Judaism

Lori didn’t deserve to die! Moment of silence needed!

Editor’s Note:  Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein of Chabad of Poway, back at his post after surgery attempted to save his index finger, described his experiences when a shooter came into his synagogue on Saturday, which was both Shabbat and the last day of Passover, and killed a dear friend, and wounded three other people, including the

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA

Wounded rabbi pays tribute to slain congregant

To watch the NBC interview click here By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein, recuperating from the loss of an index finger in the shooting at his synagogue in Poway, paid tribute from his hospital bed to a congregant who may well be responsible for saving his life. Interviewed by telephone by

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, USA

Liberal Jews should focus on 4 major Israeli issues

By Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Hiddush is an organization that by its self-definition is “for religious freedom and equality.” I referred to an opinion poll it sponsored recently in my April 25 reflections when I argued in favor of a Likud-Blue and White unity government in Israel (without Orthodox and ultra-right parties). In the

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Jewish Religion, Middle East

Woman slain, three others wounded at Chabad of Poway

Victims identified as Lori Gilbert Kaye, z”l; Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein; Almog Peretz, and young Noya Dahan; Alleged shooter John P. Earnest taken into custody By Donald H. Harrison POWAY, California – A white male shooter opened fire during Saturday morning  Shabbat services on the last day of Passover, killing one woman at the Altman Family

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County

Some common mistakes about Bible stories

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida –There are many interpretations of biblical event that people were taught to believe which are clearly untrue. The following are three examples. Adam lied to his wife resulting in a catastrophe Genesis 2:16-17 states that before Eve was created, “The Lord God commanded the man, saying: ‘You

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion

Violence, fanaticism are the curse of many religions

“We keep on being told that religion, whatever its imperfections, at least instills morality. On every side, there is conclusive evidence that the contrary is the case and that faith causes people to be more mean, more selfish, and perhaps above all, more stupid.”― Christopher Hitchens By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —

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International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, USA

Niece reprises Shelley Winters’ role in ‘Anne Frank’

By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – In the American History Theater’s current production of The Diary of Anne Frank, some American theater history is being reprised.  Back in 1959, Shelley Winters won an Oscar as best supporting actress for her performance as Mrs. Van Daan in the movie version of that play, which dramatized

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

PJ Library helps families seeking more Jewish context

By H. Applebaum SAN DIEGO — What do parents do if they are raising a Jewish child, yet have no resources at hand?  The cause could be intermarriage, or living far from family or other Jews, or all of the above.  When Jews leave traditional Jewish enclaves, and children come along, it presents a challenge.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA

Rabbis, not Torah, decreed counting days of the Omer

By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The Torah says count weeks, but Jews count days. As I described in detail in my book Mysteries of Judaism, the ancient religious Jewish group Pharisees, who existed from about 320 BCE until 70 CE, and the rabbis who followed them changed all of the Jewish practices

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Jewish Religion

DVD Review: ‘Streit’s Matzo and the American Dream’

Streit’s Matzo and the American Dream by Michael Levine, © 2017 Menemsha Films, 83 minutes; available via Amazon. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Those of us with Eastern European origins could visit Ellis Island where immigrants were processed, then go to New York’s Lower East Side to tour the Tenement Museum, which recreates

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA