Philo’s treatment of the Joseph trilogy is unique in many respects. Not only does he explain the peshat–the contextual meaning of the biblical text—he also spends considerable time developing the psychological portrayal of the various biblical personalities in a style that makes the entire narrative seem almost contemporary. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Joseph and the Power of Conscience Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Hanukkah, Oh, Hanukkah,
Things are getting better.
Last year our party
Was a super spreader. … [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Parody: A Happy Hanukkah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Federation is committed to recognizing and addressing antisemitism, and this year we are part of a national campaign to “Shine A Light” on antisemitism. Here in San Diego we are engaging non-Jewish clergy in dialogue around antisemitism and working to strengthen “allyship” across the region. [Heidi Gantwerk]
Local Christian Ministers Unite Against Antisemitism Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
This short all-prose episode describes a famous story c. 965 BCE attributed to the rule of King Solomon. It is about his wise determination of the rightful mother of a son, for whom two prostitutes competed. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah for December 4, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Many people, if not most of them, are convinced that they know quite a lot about God and the people mentioned in the Bible. They would be surprised and some even angry to discover that most if not all that the Bible states about them is obscure. It clearly wants us to think about all that is in scripture and to act properly. The following are some examples about God: [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What We Don’t Know about God’s Behavior Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Let’s examine some of the abnormal and/or misleading terms which our enemies have managed to implant in the public’s mind about the situation here: “East Jerusalem,” “West Bank,” “Palestinians.” [Steve Kramer]
How Names Influence Middle Eastern Politics and Reporting Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Steve Kramer
After two weeks in California, with all its delights and attractions, it is a relief to be back in the humble abode that is our home in Israel. In California everything, or almost everything, is large. Most of the homes we visited are grand, the people generous and hospitable, and the wide streets and huge stores provide an array of goods and facilities that keep the mind on constant alert for the next attractive bargain or delightful display. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
California Here I Leave Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Middle East, USA
Yiddishland, a La Jolla nonprofit dedicated to spreading knowledge of Yiddish and Yiddishkeit, has issued a guide to help people determine what level of Yiddish speaker they are. [SDJW]
Yiddishland Offering Classes, Songs, to Teach Yiddish Read More »
International, Judaism, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
The ATARA organization and Spotlight on Women have joined forces to create the Jewish Women’s Chanukah Playlist 2021 Channel on YouTube, featuring music videos exclusively from Torah-observant (Orthodox) female artists from around the world. [Toby Klein Greenwald]
A YouTube Channel featuring Jewish Women Performers Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
It was Chanuka, 1986. I had arrived at the Gorky Prison in June. In September I was sentenced to three years of hard labor. As the time drew close for my appeal, to be held in Moscow, Chanuka also drew near. [Ari Volvovsky]
The Miraculous Bread Menorah: Celebrating Chanukah in a Russian Prison Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Toby Klein Greenwald
Even the most thought-out plans can be derailed by a last-minute change, especially when a leader falls ill. This wasn’t true for the Chabad of East County on Sunday, Nov. 28, though, as they pulled off their first night of Hanukkah event at the El Cajon Civic Center without a hitch, despite the absence of Rabbi Rafi Andrusier and his wife Chaya, who tested positive for COVID-19 the day before. [Elijah McKee, East County Magazine]
Despite Organizer’s COVID Absence, Chanukah Celebration Goes On Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joe Gandelman, San Diego County
In the year since Facebook banned Holocaust denial from its platform and finally classified it as hate speech instead of “misinformation,” a new ADL (Anti-Defamation League) analysis of the platform has found “cracks in enforcement” that have allowed Holocaust denial posts to still be accessible to many users. [Anti-Defamation League]
ADL: Facebook Still Permitting Some Holocaust Denial Posts Read More »
International, Jewish History, USAMost people do not attempt to define words, even words they use daily, such as religion, spirituality, and the various words used to describe God. As a result, they usually have only misconceptions about God. The following are some words used to describe God in Judaism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What we don’t know about God’s names Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
In early July, I set out with colleagues of the High Atlas Foundation—a U.S. and Moroccan non-for-profit organization—to meet with agricultural cooperatives in Morocco to understand their needs and goals and create action plans toward lasting development. Along the way, we visited Jewish and Christian cemeteries, and met their caretakers and neighboring community members to discover their heritage stories. [Yossef Ben-Meir]
Moroccan Cemeteries Waiting to be Visited and Remembered Read More »
International, Jewish History, Travel and Food, Yossef Ben-Meir