By Toby Klein Greenwald JERUSALEM–These latest parshiot (chapters) of the Torah readings remind me of the summer and fall of 2001, when the women of the Raise Your Spirits Theatre put on the production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to sold-out audiences who came on bulletproof buses from all over Israel to our […]
Joseph was dressed for success Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Toby Klein GreenwaldBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — When partners fall out with each other, the fallout can be devastating. In marriage it’s called divorce, but, of course, it occurs in many other situations. In Israel, it has just become an election issue with possible serious consequences. The late Ovadia Yosef, a former Sephardi chief rabbi of
A split in Shas; other Haredim restless Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle EastBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)–The oldest continuously running social welfare organization in Israel, Colel Chabad, is hosting its annual retreat for 260 orphans and widows this Chanukah. For the past ten years, Colel Chabad has organized a variety of therapeutic activities specifically designed for children who have lost parents in recent years, as well those
Respite for widows, orphans at Jerusalem hotel Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison LA MESA, California –Did you hear the one about the rabbi, the congresswoman and the mayor who walked into a shopping center during the middle of the December holiday season and lit a giant menorah fashioned from balloons? No, it’s not a joke! It happened on Sunday, Dec. 21, the sixth
Balloon menorah, officials at Chanukah celebration Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of women who were allegedly visualized and/or recorded while they were naked using a mikvah. (Case #14-008073, Superior Court of the District of Columbia). The case involves Rabbi Bernard Freundel, a widely-recognized religious figure and spiritual leader at
Suit filed against rabbi accused of spying on mikvah Read More »
Jewish Religion, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO –The Talmud tells us that after the Greeks were defeated and expelled from the Land of Israel, the Maccabees entered the Temple and removed all of the pagan idols that had been placed there. They cleaned the Temple and rededicated it to the worship of God. The Talmud adds that
Reflecting on the Maccabees victory Read More »
Jewish History
ENCINO, California (Press Release) — Rabbi Harold Schulweis, regarded as the most influential synagogue leader of his generation, died Wednesday, Dec. 17, at his home after a long struggle with heart disease, his longtime congregation, Valley Beth Shalom, announced. Rabbi Schulweis was 89 years old. Rabbi Uri Herscher, founding president and CEO of the Skirball
Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, 89, z”l Read More »
Jewish Religion
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) — A graduate of Yemin Orde Youth Village, in Israel, was honored with lighting a special menorah at the annual White House Hanukkah celebration in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Ataklit Tesfaye, 23, an Ethiopian-Israeli who immigrated to Israel in 2008, recited the Hanukkah prayers alongside President Barack Obama and First Lady
Ethiopian Israeli lights White House menorah Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USASACRAMENTO (Press Release)–State Senator Marty Block (D-San Diego) issued the following statement about the contemporary meaning of Hanukkah as chair of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus from Washington, D.C., where he is attending the White House Hanukkah reception on Wednesday, Dec. 17. “Hanukkah, the ancient Hebrew Festival of Lights, takes on new meaning today as
Block: Modern fight against terror recalls Chanukah Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy David Strom SAN DIEGO — A few months before the surrender of Nazi Germany two unlikely associates were sitting and cordially drinking liquor together in Switzerland. One was Nazi General Karl Wolff the right hand to SS chief Heinrich Himmler and the other the top US spy in charge of gathering wartime intelligence on
‘Nazis Next Door’ tell of U.S. coverups Read More »
Jewish History
MIAMI, Florida (Press Release)–Continuing the tradition of lighting the Chanukah Menorah by prominent public officials, presidential hopeful Jeb Bush who announced an exploratory committee on Tuesday, Dec. 17, invited Jason Lyons to light the Menorah on the first night of Chanukah. Lyons chaired the US-Israel Security Alliance Congressional Tribute last month on Capitol Hill. Former Florida
Jeb Bush hosts Chanukah celebration Read More »
Jewish History, USABy Michael Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — I just finished loading my iPod with nearly three hours of Christmas music. I enjoy listening to Christmas music – especially the soppy, nostalgic stuff. I like the feeling of crisp, colder weather that the music reminds me of when I was a kid in New Jersey –
Enjoy Christmas, but be secure as a Jew Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Michael Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — There is a little known custom involving Chanukah gelt worth understanding. It was customary to give children Chanukah gelt on the fifth day of the holiday. Why the fifth day? It’s the only day of Chanukah that can never come out on Shabbat. You see Chanukah never starts
This Chanukah, don’t let the Hellenists win Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
MODI’IN, Israel (Press Release)– Young new Olim from ages 3-10, who made Aliyah to Israel from the U.S. this past summer with the help of Nefesh B’Nefesh, the Ministry of Aliyah and Immigrant Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Kayemet L’Israel, celebrated Chanukah at a special Nefesh B’Nefesh gathering in Modi’in. At the event, these young Olim tasted their first
New olim sample Israel’s jelly donuts Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East