Judaism

Parashat Bo: Overcoming Your Fears

When Hashem directs Moses, “come to Pharaoh,” He is saying “come to Me.” The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches in a parable that He is saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am here behind the screen. All the tests are just from me. With everything you do, you’re getting closer to Me. I am the good found in all the struggle. Come to Me and I will take you high above the darkness of this world, and then I will show you how I was really with you the whole time.” In essence he is suggesting the famous FEAR acronym “Face Everything and Rise,” rather than “Forget Everything and Run.” [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Holocaust Refuge at Fort Ontario, New York, Recalled

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was too concerned about negative public opinion to take the leadership on finding refuge in the United States for European Jewry during the early years of the Holocaust, scholar Lawrence Baron told a bruncheon audience at Tifereth Israel Synagogue on Sunday. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA

A Case of Theological Thuggery in Israel

Horrifying statement from a newly elected MK: “Our banner is one of unambiguous war on progress. The status-quo has to be changed, ensuring that Judaism is acknowledged in every corner of the life of the State. Israel will be a country that observes the Sabbath in public, homosexual families will not be given recognition, and women will not serve in the army; their contribution will be to marry and produce a family. We will not be like countries that are for all their citizens. Heaven forfend. The values of Judaism supersede all individual rights. Look, I’m getting tools and budgets, I’m here to work, and we will clean up the public systems. Watch me, I’m patient, this is just the beginning of the beginning.” [Dorothea Sherfer-Vanson]

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Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Jewish Religion, Opinion

County Supervisors to Vote Jan. 24 on Funding Holocaust Exhibit

“The exhibit … aims to combat bigotry and hate by investing in greater education and understanding of the history of hate and racism towards the Jewish community and other victims of the Holocaust,” Fletcher continued.  “The United States Institute of Peace emphasizes the role that memorialization plays in reconstructing social fabric and relations following conflict.  It is important that the initiative is led by those with personal connections to the Holocaust, as well as with the San Diego community, to encourage authentic representation and meaningful engagement.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County

Obscure Items in Parasaha Va-ayra (Exodus 6:2-9:35)

The Bible commentator Don Isaac Abarbanel (1437-1508) suggests that God wanted the Israelites to borrow objects from Egyptians to give the Egyptians an additional reason to pursue the Israelites when they realized they were trying to escape. God, according to Abarbanel, wanted the Egyptians to rush into the water to catch the Israelites, where they would be punished by drowning. They killed Israelite male children and tossed the carcasses in the river. Now they will be thrown. Is this how we want to picture God acting? [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Six Remaining Holocaust Presentations in UCSD Library Series

Beginning at 5 p.m. tonight, there will be six presentations in UCSD Library’s Holocaust Living History Workshop series, an education and outreach program cosponsored by the Jewish Studies program that aims to preserve the memories of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.   [Press Release]

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California, Holocaust, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Archaeologists Find Evidence of Asian Trade Route Through Israel in 8th Century

“Our findings seem to provide the first evidence that there was also an ‘Israeli Silk Road’ used by merchants along the international trading routes. This route branched off from the traditional Silk Route that passed to the north of Israel, crossing the Arava and connecting to the main historical trade routes that crossed the country, as well as to the main ports of Gaza and Ashkelon that served a major gateways to the Mediterranean world.”

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International, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, Travel and Food

Parashat Va’eira: Facing Life’s Challenges

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Oy gevalt! Evictions, pleading to “let My people go,” magic staffs, plagues, hardened hearts…read all this and enjoy a peaceful Shabbat? By now we’ve learned that whatever happens in our lives always happens for our benefits. Let’s look at the lessons in this week’s Torah reading, the 14th

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Woke Intolerance and the Canceling of the Father of the Georgia Peach Industry

By Jerry Klinger National Public Radio reported a story that was frankly, flabbergasting, a big word meaning — you have got to be kidding. An office within the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work says it is removing the term “field” from its curriculum because it may have racist connotations related to slavery.

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Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, USA

StandWithUs’ Rabbis United to Hold Inaugural Conference January 30 in Southern California

LOS ANGELES (Press Release) — Rabbis United, a division of StandWithUs, is proud to announce its inaugural conference to be held January 30, 2023, at Sinai Temple in Los Angeles. Rabbis from all denominations are coming together to spend the day learning from expert speakers about the antisemitic challenges of our times, and creative, inspiring

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California, Jewish Religion