Bo: Come With Me Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWe all breathed a sigh of relief with the little bit of rain that came in over the weekend to help extinguish the fires in Los Angeles and around San Diego County. As I checked my alerts on my phone, these fires are still not 100% contained. They are still active. [Cailin Acosta]
Rain, Human Kindness Give Hope Amid Wildfires Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Dr. Shapiro reveals Rabbi Kook’s surprising, sometimes radical, and breathtaking ideas, prompting us to rethink what we have accepted as sensible. It is the best book I have read in years. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Rav Kook’s Unique Vision Told by Author Marc B. Shapiro Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors