Retired pediatric dentist Dr. Bruce Baker of San Diego was sentenced in federal court Monday to 15 months in custody for evading over $644,000 in taxes as part of a brazen, decade’s long tax-evasion scheme with former Chabad of Poway Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein. [U.S. Attorney’s Office news release]
Dentist Sentenced in Chabad of Poway Fraud Case Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
A pair of ‘We Are the Tree of Life’ programs, May 27, with Ali Viterbi interviewing Francesco Lotoro, and June 1, with Nuvi Mehta and Kate Hatmaker introducing nine Holocaust composers, were both impressive and informative. [Eileen Wingard]
Holocaust music showcased during ‘We Are the Tree of Life’ Programs Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
What was Korach openly displaying about himself when he was criticizing Moshe and Aaron? I believe he was saying, “It’s all about me.” He demonstrated what self-absorption and evil are all about. Korach could have been a vehicle of Hashem’s words. But he certainly was not. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Korach Thought Only of Himself; Are Others Like Him Today? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
You can imagine my shock when the recent attacks on Jews in LA and NYC, coupled with the surge of uncloaked violent antisemitism were not enough to elicit even one response from my many non-Jewish friends and faith partners. Their silence has been deafening. [Rabbi Jason Nevarez]
Non-Jews Should Condemn Outbreak of Antisemitism Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA
In the June 6, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, highlights include:
–An Israeli Covid-19 treatment cures 10 severely ill patients in one day.
–An Israeli study proves that being positive can increase longevity.
–An Israeli airline is commencing flights to Marrakesh.
–Israelis have developed synthetic spider silk and “no-bee” honey.
–Foreign tourist group tours to Israel have restarted.
–The first Israeli woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
–Take a hi-tech look inside Jerusalem’s refurbished Tower of David Museum.
(Michael Ordman0
Good News from Israel (June 6, 2021) Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
Bar-Giora Goldberg’s The Mind is Mightier: Reflections on the Historic Rise of Cognition and Complexity offers a novel and panoramic view about the cognitive evolution of the human race—not an easy topic, but it is one that the author transforms into an exciting intellectual journey. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
How Humans Mentally Shape Our World Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced on Thursday the development of a new phone app to help members of law enforcement be more culturally sensitive when they have interactions with any of 12 ethnic and religious groups. The dozen groups include 1) African American Youth; Asian; Chaldean; East African/ Somali; East African/ Somali Youth; Karen/ Karenni (from Burma); Latinx Youth; Mexican and Mexican American; Muslim; Native Americans, Samoans, and Vietnamese. It was not deemed necessary to include Jews among the groups, but I think this was a mistake. [Donald H. Harrison]
App Unveiled to Help Law Enforcement Be More Culturally Sensitive Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
By Liam Aron JERUSALEM — In his book The Big Leap, bestselling author and successful life coach Gay Hendricks outlines something he calls the Upper Limit problem. “Many people go through life,” he writes, “believing that they only deserve a certain amount of happiness and success. This is known as an ‘upper-limit mindset.’” Hendricks writes
The ‘Big Leap’ Soul Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Judaism
This prose extract from Joshua described as the work of ‘Former Prophets.’ It tells of an alleged event en route toward the conquest of Jericho as inserted by the Deuteronomist writer(s). [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Haftorah for June 5, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
In this memoir, nonagenarian Michael G. Kesler tells how as a teenager, he escaped both forced service in the Soviet Army and the Nazi invasion of his Polish home town by hopping trains with his older sister Luba eastward to the Soviet Asian republics where they both found productive work. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Survivor’s Trek Through Europe and the U.S. Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Travel and Food
Isaac Herzog, former Minister, Chairman of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition, was elected by the Knesset (parliament) to serve as Israel’s 11th President. Herzog currently serves as the Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel. Herzog was elected with the support of 87 out of the 120 Members of Knesset and his tenure will begin on July 9th. [News Release from office of Isaac Herzog]
Isaac Herzog Elected as Israel’s 11th President Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East
I am who I am thanks to Shabbat. Due to this biblically mandated institution, I have peace of mind, a flourishing community, a great relationship with my family and a career where I traverse the country singing its praises. All this benefit for just taking a day off! The Torah emphasizes Shabbat more than any other ritual because it provides the most profound physical, financial and emotional evidence that one is serious about a relationship with God. [Sam Glaser]
Erika Hecht’s mother had herself and Erika converted from Judaism to Catholicism to protect them from discovery by the Nazis or their Hungarian allies, the Arrow Cross. Erika was enrolled in Catholic school, where she learned her catechism, but she remained aware of her Jewish parentage — especially since she remained close to her father and paternal grandmother. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Family’s Anguish after Converting as Catholics during Nazi Era Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish HistoryFear, “false expectations appearing real,” puts the brakes on a good life. Faith, “fear ain’t in this house” takes the brakes off and promotes a more enjoyable life. This week, Sh’lach reminds us just how powerful and limiting fear can be. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Fear Not, This Week’s Torah Portion Advises Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell