Judaism

Rembrandt Loved Bible Stories and the Jews Who Populated Them

Written for children 5 through 9, Rembrandt’s Blessing tells the story of the Dutch Master’s love affair with Bible stories and by extension with Amsterdam Jews, whom he had pose for him. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Meaning of Teshuvah

Sometimes, I would forget and respond that the person asking for forgiveness could never do anything to hurt me on purpose. Then I am reminded that it is that time of year when we apologize, and when I say they are forgiven, I usually get a huge hug, which is a good start for the new year. [Cailin Acosta]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, Travel and Food

Parsha Ki Teitzei: Lessons for Inner Healing and Emotional Growth

It’s no accident that Ki Teitzei contains more mitzvot than any other parsha, 74 by the Rambam’s count. These are not just legalistic details; they are a spiritual training regimen. Each mitzvah challenges us to rise above raw instinct, to refine our character, and to live in greater alignment with empathy, integrity, and responsibility. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Milena and Margarete’ Recounts Prisoners’ Love Affair in a Nazi Concentration Camp for Women

This is an incisive history of the Ravensbrück Concentration Camp from the perspective of two female prisoners who defied their Nazi captors and became lovers. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Two Commands in the Torah that Prolong Life

Deuteronomy 22:6-7 states that if you chance upon a bird’s nest containing young ones or eggs with the mother sitting near the chicks or on the eggs, you must not take the mother with the young. Instead, consider the mother’s feelings. Let the mother go and then take the young, “that you may prolong your days.” [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Thorn & Petal’: An Interactive Play About San Diego’s First Jewish Settler Louis Rose

In a telephone interview, Redman shared that he felt compelled to share Louis Rose’s story in the wake of October 7th.  He saw value in bringing forth a positive Jewish story as negativity and antisemitism are on the rise. Through some networking with Sean Boyd, first-time playwright, Redman, garnered the support he needed to pen Thorn and Petal. [Eva Trieger]

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Donald H. Harrison, Eva Trieger, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

OpEd: Global Roundup of Recent Displays of Antisemitism

The end of the summer was dominated by allegations of ‘genocide’ and ‘famine’ thrown against Israel and its supporters. These collapse under even causal examination, but have been coupled with relentless campaigns, particular on the far right, to legitimize antisemitism. [Press Release]

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Antisemitism, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Opinion, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

Jewish Trivia Quiz: New Orleans

In ‍New ‍Orleans, ‍Touro ‍funded ‍what ‍became ‍Touro ‍Infirmary ‍as ‍well ‍as ‍the ‍Reform ‍congregation ‍Touro ‍Synagogue. ‍While ‍it’s ‍not ‍certain, ‍what ‍is ‍the ‍common ‍belief ‍as ‍to ‍why ‍Judah ‍Touro ‍left ‍Boston ‍and ‍moved ‍to ‍New ‍Orleans? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

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Jewish History, Mark D. Zimmerman, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Jewish Biography: Waldemar Haffkine, Discoverer of the Cholera and Plague Vaccines

The main focus of his work was the protection of the human body from infectious diseases using serums and vaccines. By 1892, Haffkine had created the first effective vaccine against cholera, proving its safety for humans on himself. [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Mixed-Media Artist Rose Mizrahi Featured at Point Loma Branch Library

When asked which one of her paintings is her favorite, Mizrahi pointed out one of mountains titled “Summit.”  She was on vacation at Mammoth Mountain and got the inspiration to paint when she got home. Mizrahi doesn’t focus on just one genre; if she feels like painting a landscape, then she does, if she feels like painting something in space or cosmos, then she does, which makes her art unique in spanning different genres. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food

What the Documentary Thesis for Studying the Torah Misconstrues

The “Documentary Hypothesis” originated when Jean Astruc (1684–1766) claimed he could identify the sources of the Bible by examining its use of divine names. His approach was later expanded by Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918), who identified four primary sources (J, E, D, and P) that he believed were combined to form the Pentateuch, also known as the Five Books of Moses. He based his theory in part on the consistent use of the names Elohim and Y-h-v-h in what he considered four writings by four different authors or groups. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Meaning and Customs of the Month of Elul Elucidated

“Elul is the 12th and final month in the Jewish calendar, the sixth month counting from Nisan. Leading up to the High Holidays, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, it is a month that connects the past year with the coming year – a time when we reflect on where we stand and where we should be going,” said Rebbetzin Chaya Andrusier to the Jewish Women’s Circle’s “Torah and Tea” on Thursday, August 28. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Leon Lewis Fought American Nazis in Los Angeles

Lewis secretly created a spy network with sympathetic disabled German American World War 1 veterans he knew.  The veterans were horrified by Nazism and how it could turn German Americans into dangerous pariahs in their own country.  They volunteered to penetrate the Bund. [Jerry Klinger]

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Antisemitism, California, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA