By 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
By Teresa Konopka SAN DIEGO — Life is no walk in the park. Every one of us deals with some sort of misfortune sooner or later. From financial to professional to romantic to medical, people experience all sorts of sorrows. These can take the form of bankruptcy, layoff, being dumped, becoming gravely ill, losing a
The Paradox of Suffering Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Teresa_Konopka
OneTable is thrilled to announce the launch of its brand-new User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX), marking a significant milestone in the organization’s journey to provide its Shabbat dinner hosts and guests with the best digital experience possible. In celebration of reaching a remarkable 100,000 Shabbat dinners hosted on the platform, OneTable collaborated with users
A New User Interface and User Experience to Celebrate 100,000 OneTable Shabbats Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy (Proud Papa) Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s parasha is a landmark in Torah’s teaching in contemporary psychology. And a beautiful landmark, B”H, in our family. This Shabbat our youngest grandson’s, Jacob and Max Mantell, will IY”H, become b’nei mitzvah. And it is also the auf ruf of our oldest grandson,
Parashat Shelach: The Link is What You Think Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Young Israel of San Diego has progressed from renter to landlord in the small shopping center diagonally across from the trailhead of Cowles Mountain in the San Carlos neighborhood. Rabbi Eddie Rosenberg says the turnaround in the small Orthodox congregation’s fortunes was “miraculous.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Young Israel Moved from Tenant to Landlord in San Carlos Neighborhood Read More »
Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s Torah reading, Behaalotecha, appears to be the basis of one of my mother’s oft-repeated sayings, “Keep complaining and I’ll really give you something to complain about.” Seems the Israelites grew tired of their monotonous diet of manna, pining for the fish and other foods they
Parashat Behaalotecha: Stop Complaining! Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
His parents’ diverse cultural backgrounds “in one way were symbiotic and, in others, very separate, Nevarez reflected. “At different times in my life, I was uncomfortable about them; I didn’t know how to wed the two.” Later in life, however, “I have not only embraced it; it has actually extended my capacity to do what I do in the world, which is my rabbinate, and to be able to be in a relationship with different cultures and ethnicities because of my background.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Reform Rabbi Draws on His Jewish and Latino Heritage Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego CountyBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In this week’s parasha, Naso, we are introduced to the Birkat Kohanim, the “Priestly Blessing.” We’re all familiar with it. We’ve heard it said, recited it ourselves, and given it to others, many times: “May the Lord bless you and watch over you. יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָֹ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ: May
Parashat Naso: The Blessings Inside of Adversity Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — I understand that Jewish laws are valuable because they help us learn how to behave and improve ourselves and society. “Values in Halakha” is by Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein (1933-2015). He was an eminent rabbinic scholar and teacher who served as one of the heads of
What is the Value of Jewish Laws? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — There was a time when an invitation to a wedding or even a party would arrive in the post, artistically embellished, in an envelope with a stamp, plus a smaller card on which to confirm one’s participation in the event, and information about the time, date, and place.
Ceremonies and Celebrations Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
At the dedication on Sunday, considerable symbolism was found in a Cohen (believed to be descended from the priests of ancient Judaism) to have built an Ark at a synagogue named after “Betzalel,” which in addition to being the name of Rabbi Trestman’s father also was the name of the person identified in the Book of Exodus as the man who built the Ark of the Covenant, with the help of Oholiab. [Donald H. Harrison]
Eagle Scout Builds an Aron Kodesh for Chabad Congregation Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County