Rabbi Roy Furman’s Torah Wrestling is a masterful and engaging exploration of the Torah’s timeless wisdom, offering readers a fresh and dynamic approach to understanding its teachings in the context of modern life. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]
‘Torah Wrestling’ Tackles Broad Philosophical Questions Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
This novel, written completely in verse, tells of a girl in middle school who sees ghosts, prompting her classmates to tease and taunt her and her parents to disbelieve her. But Anna actually does see them. [Donald H. Harrison]
Eidolism and Judaism Figure in This Novel for Middle Schoolers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Eight weeks have come and gone and my time to donate blood reoccurred this week. A few weeks before I am eligible, my cellphone starts ringing with pleas to make an appointment. I am always so honored to receive these calls since it shows how much I mean to the San Diego Blood Bank. [Cailin Acosta]
Blood and Comic-Con Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
o for the colors, taste the flavors and visit India to experience another worldview and new perceptions of our human universe very different from that of the West. Go for the Jewish experience. [David Mendelsohn]
Why Travel to India? And Why Especially India if You are Jewish? Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
We find at its core two seemingly distinct yet deeply intertwined commandments: “You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin” (Leviticus 19:36), and the often heard principle, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: K’doshim Calls for Love and Ethical Behavior Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Business & Finance, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Charles Rothschild (May 9, 1877 – October 12, 1923) was an English banker and entomologist and a member of the Rothschild family. He is remembered for ‘the Rothschild List’, a list he made in 1915 of 284 sites across Britain that he considered suitable for nature reserves. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Charles Rothchild Read More »
Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaOn the surface, a hip-hop musical about an American Founding Father might seem worlds away from the Counting of the Omer (which we are doing now, on our way to Shavuot). However, when we delve into the underlying themes of both, some intriguing parallels emerge, especially concerning progress, reflection, and the anticipation of something significant. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Parallels Between the Musical ‘Hamilton’ and Counting the Omer Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
There’s a common trap we all fall into – becoming so absorbed in our own lives that we lose sensitivity to the experiences of those around us. We stop hearing, stop seeing — not because we’re cruel, but because we’re too self-focused to notice. The Torah, with its eternal wisdom, confronts this human tendency head-on. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parashiot Acherei-Kedoshim: Share the light of Torah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The true definition of “Holiness” is rational and practical. It means being separate or set apart. God, for example, is holy because God is different and set apart from everything that is not God, and people are holy when they set themselves apart from improper behaviors. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
May is known as mental health awareness month. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health. [Cailin Acosta]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Business & Finance, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Israel, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsThe terms “Azazel” and “Yom Hakippurim” are discussed in the biblical portion of Aharei Mot (16:1-18:30), but neither is part of Judaism today. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Azazel, Yom Hakippurim, and Yom Kippur Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
There are approximately 80 synagogues in the country. Who were the first Jews to arrive in Australia? [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Question: Australia Read More »
International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire
On the advice of the Jewish children’s poet Samuil Marshak, he began writing science fiction books for children. The first two stories – “Solar Matter” and “Rays of X” – were printed in the magazine Koster in 1934 and 1936, respectively. The third story, “The Inventors of the Radio Telegraph,” was also published in the Koster magazine. [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Matvey Bronstein, Physicist and Children’s Author Read More »
Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Author Rob Kutner spices Jewish religion and history with jokes, shtick and anachronistic imagination in a book that is sure to offend some and delight others. [Donald H. Harrison]
Facetious Jewish ‘History’ Book Makes Entertaining Reading Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA