By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO– Judaism is a very democratic religion. Although Kohanim once had a special role in the Temple sacrificial rites, they never were the sole conduit to God. Then, as now, God was directly available to every Israelite. We learn this from the Biblical story of Eldad and Meidad. We learn […]
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Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — The Jews traveled through the desert on pure faith and trust in Hashem (G-d). The Divine Cloud protected and guided the Jews throughout their journey. They moved ahead when the Cloud moved and they encamped when the Cloud stopped. They never knew how long each encampment would
The story behind the disarmed bomb in Meah Shearim Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK –It was a lesson I learned long ago, when I was a high school classroom teacher. I was new at this line of work, and found that my greatest challenge was to find ways to motivate the students. I tried various approaches, which all were basically attempts to
Motivating others to give rather than to receive Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — The Line by Israel Horovitz is the longest-running play off-off Broadway, having made its debut in 1974. It has been seen in 25 countries and translated into 35 languages. One of those languages is Spanish and Teatro Punto y Coma recently presented it during the San Diego Repertory Theater’s 19th
‘The Line,’ aka ‘El Primero,’ played with gusto but script is boring Read More »
Jewish History, Mimi PollackCompiled by San Diego Jewish World staff Press Notes Southwestern Jewish Press, December 28, 1956, Page 3 Time Covers and Uncovers: Lanes and roads overgrown during years of disuse are once again open for men and women in pursuit of knowledge. Five years ago when the California Western University took over 117 acres of wooded
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Adventures in SD History, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–One of the critiques against fixed prayer (i.e., reading the same prayer book selections over and over) is that it can become boring and monotonous. How can one possibly pour out one’s heart before God by repeating the same words three times a day, seven days a week? Where is
Approaching fixed prayer with spirituality Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Almost 28 years ago, our youngest child was born. Due to our advanced age, we gave him the name Mattan. The English translation of mattan (מתן) is “gift.” Some time later, when in a US college book store, I happened on a Bible Dictionary, looked up the name, and found
The politics of religion and vice versa Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Jewish Religion
The Biblical Outlook: Topics in Jewish Philosophy by Rabbi Shlomo Polachek; Penina Press, Jerusalem, 2012; ISBN-10: 1936068273; 463 pages. $29.95. By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — The concept the author wishes to present is an important one. He wishes to show the various strands of biblical passages that can be used by a
Book on biblical philosophy needs better sources Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Hersh Tzvi Weinreb NEW YORK — I am sure that you have a most favorite activity. I know that I do. I am also sure that you have a least favorite activity, as I do. My most favorite activity is visiting Israel. One of the experiences I especially cherish during my visits
On giving–and receiving–the priestly blessing Read More »
Jewish Religion
Sacred Trash: The Lost and Found World of the Cairo Geniza by Adina Hoffman and Peter Cole; ISBN 978-0-8052-4258-4 ©2012, $26.95, p. 384, including notes Reviewed by Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — The word geniza, from the Hebrew root gimmel, nun, zion, means a hidden treasure, an appropriate name for a millennium’s worth of
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Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish ReligionEditor’s Note: The following article was written in response to a commentary by Bruce Kesler criticizing the WorldBeat Center for showing the film, Tears of Gaza. By Makeda Cheatom SAN DIEGO — Part of our mission statement at the WorldBeat Center is to promote peace through consciousness raising. In our long history we have presented
WorldBeat Center seeks to help resolve conflicts Read More »
Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — On Shabbat we begin reading the book of B’midbar, Numbers in English. At the conclusion of Shabbat we celebrate Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks. According to rabbinic tradition, the Children of Israel received the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Torah from God on Shavuot, exactly fifty
New Jews join our people in spirit of Ruth Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — The generation that stood at Har Sinai was the greatest generation of all time. Their leader was the greatest leader of all time. This was not a coincidence. Hashem gives us leaders in proportion to the generation. The greater the generation, the greater the leader. Young Rabbi Yechezkel
How Rabbi Landau survived a test Read More »
Jewish Religion
Photos and story by Jenn Sanders SAN DIEGO — May 22, 2012 was a historical day for San Diego. A street was renamed for the late Harvey Milk, the slain gay activist who was a San Francisco County Supervisor. Six speakers helped inaugurate the sign. They included Stuart Milk, the nephew of the honoree; San Diego City
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Jewish History