By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — If you’re not feeling the magic of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” let’s chat. Picture this: back in 1963, Jewish composers Eddie Pola and George Wyle (aka Bernard Weissman) crafted the catchy lyrics and music for that very song. Now, if you’re scratching your head […]
Parashat Mikeitz: Standing Resilient Against the Darkness Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Ken Stone Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — Barry Soper was beaming. The author and homeless advocate who spearheaded efforts to replace a vandalized menorah at the San Diego State University Chabad House was seeing it lit Thursday on the first night of Hanukkah. He and several hundred others cheered amid tragic times for Jews
Festival of Light and Steel: 20-Foot SDSU Menorah Shines on 1st Night of Hanukkah Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Shabbat Vayeishev 5784 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — Yosef, a handsome 17-year-old, cherished as the beloved son of the great Yaakov Avinu, was a young man dedicated to learning and growing closer to Hashem. However, his life took a challenging turn when his brothers turned against him, casting him into a pit,
Yosef’s Moral Compass: Navigating Challenges With Integrity Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
This is a memoir of an American falling in love with a French man who is more traditional in his religious observance than she is. They marry and live for a while in France, but Israel calls to him. She wants to live in the familiar U.S. of A. He wants his family to be raised as traditional Jews in Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]
Home in Israel or U.S.A.? A Couple’s Dilemma Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, USABy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — What an incredible week we’ve got coming up! With the joyous celebrations of Chanukah and the always-awaited Shabbat, it’s a whirlwind of excitement. Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and the festive happenings, it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly on the move. But
Parashat Vayeishev: Pushing the Pause Button Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Times of San Diego SAN DIEGO — A new menorah was installed Saturday outside the Chabad House, just east of San Diego State University. This bigger, brighter and vandal-resistant menorah – it weighs 1,500 pounds and is 20-feet tall – replaces one that was destroyed earlier this year in a suspected hate crime. Rabbi
Community Supports SDSU Chabad House in Replacing Menorah Lost to Hate Crime Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Some people become increasingly conservative as they age; but the reverse has been true in Dosick’s life. He grew up in a Conservative congregation but decided to enter the Reform seminary of Hebrew Union College because he objected to the Jewish Theological Seminary of the Conservative movement on two grounds. First, it still separated men and women during prayer services and Dosick opposed mehitzahs (physical barriers). Second the JTS leadership was then on record supporting the war in Vietnam in the mistaken belief that if the U.S. left Vietnam to the Communists, its support for Israel against its enemies also might be shaky. [Donald H. Harrison]
With Hanukkah fast approaching, it’s a time to purchase or pull from your family library a thoughtful, comprehensive Hannukah handbook that was written five years ago and is so well-done it should become a standard for the holiday. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hanukkah Handbook is Comprehensive Guide for Children Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionShabbat Vayishlach 5784 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — Yaakov had been preparing for the meeting between him and his brother Eisav. He had heard that his brother was coming with 400 men to kill him, so Yaakov acted very strategically in anticipation of the meeting. Then the moment of truth came. Yaakov
Finding Divine Connection in Unexpected Moments Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
Food-consumption plays a big role, some would say -“too big” — in the Jewish experience. Think about it. For example, the rules of kashrut — what can and can’t be eaten, and in what order or combination — can sometimes perplexing, [Joel H. Cohen]
We Jews are Always in the Mood for Food Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, Lifestyles, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Thank you, Jacob. For what, you may well ask. For teaching us the value of never missing an opportunity in life to do good, to say a kind word, to recognize that the present is all we have. Jacob, in a simple act, showed us to avoid
Parashat Vayishlach: Being Mindful of the Small Stuff Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Chanukah, is a minor holiday in our calendar that has been made into a major holiday by Hallmark and Mattel toys over the years. Nevertheless, even …though Chanukah is a minor holiday like Purim it has a very and important lesson for us particularly as Jews in America today. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg]
Israeli Soldiers Are the Modern Maccabees Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion
In Judaism, there’s a saying in the Talmud, “Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot” (Pirkei Avot 4:1). This wisdom resonates deeply with the spirit of Thanksgiving. It’s about recognizing the fullness of our lives, even when there are ‘holes’, or missing pieces. It’s about finding joy and gratitude in what we do have – the ‘bagel’ – the blessings, the opportunities, and the hope that surrounds us. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
Focus on the Bagel, Not on the Hole: A Thanksgiving Parable Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Travel and Food
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Sesame Place® San Diego, the only theme park on the West Coast based entirely on the award-winning show Sesame Street®, is hosting a Hanukkah Celebration on Sunday, December 10. The daytime family-friendly holiday fun includes: Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony – Guests can join their favorite furry friends for this holiday
Hanukkah Celebration Returns to Sesame Place San Diego Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast