Judaism

Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors

Today, among his rabbinical duties as a rabbi at the Adventure Judaism Congregation, he prepares 20 students a year for B’nai Mitzvah during a course of study that involves 15 outdoor adventures. The curriculum culminates in a ceremony conducted in an outdoor setting selected by the student. [Jim Winnerman]

Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors Read More »

Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

An Animal Lover’s Joy in Gardening

Freckles, my angora rabbit, enjoys the cilantro, parsley and mint I have planted. I just wonder if the wild critters will enjoy it more since I do notice bite marks and my plants not producing as much. But I am always happy to feed the possums, skunks and wild rabbits that take a nibble and then go on their way. [Cailin Acosta]

An Animal Lover’s Joy in Gardening Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Western Jewish Studies Association Honors Laurie Baron

Professor Lawrence (Laurie) Baron has been its President for every one of those 30 years.  As he puts it, “The WJSA doesn’t have term limits, only life sentences.” If put to a vote, conference participants would have rejected Laurie’s contention that, “No one over 77 should be president of anything.” [Alan Levenson]

Western Jewish Studies Association Honors Laurie Baron Read More »

International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Purim Ends; Passover Now in Sight

I dread the chometz cleaning but with the Spring season almost here and longer days of sunlight, it makes it less stressful. Not only getting chometz put away but also going through drawers and making everyone throw out socks with holes and shirts with stains. [Cailin Acosta]

Purim Ends; Passover Now in Sight Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

1,000+ Attend Funeral Rites for Rabbi Wayne Dosick

Rabbi Wayne Dosick, 77, was eulogized by a succession of fellow clergy members Tuesday, March 18, in the chapel of Congregation Beth Israel and in the chat room of an overwhelmed Zoom cast hosted by Am Israel Mortuary that drew 839 remote users. [Donald H. Harrison]

1,000+ Attend Funeral Rites for Rabbi Wayne Dosick Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Religious Disputes Through Time Destroyed Nations

Sadducees insisted that the Sabbath home must not have a fire burning on the Sabbath. It must be dark, sometimes even cold and gloomy. Pharisees interpreted the verse to restrict igniting a new fire on the Sabbath, and contrary to the Sadducees, they saw the Sabbath as a day of light, warmth, and joy. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

Religious Disputes Through Time Destroyed Nations Read More »

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

Non-Profit Organization Challenges CAIR-California’s Suitability to Receive Federal Refugee Funds

A San Francisco-based nonprofit organization, the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN), has filed a letter of objection with the U.S. Department of Justice challenging the Council of American Islamic Relations-California as an agency qualified to help Afghan refugees to settle in the United States. [Donald H. Harrison]

Non-Profit Organization Challenges CAIR-California’s Suitability to Receive Federal Refugee Funds Read More »

Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jewish Biography: Eduard Gans, Judaism’s Defender Then Defector

In 1819 the Society for the Culture and Science of the Jews was organized in Berlin, whose president from 1821-1824 was the lawyer Dr. Eduard Gans. The Society published the journal Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft des Judenthums (Journal of the Science of Judaism), in which the purpose of the union was formulated as “the dissemination among the Jews of European education and scientific knowledge of Judaism in order to prepare in this way a painless transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, especially in order to avoid mass conversions to Christianity.” [Alex Gordon]

Jewish Biography: Eduard Gans, Judaism’s Defender Then Defector Read More »

Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors