By Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — It’s not an auspicious beginning. Or maybe it is. The year is 5776, according to the Hebrew calendar, תשע”ו as you’ll find it on Israeli documents. By tradition, the calendar began with the creation of the world, but we needn’t let doubts about that bother us. As it is beginning, the
Jewish year 5776 starts ominously Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — A lawsuit has been filed in California against a number of synagogues, including Young Israel of Beverly Hills, alleging a violation related to the High Holidays. What is the lawsuit about? A. On the High Holidays, these synagogues do not open their parking lots as it is a violation of
Jewish Trivia: High Holy Day lawsuit Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Michael R. Mantell, PhD SAN DIEGO — According to Jewish tradition, on the tenth day of the Hebrew month Tishri, Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the second set of tablets of the Ten Commandments after Hashem forgave the Jews for the sin of worshipping the golden calf. That day is called Yom Kippur,
A 4-step guide to repentance Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Sheila Orysiek SAN DIEGO — On Sunday, September 13th, at sundown the High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah begins. This is my prayer for the coming Hebrew New Year: 5776 I pray for peace. Let it begin with me – and you – and then spread in concentric circles to include every living soul. Peace
Some prayers for the Jewish New Year Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Barry Shaw NETANYA, Israel — On 9/11 we recalled the horrors of that day when mass terror struck America. In less than a week, the US Congress will vote on the important Iran nuclear deal. A few days ago, I recalled another significant date – September 7. Not many people remembered what happened on that date.
Three historic dates in September: 7, 11, 17 Read More »
Barry Shaw, Jewish History, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — Somebody wrote me a nasty letter recently after something I wrote about Jews and social justice. “You just wrote that because you’re a Jew,” spouted my critic. To this branding, I say, thank you! Thank you! Thank you for attributing to me the greatest possible ethnic compliment. Call me
New Year’s resolution: ‘Call me a Jew!’ Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Ben Cohen/JNS.org WASHINGTON, D.C. (JNS.org)– On Sept. 17, the Regents of the 10-school University of California (UC) system will discuss a statement of principles against intolerance. Alarmed by a rash of anti-Semitic incidents on UC campuses, a large number of Jewish scholars and activists have urged that the Regents adopt, in the context of their
U.C. to debate anti- Semitism’s definition Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — Did you know that despite the commonly held view that the Torah is perfect, it contains mistakes and questionable readings? At a certain point in time (between the 7th and 10th centuries) a scholarly group known as the “Masoretes” decided on a definitive text, choosing from the different
Masorete mysteries within the Torah Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Anav Silverman JERUSALEM (Tazpit)–This year, the call of the shofar will be made accessible to thousands of Israelis, many of whom have never previously heard the blast of the shofar traditionally sounded on Rosh Hashanah in the synagogue. After 15 years of expanding Yom Kippur programs to 295 locations across the country, Tzohar, the
Secular Israelis to hear the sound of the shofar Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) –Goldie Morgentaler, who was the subject of a feature story in San Diego Jewish World as well as a chapter in Donald H. Harrison’s recent book Schlepping Through The American West: There Is A Jewish Story Everywhere, will be retelling the stories of her mother, Chava Rosenfarb, a well-known Yiddish writer, as
Yiddish literature exponent among UCSD lecturers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) – Chabad Hebrew Academy and the various Chabad houses within San Diego County are staging a one day fundraiser beginning at noon Wednesday, Sept. 9, and ending at noon Thursday, Sept.10, with the object of raising $1.1 million for the many Chabad institutions in the county. Each Chabad unit is in
Chabad sets 1-day fund goal of $1.1 million Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Yom Limmud lived up to its name once more as some 400 participants, including Jewish educators and lay people, gathered to imbibe a day of Jewish learning on Sunday, August 30 at the Lawrence Family JCC. Jewish religion, culture and nationhood encompass such a vast spectrum, that it is difficult to include sessions
Jewish spirituality was focus of Yom Limmud Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Stanley Tiger SAN DIEGO — “I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I’m sorry.” These words still ring in my heart. As a schoolboy about ten years of age on my way to afternoon Hebrew school, on the other side of the street I saw a young Chassidic boy, about my age, getting pushed to the ground by two
Why ‘The Jewish Genius Initiative’ started Read More »
Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Ben Kamin ENCINITAS, California — There was nothing physically imposing about Lou Dunst—a cherubic, dignified man with a sweet smile yet deep sorrowful eyes. At times, when he walked slowly by, it seemed that a stiff breeze could knock him down. But then you realized that not even the wind could do such a
In memory of Holocaust survivor Lou Dunst Read More »
Obituaries & memorials