Haftorah Reading for Vayikra is I Samuel 15:2-34. By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — This short, mainly prose, passage competes with one from Isaiah 43:21-44:23, which in Etz Hayim is the common accompanying passage to the Torah portion Vayikra. It was placed in the Conservative calendar of 2022 by contemporary rabbis to accompany
Haftorah for March 12, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week we begin a new book of the Torah, Sefer Vayikra, the book of Leviticus, and we read the Torah reading by the same name, Parashat Vayikra. In addition, this Shabbat we read from a second Sefer Torah since it is Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of Memory, the Shabbat observed before Purim. The
Parashat Vayikra/Shabbat Zachor: Seeking Forgiveness and Repairing Damage Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Enthralled by the stories Cysner told, Harris immediately asked the UC Santa Barbara History Department if she could change her dissertation subject so that it could be based upon Cysner’s experiences, both in Poland, where he was a prisoner of the Nazis, and in the Philippines, where he later became a prisoner of the Japanese. The department agreed, even though this meant changing Harris’ academic advisor and the schedule of courses to which she would commute from her home in San Diego. [Donald H. Harrison]
Cantor’s Archive Led to Book on Philippine Rescue of European Jews Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Urim Publications in Jerusalem and New York has just published Faith Fulfilled: Megillat Esther and The Maariv Evening Service for Purim with Commentary from the Writings of Rabbi Eliezer Berkovits. It is compiled and edited by Rabbi Dr. Reuven Mohl. The book is excellent. Rabbi Berkovits’
A Scholarly Rabbi Comments on the Book of Esther and More Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — It’s taken four parshiot to arrive here, winding our way through Terumah, Teztzaveh, Ki Tisa and Vayakhel to Pekudei and the completion of the prototype of our synagogue. As it says, “In the first month of the second year, on the first of the month, the Tabernacle
Parashat Pekudei: The Purpose of Our Modern-Day Synagogue Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
“A Jewish Bestiary: Fabulous Creatures from Hebraic Legend & Lore,” by Mark Podwal; The Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, PA, ©2021; ISBN 9780271091730; 70 pages, plus bibliography; $14.86. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Close contact between animals and humans, according to the Hebrew Bible, happened soon after creation: God brought them before
‘Jewish Bestiary’ Unpacks the Actual and Mystical Roles Animals Play in Our Lives Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
A Persian Passover by Etan Basseri (Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh); Moosic, Pennsylvania: Kalaniot Books, © 2022; ISBN 9781735-087566; 32 pages including glossary; $19.99. SAN DIEGO – The red-cheeked children on the cover of this charming little story are Ezra, who likes to run, and his little sister, Roza, who adores her big brother. Unfortunately, Ezra
Children’s Literature: Pesach in 1950’s Iran Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
A free-floating melody is in the ether; however, no one listens to it. The melody needs a sense of purpose. [Book review by Donald H. Harrison’
Children’s Literature: The Torah Is Like a Melody Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionHaftorah Reading for PeKudei is I Kings 7:51-8:21 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — This short passage, essentially all in prose, describes the end of the Temple construction, followed by a procession to bring forth the Ark for placement in the Holy of Holies. This was followed by a dedication statement by Solomon,
Haftorah for March 5, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Even with the major portion of the old saltworks being repurposed, one still can see how salt is processed from sea water. A three-step process occurs within shallow ponds with levees around them. In the first pond, seawater evaporates to the point that it becomes brine. That is moved to a second shallow pond for further evaporation, and finally into a third pond where the salt crystallizes. From here the salt is dredged out of the pond and made into salt mounds, which quickly crust over, protecting the salt inside the mounds. [Donald H. Harrison]
Schlepping and Schmoozing Along the Interstate 5: Chapter 9 Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and FoodHaftorah Reading for Vayakhel is 2 Kings 12:1-17 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — An inspection for the assigned Haftorah for this Torah portion shows that in some years, rabbis chose a different text. In the year 2022, it is the text above. This short passage is all prose, and to this reader
Haftorah for February 26, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
The book starts with how our senses perceive matzah. What are its ingredients? What does it look like? What color is it? What is its texture? How does it sound when it is being boiled in matzoh ball soup? How does it smell when its being baked into an apple matzah kugel? What kind of yummy foods can you spread on it? [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Literature: ‘Matzah Means So Many Things’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This special week, on Shabbat Shekalim, we read parashat Vayakhel. This is the first of several Shabbatot leading to Passover, including Shabbat Zachor (April 12, 9 Adar II), Shabbat Parah (April 26, 23 Adar II), Shabbat HaChodesh (April 2, 1 Nissan) and Shabbat HaGadol (April 9, 8
Parashat Vayakhel/Shabbat Shekalim: The Power of Community Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Susan Lisker recently gave the following Drash (sermon) at Ohr Shalom Synagogue. This month is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). By Susan Lisker SAN DIEGO — The Parasha for this week is Tetzaveh. It means you will command (or order). The word is from the Hebrew root TZ(adik), V(av), H(ei). It’s also
Disability Awareness: Going Further to Make This a Better World Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County