Judaism

Torah for Children: Kindness and Good Choices

On Saturday, Jews around the world read Parshah Vayechi,  the last Parshah in the first book of the Torah. We’ve gone from the creation of the world all the way through to the lives of our three forefathers. We end with the final words of Jacob, our last forefather. Jacob asks Joseph to take his body our of Egypt and bury it in the cave with Abraham and Isaac. Joseph promises to fulfill his father’s request. Jacob then blesses Joseph’s two sons. Just as Jacob tricks his father into blessing him, he now switches the blessings for Joseph’s sons. Ephraim. the younger son is given the blessing to become the father of a great nation. Menasseh, the older son, will also be important, but Ephraim with be head of the greater nation. [Marcia Berneger]

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Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Inclusion at Camp Chi

It was June of 1969. I was an 11 ½ year old visually impaired girl leaving home for the first time to attend Jewish overnight camp. I boarded the train to Wisconsin consumed with mixed emotions: already a little homesick and anxious, but also excited. I was excited about the friends coming from my Jewish Day school, and the new friends I hope to meet. At that moment, I was just like them—leaving home to spend three fun-filled weeks at summer camp.
It was a disaster. [Michelle Friedman]

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Judaism, Lifestyles, USA

Prayers for the New Year

Our lives involve a constant series of rebirths that affords us the opportunity to expand our horizon and vision of the world around us. Whenever we wake up on the first day of the New Year, it behooves us to think about what we must accomplish and achieve while we travel through time. Let us use this time to set goals and make new promises to our soul that each of us will boldly live our lives and realize the God-given potential that we each have. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Torah (Va-Yehi) Compared with Ancient Practices

This essay covers Joseph’s oath to Jacob of his burial in Machpelah; Jacob’s ‘adoption’ of Joseph’s two sons; Jacob’s crossed arms preferential blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh; Jacob’s testament to Judah. I have chosen four passages, for hoped-for comparison via the internet with writings attributed to ancient Israel’s neighbors. [Irv Jacobs, M.D.]

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Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion

Jacob’s ‘death’ was not as we understand it

When our soul ascends to heaven, we bring every day we’ve lived, with us. Our days don’t disappear upon our death, but rather stay with us…forever. Every day, the special meaning we give to the days of our lives, accompany us through eternity. This is why keeping ourselves pure, acting with kindness, compassion, humility and truly not judging others are so essential to our eternal lives. Does this awareness help you realize the potential that awaits you? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Orthodox debate Zoom gatherings on Shabbat

Should Orthodox congregations permit Zoom services?  There is debate over whether this is permissible under Jewish law (Halakhah). I am not a major Torah scholar and do not pretend to be one. The answer needs to come form the rabbinic sages of our time. However today these answers must address issues of life or death. [Rabbi Bernhard H. Rosenberg]

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Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion

Why do bad things happen to good people?

In the first book of my series of Mysteries of Judaism, I pointed out that all of the biblical holidays, such as Passover, and rabbinical Jewish holidays, as Chanukah and Purim, were changed over the years. Some, as Passover on Nissan 14, even disappeared even though mandated in the Torah. Some, like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, although many think these are the most holy of biblical Jewish holidays, are not mentioned in the Torah, both replace Bible holidays. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

Exploring Jewish and Chinese connections in San Diego

Li-rong (Lilly) Cheng, Ph.D., director of the Chinese Cultural Center at San Diego State University, loves well-told stories about China, whether they be fiction or non fiction. Over the years, she has been involved in promulgating stories of each type, and in two particular cases, the story telling has involved Jews. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
https://youtu.be/qI6WqtdY4dc

Good News from Israel (December 27, 2020)

In the Dec. 27, 2020 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
A woman and a Druze Arab make Israeli Air Force history.
Historic signing of agreements between Israel and Morocco.
Two new Israeli fabric coatings protect against Covid-19.
Europeans are buying millions of Israeli flowers this month.
They will all come to Jerusalem. [Michael Ordman]

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Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Ordman, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA

Torah for Children: Helping Family and Friends 

Last week’s Parshah ended with Joseph accusing Benjamin of stealing Pharaoh’s cup. Benjamin would not be allowed to return home because of it. In this week’s Torah portion, called Vayigash, we see  Joseph’s brother, Judah, pleading to be the one who stays behind. Since Benjamin means so much to Jacob, Judah is afraid their father will die if they return without their youngest brother. [Marcia Berneger]

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Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Thoughts of a Jewish educator on Christmas

It’s Christmas Day in America, but for me, just a normal Erev Shabbat. I decided to write to you while my Challah is rising to share some thoughts about Jewish education and the role of NewCAJE.

Like most teenage girls, I thought it might be cool to be a cheerleader in high school, but that didn’t happen! Instead, I chose to be a cheerleader for Jewish education—something I deeply believe in– and for Jewish educators like you.

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Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA