Judaism

New Orleans temple celebrates 145th anniversary

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Press Release)– In 2015, Temple Sinai marks 145 years of serving the New Orleans community. The largest Jewish congregation in Louisiana invites the entire community to help celebrate its long history, as well as the congregation’s future, vibrancy and diversity. “Though we’re the first Reform congregation in Louisiana, we pride ourselves, both

New Orleans temple celebrates 145th anniversary Read More »

Jewish History, USA

JCoSD launches K-5 education program

CARLSBAD, California  (Press Release) — The Jewish Collaborative of San Diego (JCoSD)  has launched its multi-faceted Jewish education for children in K-5th grades. In addition to family Hebrew class held once a week, the JCo Kids’ Club is proving to be a new and innovative way to get families committed to Jewish community. “The JCo

JCoSD launches K-5 education program Read More »

Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education

Reform Machzor more LGBT friendly, gender neutral

NEW YORK (Press Release)– America’s Reform rabbis are making a major effort to change worship to match the needs and desires of today’s Reform Jews. In alignment with trends highlighted by the recent Pew study on American Jews, Reform rabbis are creating a new High Holiday service that makes all prayers LGBT friendly, adds references to God as

Reform Machzor more LGBT friendly, gender neutral Read More »

Jewish Religion, USA

The rising global tide of anti – Semitism

By Miriam Raftery East County Magazine SAN DIEGO’S EAST COUNTY (SDONA)—Last week,  a young Jewish man was shot and killed outside a Copenhagen synagogue. In Paris, as many as 250 Jewish graves were desecrated.  At the University of California in Davis, California earlier this month, swastikas were sprayed on a Jewish fraternity houseafter a demonstration by

The rising global tide of anti – Semitism Read More »

International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Miriam Raftery, USA

No Oscar for Shirley MacLaine’s theology

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Shirley MacLaine is a better actress than she is a philosopher or theologian. Jewish groups are justifiably upset with some comments she penned in her new memoir, “What If… A Lifetime of Questions, Speculations, Reasonable Guesses, and a Few Things I Know For Sure.” The quote that is

No Oscar for Shirley MacLaine’s theology Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Scholar of religion tells her Jewish journey

By Jenn Lindsay ROME, Italy –I was recently asked to tell the story of my Jewish journey. I think of this journey in terms of steps: discovery, exploration, commitment, deepening, challenge, compromise, and simplicity. Until now I restrained myself from writing too explicitly about my Jewish journey because it has been a circuitous path, perhaps

Scholar of religion tells her Jewish journey Read More »

Jewish Religion, Middle East, USA