By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Human nature leads us to believe what we think is correct in our own eyes – “hayashar be-einav.” This week’s psychologically insightful portion however, tells us that what we would be wiser to do is to follow what is correct in the eyes of Hashem, “hayashar be-einei Hashem,” […]
Parashat Re’eh: Is Seeing Really Believing? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The seven astronauts reflected American diversity. They included Air Force Lt. Col. Dick Scobee, the spacecraft’s commander; Navy Cmdr. Michael J. Smith; electrical engineer Gregory Jarvis; physicist Ronald McNair, the second African-American in space; and these three “firsts”: Air Force Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuga, the first Japanese-American in space; Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space; and Judy Resnik, the first Jewish woman in space. [Donald H. Harrison]
Middle School Remembers Jewish Astronaut Judith Resnik and Challenger Crew Mates Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Parshat Eikev 5783 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — “The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact,” a book by Chip and Dan Heath (New York Times Bestseller, 2017), highlights the fact that not all moments are created equal. Throughout our lives, we encounter various experiences, some of which hold deep
The Significance of Moments Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — There are multiple changes in spellings and repetitions in Deuteronomy. This contradicts Rabbi Akiva’s view that God dictated the Torah to Moses, even every letter. He claimed that God is perfect and has no need to repeat what is communicated. If there is a change in
Disobedience to God’s Ways Has Consequences Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Gedaliah Borvick JERUSALEM — “Hope and optimism, the ability to adapt and transform ourselves, and the commitment to sustain our dreams, are the real keys to survival . . . but throughout it all, we must also have a Jewish homeland to keep us safe.” These are the values, penned by daughter Danna, that buoyed
Clutching Our Dreams Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, International, Israel, Jewish History, USABy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — We’ve all heard inspirational messages, stories that lead to a few moments of emotional response. But for a story to lead to lasting impact, to change the course of our behavior, we must see that story as connecting to the very foundation of our life’s purpose, what many
Parashat Eikev: Connecting to Our ‘North Star’ Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Between the time a Jew utters the Vidui (confessional prayer) on his or her deathbed and is buried in any of seven Jewish areas at El Camino Memorial Park, there is a flurry of activity involving groups of people intent on complying with Jewish rituals for the proper treatment of the deceased. [Donald H. Harrison]
From Death to Burial: A Jewish Ceremonial Primer Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyParshat Va’etchanan / Shabbat Nachamu 5783 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — Another Tisha B’Av has come and gone…The Jewish people are still in a deep exile…Jerusalem has yet to be rebuilt…to put it lightly — it is exhausting! Every Tisha B’Av, we sit on the floor mourning the destruction of Yerushalayim and
Finding Comfort in Our Unity Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Wow! Talk about a special Shabbat. First, this is Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Comfort, based on the first verse of the Haftarah reading that says, “Console, console my people, says your G-d.” This, of course, follows Tisha B’Av in which we deeply re-experienced a litany of tragedies
Parashat Va’etchanan/Shabbat Nachamu: Comfort at a Time of Hardship Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
When the position of ADL Regional Director opened with the departure of Tammy Gillies, Perlov said she felt motivated to apply for the job, to which she was appointed last October. “With antisemitism being at historic high levels, I felt like I could not stand on the side and not put my experience forward,” she said. [Donald H. Harrison]
ADL’s Perlov Has History of Fostering Inter-Communal Relations Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County
Evans works in a laboratory bequeathed to him by his colleague and mentor, the late discoverer of the polio vaccine, Jonas Salk. In one research project, Evans and his team studied the impact of exercise on a body’s genetic makeup. They found that exercise will activate a cascade of genes that prompt the body to produce a chemical form of energy known at ATP (adenosine triphosphate). [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Scientist Who Inherited Jonas Salk’s Office Unlocks Secrets of Hormones Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Contributors and creators of Maggid Comics, a new monthly magazine collection of Jewish-themed comics, pondered during a Comic-Con panel Friday such questions as what Jewish stories are, and which, among them, are their favorites. [Donald H. Harrison]
Comic-Con Panel: What are Jewish Stories? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Judaism, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Travel and Food, USA
Descendants of two well-known Jewish graphic artists shared stories about their forebears during back-to-back panels Thursday, July 20, at the Comic-Con convention. [Donald H. Harrison]
Comic-Con: Two Artists’ Descendants Recall Their Forebears’ Storied Careers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
Retirement date was June 30th and almost immediately, the South African native traveled to a retreat center at Kfar Blum, Israel, for a family reunion that brought together relatives from various parts of the English-speaking world. Having just returned to San Diego, her most immediate task is training her Hillel successor, Danielle Botvin, but beyond that she is looking forward to “learning how to chill – I’m not good at that.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Glenda Sacks Retires after Serving San Diego’s Jewish Community for 36 Years Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA