We might want to reflect this Tisha B’Av, which begins on Wednesday evening, July 26, on how we can help our fellow Jews who have fallen on hard times – an obvious reversal of the unkindness and factionalism that twice led to the downfall of ancient Jerusalem. [Donald H. Harrison]
Tisha B’Av: Time Not Only for Lamentations, But Also for Kindness Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County
Parshiot Matos-Maasei 5783 By Rabbi Daniel Reich The Jewish people currently find themselves in a period of mandated reflection. The three weeks between the 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av are dedicated to mourning the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash and our longing for the rebuilding of the holy temple in Jerusalem. Unfortunately,
The Three Weeks: A Time of Reflection, Reconnection, and Rebuilding Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
Ridberg had plenty of opportunities to compare the different denominations of Judaism before she committed to Reconstructing Judaism. As a child in Rockville, Maryland, she attended the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, which offers classes from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her family belonged to a Conservative synagogue. After graduating with a major in women’s studies and communication arts from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, she worked with the Reform movement in Washington D.C. In the nation’s capital, she also attended the non-denominational Farbrengen Havurah, “one of the oldest havurot that came out of the 1960s-1970s era.” [Donald H. Harrison]
By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — It is a great simcha to find love, get married, and have children. However, not everyone is so lucky. Every day, countless people all over the world break up. Some suffer divorce and separation, others a broken engagement, and many split before even getting that far. Why is this,
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — There’s a Jewish maxim, “Every generation receives the leader it deserves.” Parasha Pinchas seems to provide a foundation for this adage. The parasha distinguishes between the leadership of Moses, who in today’s language would be described as a wise, dauntless, self-aware, “we” not “me,” conscious leader, and Joshua,
Parashat Pinchas: Every Generation Receives the Leader it Deserves Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Cooking is Lebovitz’s world. The kitchen from which she has been banished, for that one night only, officially has been named “Grammy’s Kitchen” in honor of Lebovitz, 85, who is called “Grammy Sheila” by the nine children and 15 grandchildren of Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort and Rebbetzin Nehama Eilfort, as well as by other younger members of the congregation. [Donald H. Harrison]
On This Special Day, Caterer is Refused Entry to Chabad of La Costa’s Kitchen Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — One of the ways rabbis and secular scholars acquire a deeper understanding of the Bible is by comparing the events in the story with events in other biblical tales. They also compare two Bible sections that use the same word. David Curwin does both in his
Comparing Biblical Stories With Other Tales Enhances Their Meaning Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Ahh, a book on “The Torah Path to Health, Fitness and a Holy Life.” Music to my ears. It was the Rambam who wrote, “Maintaining a healthy body is among the ways of serving Hashem, since it is impossible for one who is not healthy to understand
Book Offers Compelling Integration of Torah and Contemporary Medicine Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
In a letter to each youth, Biden wrote: “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. I congratulate you on taking it upon yourself to contribute to the public good … Throughout our country’s history, the American story has been strengthened by those who combine an optimism about what can be with the resilience to turn that vision into reality. I know I’m not alone in recognizing that those who are willing to step up and volunteer in service of community and country are essential to the ongoing work of forming our more perfect union.” [Donald H. Harrison]
22 Youths at Congregation Beth Israel Earn Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — “The Koren Lev Ladaat Humash – Bemidbar” is a superb Bible commentary that is very enlightening. It is filled with information. It prompts readers to think and better understand the Bible. It has clear easy-to-see Hebrew text with the highly acclaimed Koren font and the readable
A Book That Prompts Us to Think Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This Shabbat we have the opportunity to connect with our “inner Aaron.” Aaron was the brother of Moses and held the position of High Priest (Kohen Gadol). That is, he and his sons were charged with ultimate responsibility for the spiritual services in the tabernacle such as bringing
Parshiot Chukat and Balak: Pursuing Peace Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — All we know about Shlomo ben Yitzchak of Troyes, France, known as Rashi, are his writings. We know no facts about his life. Much has been written about him, but it is all legends. It is commonly thought, for example, that he was born in the
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Talk about misunderstanding what leadership is all about. No, I’m not talking about the current election and divisiveness we see everywhere. I’m talking about Korach’s lust for power and material wealth, and what we know authority and leadership truly call for, the richness of spiritual sensitivity. Korach’s style
Parashat Korach: Lessons on Leadership Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The Hallmark Channel premiered on Saturday night, June 17, The Wedding Contract, a movie about a Jewish wedding that might have given viewers some wrong ideas about ketubahs. Adam (Jake Epstein) and Rebecca (Becca Tobin) joke about putting this or that into their ketubah, but they, like most Jewish couples, sign a traditional, off-the-shelf document. [Donald H. Harrison]
Hallmark Channel Highlights Jewish Customs in ‘The Wedding Contract’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Theatre, Film & Broadcast