Judaism

On Jewish Unity and Antisemitism 

The editor of one of the papers where I write regular op-eds requested more information on my message that if Jews are not united, they bring on themselves antisemitism. Specifically, he wanted to know my sources for making this argument so insistently. He is correct; people need to know where ideas come from, especially ones that are hard to swallow. Therefore, I have decided to write a series of articles that explain where Jews come from and why they have always been hated, with a few brief exceptions that also didn’t end well. [Michael Laitman]

On Jewish Unity and Antisemitism  Read More »

Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021)

NETANYA, Israel — In the March 7, 2021 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

90% of Israel’s high-risk citizens are now protected against Covid-19.
The first woman-led billion-dollar Israeli company.
The UAE’s first Ambassador to Israel arrived in the Jewish State.
An Israeli kit transforms tractors into self-driving vehicles.
Israel is one of the world’s leaders in telecommuting.
An Israeli chess competition attracted players from many Muslim countries including Iran.
Israeli superheroes brought joy to sick children on the Jewish festival of Purim [Michael Ordman]

Good News from Israel (March 7, 2021) Read More »

International, Jewish Religion, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Facing Reality – Who Really Designed You?

With a new administration in America have come many new changes.  One that is causing a lot of controversy is the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.  Particularly, there has been a lot of backlash from biologically born females who say that competing against biologically born males (regardless of how said persons identity) is unfair.  Even after transitioning, male bodies still retain advantages of muscle mass, bone density, and testosterone levels [1].  [Teresa Konopka]

Facing Reality – Who Really Designed You? Read More »

Jewish Religion, Teresa_Konopka

A Word of Torah: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

The Cohanim (priestly class) were given a very strict commandment to wash their hands and feet using the laver before entering the Holy Temple to do their service. The implement that they used to wash was called the Kiyor, and it was made of copper. The commentaries mention the source of the copper used, which in and of itself is interesting, as only a couple of the sources for the materials used in construction are traced back to their origins. This indicates that there is something significant in the source of the material In the case of the Kiyor the source, we are told, was the mirrors used by the Jewish women to beautify themselves during the times of the Egyptian slavery. The men would return from a day of back-breaking labor in the fields. They were physically and emotionally exhausted. These selfsame people had seen their babies murdered. Marital intimacy was the last thing on their minds. In fact, they were reticent to have any more children at all, lest they too become victimized by the evil tyrants. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A Word of Torah: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall Read More »

Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

How can we discern God?

Let’s begin with a question. How could Moshe, who experienced the closest relationship with Hashem, facing the Burning Bush, the ten plagues, receiving the ten commandments and more, still ask, “And now, if I have indeed found favor in Your eyes, pray let me know Your ways, so that I may know You…” Moshe didn’t feel he knew the ways of Hashem? And WE feel troubled by our own questions about Hashem? [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]

How can we discern God? Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

The Codes Used by Right-Wing Extremists

HAIFA, Israel (Press Release) – A new study authored by Dr. Gabriel Weimann, a professor of communication at University of Haifa and web intelligence analyst Ari Ben-Am has revealed the existence of a new coded language on social media being used by anti-Semitic groups to fly under the radar of artificial intelligence-designed algorithms. This sophisticated

The Codes Used by Right-Wing Extremists Read More »

International, Jewish History, Middle East, USA

National Trust to Honor Rosenwald Schools

January 13, 2021 was an extraordinary day in the history of the United States.  President Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time.  The House acted with blazing swiftness, something they almost never do. It had only been one week from when a huge mob of demonstrators attacked, penetrated, and threatened the Capitol.   As Congress voted to impeach President Trump for inciting insurrection, President Trump continued his presidential duties. He signed last-minute legislation that would positively impact the fight against antisemitism, for women’s and human rights, education, the environment, and more. One of the bills the President signed was HR 3250. It is known as the Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act of 2020. [Jerry Klinger]

National Trust to Honor Rosenwald Schools Read More »

Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, USA

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 17-23, 2021) 

SAN DIEGO – Following are Jewish-interest programs intended for academic and lay audiences that may be accessed via the Internet All times are Pacific Standard Time. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]

Streaming Jewish Programs (January 17-23, 2021)  Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Book Review: Esther in America

The biblical book Esther made a significant impact upon Americans, Jews and non-Jews, as seen in the new book Esther in America.

As I described in detail in my book Ruth, Esther, and Judith, the biblical book Esther is in no way similar to what many think the book contains. Most noteworthy is that it contains no mention of God and no indication that the Judeans observed any biblical command. Even when the Judeans fasted when prompted by Esther’s request, no mention is made that they prayed for divine aid. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Book Review: Esther in America Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion