Jewish Religion

Israeli Bar Mitzvah boy forgoes party, treats 200 soldiers to dinner

Published by ANI News Tel Aviv [Israel], January 21 (ANI/TPS): Amichai Jackson, a bar mitzvah boy from the Gush Etzion community of Elazar, decided that in lieu of a party to mark the milestone event his parents should use the money to treat Israeli soldiers to dinner. Amichai was slated to celebrate his bar mitzvah […]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Nordot

Our Shtetl San Diego County:  Israel-bound Rabbi ‘Zucky’ Returns to San Diego

Zuckerman’s last trip to Israel was in October.  On that occasion, he visited an IDF reserve unit near the Lebanese border, which had no trucks to move around the reservists’ gear. He promptly contributed $2,000 for the unit to purchase a trailer for hauling its equipment. [SDJW staff]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The Arts, The World We Share, Travel and Food, USA

Polish lawmaker who extinguished Hanukkah candles loses immunity

Published by Reuters UK WARSAW (Reuters) – Poland’s parliament has voted to remove the immunity from prosecution of a lawmaker who used a fire extinguisher to put out Jewish Hanukkah candles in the country’s parliament in December, an incident that caused international outrage. The vote opens the way for prosecutors to press charges against Grzegorz

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International, Jewish Religion, Nordot

This Week’s Torah Reading: Bo

Can we consider ourselves a moral society if we do not help needy people? The Greek philosopher Aristotle writes that man is a social being. Is it our nature that requires us to help others or something else? Author Ayn Rand took a different approach. She insisted that people should look out for themselves intelligently and be enlightened. Who is right? Is there a middle path? Should stronger nations help poorer nations? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Elmo’s Not Good at Dreidel and Other Tidbits from Sesame Place

“Growing, learning, sharing kindness, and acceptance of others” are the watchwords of Sesame Place.  The Sesame Street theme park’s employees say they practice these values whether in day-to-day activities or at special events like last December’s Chanukah celebration that featured playing dreidel with Elmo. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Solidarity Ride Marked 100 Days Israelis Held Hostage by Hamas

Faulconer, now running for a seat on the County Board of Supervisors, commented, “It is a privilege today to ride with 100 others in strong solidarity with Israel and our Jewish community in San Diego.”  Zimmerman said, “Today is the 100th day since the brutal Hamas attack and for the hostages still in captivity.  They must be all be safely returned now.  We pedal in solidarity with our sister city Sha’ar Hanegev and all of Israel.” Essakow pointed out that the riders were of all faiths, who pray for the safe return of approximately 130 hostages.[SDJW staff report]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Shlomo Carlebach

A songwriter who couldn’t read music, Carlebach composed the popular “Am Yisrael Chai” (The People of Israel Live),  which is now a Jewish standard, and thousands of other songs.  He gained fame as “the singing rabbi” and  he founded the Carlebach Shul in New York City’s Upper West Side.  [SDJW staff report]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort Found His Home in Chasidism

I always laugh when people say Orthodox relegate women to secondary roles. Not in Chabad, baby! It is just not the truth. The rebbetzin is the soul of the place and that is not unique to our house. The children are part of it too. They grow up in shul running around, and now, for us, our grandchildren do. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Next Friday Night is the Shabbat of Love

Next Friday evening, January 19, will be celebrated in San Diego and across North America as the Shabbat of Love. Locally the event is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of San Diego. [SDJW staff report]

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California, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

Our Shtetl San Diego County: Families of Hamas Hostages to Speak in La Jolla Jan. 15

“They will share their stories, shedding light on the challenging circumstances they face,” according to an IAC announcement. “Together, let’s raise awareness and advocate for the freedom of our hostages.” [SDJA staff report]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA