This week we continue in the Book of Numbers with the second portion, Naso, which means Count. It begins by continuing the census of the Levitical families started in our reading last week. In the course of this portion we come across a couple of very interesting, and frankly, somewhat ‘exotic’ commandments, Sota and Nazir. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Sota and Nazir Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
Roman Kent, a leading voice among Holocaust survivors who negotiated billions of dollars in compensation for Jewish Holocaust survivors from the German government, passed away early Friday morning at age 92. [Press Release from Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany]
Roman Kent, Survivor and Claims Conference Negotiator, Dies at 92 Read More »
International, Jewish History, USA
The stories from Genesis and Exodus are familiar to anyone who has read the Bible or attended Sunday school, but in making the stories more interesting for children, author Shalev, not unlike the midrash writers of old, has invented some very plausible dialogue. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Literature: Bible Stories Retold Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, author of The Candy Man Mystery, is primarily known as a Jewish educator having served as a dean at the Hebrew Union College—Jewish Institute of Religion and as a vice president of the Wexner Heritage Foundation. Perhaps, however, he was remembering his 15 years at Congregation Beth Israel in West Hartford, Connecticut, when he wrote The Candy Man Mystery, a book likely to intrigue elementary school-aged children about synagogue Judaism. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Literature: The Candy Man Mystery Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
The catchy slogan that is chanted so ardently by supposedly well-intentioned human beings in demonstrations being held around the world, ‘Palestine shall be free, from the river to the sea,’ is in effect a call for the destruction of Israel. And that, of course, is what the terrorist organization of Hamas wants to achieve. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
‘River to the Sea’? That Means ‘Eradicate Israel’ Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Middle East
This short simplistic prose passage, from the time of the Judges [1], deals with an angel’s message. It is that the un-named wife of Minoah, both minor figures, was to bear a child. The child is Samson, who will be a lifelong Nazarite. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]
Notes on Torah Reading for May 22, 2021 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
In this week’s parasha, Naso, the longest in the Torah, we are introduced to the Birkat Kohanim, the “Priestly Blessing.” We’re all familiar with it. We’ve heard it said, recited it ourselves, and offered it to others, many times: (Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D)
A Deeper Look at Judaism’s Priestly Blessing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
“From Africa to Zion” is a remarkable memoir that takes us from the author’s childhood in a rural Ethiopian village without electricity or running water through his perilous journey to a crowded, multi-ethnic refugee camp in the Sudan, where disease and crime were rampant, and onto his arrival to the modern world of Israel, in which his family were initially mystified by such conveniences as toilets and refrigerators. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Jewish Odyssey from Ethiopia to Israel and Back Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East
NETANYA, Israel — In the May 16, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
–US doctors use an Israeli device to remove blood clots from stroke patients.
–Israel has sent tons of coronavirus aid to India.
–4 top multinationals are expanding Israeli hi-tech operations.
–Israeli innovators are turning CO2 emissions into an energy source.
–Israel’s economy continues to improve.
–An Israeli has won France’s top literary prize.
–The festival of Shavuot is uniting Israelis, just as it did 3,333 years ago
[Michael Ordman]
Good News from Israel (May 16, 2021) Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, USA
A century has passed and nothing has changed. It is a depressing thought that nothing seems to have changed in the last hundred years in regard to Arab/Jewish relations in Israel/Palestine. [Lloyd Levy]
Arab-Jewish Strife Repeats That of a Century Ago Read More »
Jewish History, Lloyd Levy, Middle East
There is no shortage of places in Valley Center that would qualify for an official government historic register. Yet, not a single home, building or site has ever been recognized on any local, regional or federal government official list of sites, buildings, structures or objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historic significance. Only signs reading “Site of Historic Interest” appear on many properties, all installed by the Valley Center Historical Society.
That is about to change. [Robert Lerner]
Local ranch poised for historic status Read More »
Jewish History, San Diego CountyThis week we begin the fourth of the five books of the Torah, the book of BaMidbar. BaMidbar means ‘In the Desert.’ It is also called Sefer HaPikudim, which translates as the Book of Numbers. The portion has the same name as the book itself. It is telling that this portion is read before the holiday of Shavuot, which comes out this year Sunday night through Tuesday night. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: Standing Together Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
At a ceremony hosted by the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center (BYHMC), Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmygal, the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andrii Yermak and Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko honored Ukrainians who saved Jews during the Holocaust and announced that those still alive will receive a lifelong monthly state stipend, in recognition of their heroism. [News Release from Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center]
Ukraine Announces Stipends for Life for Holocaust Rescuers Read More »
International, Jewish History
It brings me great pleasure to announce that the Chula Vista Public Library is now open and that the RUTH (Remember Us The Holocaust) exhibit has been extended through December 2021. [Sandy Scheller]
Chula Vista Public Library Extends Holocaust Exhibit Read More »
International, Jewish History, San Diego County, USA