By Rabbi Ben Kamin OCEANSIDE, California — Purim, or “Lots,”—a woman’s heroic story based in historical facts—begins Wednesday evening, March 23. The Scroll will be merrily read, recounting the rescue of the Persian Jews in 357 BCE from genocide. It should be noted that God is neither mentioned nor quoted anywhere in the text. God
When God is silent, Jews find a proxy such as Esther Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — The news on Saturday night and Sunday was of a suicide bombing in Istanbul, with three Israeli tourists among the dead. Some will see a political irony in the death of an Iranian, as well. It’s not clear whether the presence of an Israeli tour group prompted the attack, whether
Suffering is not what makes Jews unique Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Not all Zionist pioneers came to Eretz Yisrael to till the soil as a way of building a new society where Jews would be like all other nations. There were those who came in the belief that only in the Land of Israel could Judaism be renewed. It was
Zionist dream of renovating Judaism unrealized Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –When the singer Madonna, who is a disciple of the Kabbalah Center, decided that she wanted a Hebrew name, I found it ironic that she chose “Esther.” Esther is not a Hebrew name. Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther in the Bible, informs us that Esther’s Hebrew name was
Distinction between Jew and non-Jew is permeable Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO — The momentous occasion had arrived. After months of dedicated and selfless work, the Mishkan (the portable tabernacle) was completed and assembled. Moshe and all the people stood in awe and trepidation as they watched G-d’s glory descend and rest upon the Mishkan. The nation rejoiced, viewing this as a
Weekly Torah portion: Vayikra Read More »
Jewish Religion
The Passover Surprise by Janet Ruth Heller; illustrations by Ronald Kauffman; © 2015; Fictive Press; ISBN 978-1-927663-17-1; 35 pages including glossary and discussion drive. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –A lot of ground is covered in this story for middle schoolers. It begins with a pre-teenage girl, Lisa, competing with her younger brother, Jon,
‘The Passover Surprise’ is brief yet topic rich Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, USABy Joe Spier CALGARY, Alberta, Canada — In Quentin Tarantino’s World War II revenge film the Inglourious Basterds, a team of Jewish American soldiers wreaks panic and havoc on the Third Reich in German-occupied France by killing as many Nazi soldiers as possible. They do so with relish, one nicknamed “The Bear Jew,” with a baseball
The story of 3 Troop, 10 Commando Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Steve Kramer ALFE MENASHE, Israel — The words we use are important, especially when explaining a situation or making an argument. Evidently, Israelis haven’t read Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking-Glass.” It was Humpty Dumpty who said, “When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor
Why the world should say ‘Judea’ and ‘Samaria’ Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East, Steve KramerBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — When I was growing up one of my rabbi’s favorite sayings was: “Rich or poor, it’s good to have money.” Judaism has never disparaged living comfortably and encourages us to enjoy all of God’s blessings. However, at the same time we must always be mindful to share our
Turning wealth into something truly sacred Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Yaakov Marks SAN DIEGO– One of the most dedicated and trusted leaders in history was Moshe. He left a wonderful life and his family in Midian, journeying a great distance to Egypt to fight for his people’s freedom from slavery. He constantly put his life in danger while approaching pharaoh, demanding and bargaining
Weekly Torah portion: Pekudei Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – In my mail came a book of poetry for review, unbidden, a gift from its author, a stranger to me. Titled Above History, Behind Time, it contained the thoughts of Nathan Carliner Goldman, PhD, who is a professor of government at the College of the Mainland in Texas
Poet Nathan C. Goldman reflects on Jewish themes Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Ben Kamin SAN DIEGO –Eighteen years ago tomorrow, March 8, 1998, the Winter Garden Theatre in New York, then home to the mega-hit Cats, had its lights go dim. The music stopped, the dancing halted as the news spread of the death of 44 year-old artiste, Laurie Beechman. For longer than anyone, she
A tribute on the yahrzeit of Laurie Beechman Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials
JERUSALEM (WJC) — Colette Avital, chairwoman of the Center of Organizations of Holocaust Survivors in Israel, has launched a petition to Germany over the treatment of a German judge who has helped many survivors in Israel. Writing to Germany’s ambassador to Israel, Clemens von Goetze, Avital – a retired Israeli diplomat and former member
Germany puts judge who helped Survivors on trial Read More »
International, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo has a lot in common with the late Rabbi David Hartman. Cardozo is, as Hartman was, an Orthodox rabbi. Both immigrated to Israel in the belief that only here can Orthodoxy, indeed Judaism, renew itself and remain relevant. Both created institutions in Jerusalem, one the
Orthodox peers shun Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo Read More »
Jewish Religion