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 & Satire
By 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
Then, the first siren rang. We were bewildered and befuddled but the amazing hotel staff shuffled us into the basement along with the other hotel guests. In my imagination, this was just another one-day scuffle. Such is what passes for “peacetime” in this part of the world, I thought. [Shoshana McKinney]
Ugandan-American Tells of Fateful October Visit to Israel Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Shoshana McKinney, Travel and FoodBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Thanksgiving. No, not the holiday that comes this week on November 23. Rather, what the Torah portion we read this week, Vayeitzei, teaches us about giving thanks. The root letters of “odeh” – “I will give thanks,” form the basis of the name that Leah chose for
Parashat Vayeitzei: Thanksgiving Meets the Torah Portion Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
There is a special Jewish custom that in the months leading up to the delivery, the father opens up the Aron Kodesh to bring out the Sefer Torah. The Zohar says, “When the congregation takes out the Torah Scroll, the Heavenly Gates of Mercy are opened, and G‑d’s love is aroused.” The husband opening the Gates of Heaven hopefully elicits G‑d’s merciful blessing that the birth be easy and without complications. [Rabbi Yehuda Trestman]
Bais Betzalel Chabad Celebrates Its First Bris Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
The life of the late former state Assemblyman Howard Wayne was remembered by approximately 150 friends and relatives on Saturday, Nov. 18, as one exemplified by a sharp wit and a deep understanding of government and politics. [Donald H. Harrison]
Life of Howard Wayne Remembered for His Wit and Knowledge Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County
Born in Poland in 1917 and emigrated to Palestine at the age of eight, Rabbi Goren was a brilliant, colorful, and sometimes controversial, Talmudist and halakhist. Young Shlomo Goren was a prodigy: at the tender age of twelve, he began his formal Talmud studies as the youngest student ever at Jerusalem’s Hebron Yeshiva and he published the first of many books when he was just seventeen years old. [Gedaliah Borvick]
The Man for Whom Ma’alot Harav Shlomo Goren Was Named Read More »
Gedaliah Borvick, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
I hope that Israel is successful wiping out Hamas as a military and a political force. Thereafter, I hope that Israel will not let the situation stagnate but will build upon its victory by fostering in Gaza humanitarian aid and beneficial governance. [Donald H. Harrison]
After the War, Efforts at Reconciliation Must be Launched Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle EastWhen my father was in Auschwitz, the Nazi commander Amon Geothe told him the world will forget about how the Nazis killed six million Jews. Unfortunately, he was right. (Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel)
Colleges are Building a Generation of Frankenstein’s Monsters Read More »
Holocaust, Israel, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Cynthia Wynn Taylor Citron, born September 16, 1934, in Boston, died November 11, 2023, in New York, of pneumonia and old age. For nearly 20 years she was a well known theater critic in Los Angeles, writing for the Santa Monica Daily Press, San Diego Jewish World (for which she served as L.A. County Bureau
Los Angeles Theater Critic, San Diego Jewish World Contributor Cynthia Citron Dies at 89 Read More »
California, Obituaries & memorials, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Shabbat Toldot 5784 By Rabbi Daniel Reich LA JOLLA, California — After many years of being barren, praying, and pleading with Hashem to please grant them children, Rivka and Yitzchak were finally blessed with the expectation of twin boys! One can only imagine the unfiltered joy; how elated Rivka and Yitzchak felt. The feeling of
The Protection of Torah Read More »
Daniel Reich-Rabbi, Jewish Religion