By Fred Reiss, Ed.D WINCHESTER, California — Many people believe that the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar because the months are determined by the motion of the moon, resulting in a year of twelve full-lunar cycles, or a little less than 354½ days. However, if the Jewish calendar were a lunar calendar, then each […]
You think your personal calendar is complex? Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education
Editor’s Note: Following is the text of an address delivered in August on the 70th anniversary of the liquidation of the Lodz ghetto by Prof. Goldie Morgentaler, Ph.D., who teaches English and Yiddish literature at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Morgentaler was the subject of a recent feature story in San Diego
Lodz Ghetto again comes alive in book, lecture Read More »
International, Jewish History
WEST BRIDGEWATER, Massachusetts (Press Release)– Equal Exchange, Fair Trade Judaica, and T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights have announced the launch of the Jewish Fair Trade Partnership, through which Jewish institutions and individuals can purchase kosher Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate while supporting Jewish communal efforts to end modern-day slavery and support worker
Does your coffee taste good ethically? Read More »
Jewish ReligionDefining Jewish Difference: From Antiquity to the Present by Beth A. Berkowitz, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY; ISBN 978-1-107-66361-9 ©2014, $27.99, p. 247, plus Bibliography and indexes By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — After delivering a speech at American University in 2005, in which she defended the use of foreign law when deciding
Book Review: ‘Defining Jewish Difference’ Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionTransgender and Jewish by Naomi Zeveloff, editor, The Forward Association, Inc., New York, NY; ISBN 978-1-499339-72-7 ©2014, $9.00, p. 43, plus A List of Contributors By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — American Jews seem to always be at the forefront of cultural and social change, such as with the Abolitionists, Suffragettes, and Feminists. Now
Halacha and the trans- gendered Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
Running From Giants: The Holocaust Through the Eyes of a Child by Margareta Ackerman, Ph.D. Illustrations by Vivien Mildenberger. © 2013, ISBN: 9781492330967, 81 pages. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—This book retells the stories of author Ackerman’s grandfather Srulik, who against all odds survived the Holocaust as a child after running away in
Book tells of 10-year-old who eluded the Nazis Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — It’s not often that one sees a verse from the weekly parasha brought to life. In Parashat Shoftim God demands: tzedek tzedek tirdof – Justice, justice, shall you pursue. (Deut. 16:20) Our Etz Hayim commentary observes: “The well-being of society depends neither on the goodwill of the ruler
Justice, justice do they pursue Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—I don’t know if it is more environmentally sensitive to go to a movie house or to watch the same film at home on a DVD. I suppose it would depend on the driving distance required for each option divided by the number of people in your party intending to
The moral taught by the movie ‘Noah’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish ReligionBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This year it begins on Wednesday evening, September 25th. Our chance, once again, to reset the “character clock” and start renewed, fresh, and cleansed. With the beginning of the “High Holidays,” Jews throughout the world are offered the opportunity again to join in the oldest, most
Teshuva: Judaism’s version of therapy Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO–The month of Elul is the last month in the Jewish calendar. El Al is, of course, the well-known airline of Israel. Boarding an El Al flight, means you know where you are going. After all, you bought a ticket, right? Israel is more than likely your destination, but
Elul and El Al: Where Do You Want to Go? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
MUMBAI, India (WJC) — The Chabad Jewish center in Mumbai, India, has reopened following the terrorist attacks of November 2008 in which a rabbi, his wife and four other people were killed. The center was one of several places in the city targeted by Islamist gunmen. Indian forces regained control of the building after several
Chabad rebuilds its center in Mumbai Read More »
International, Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — In the Talmud Rabbi Yosi comments on this verse from parashat R’eih: “When you cross the Jordan and settle in the land that the Lord our God is allotting to you…” (Deut. 10:12) Rabbi Yosi taught: “The Israelites were given three commandments when they entered the land of
Racists who protested wedding shamed themselves Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) –Beth Israel of San Diego named Jordana “Jordie” Gerson as its new assistant rabbi. She brings to Beth Israel a unique blend of traditional rabbinic work within congregations as well as energy and creative ideas on ways to engage with young adults. Gerson recently completed a year as the Visiting Rabbinic
Rabbi Jordie Gerson new assistant at Beth Israel Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Temple Emanu-El has appointed Shiri Haines as its new executive director. Haines, who grew up in San Diego and Orange County, spent time in the Navy and in business before taking her first synagogue job ten years ago. At Adath Emanu-El in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, she served as an administrative assistant,
Shiri Haines new Temple Emanu- El executive director Read More »
Jewish Religion, San Diego County