The s’chach, the branches and natural materials that form the roof, must provide more shade than sunlight, but ideally should not completely close us off from the sky. Through its openings, we should be able to see the stars. {Betzy Lynch}
Peering through the openings in the sukkah’s roof Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Three out of our four schools have been back for about a month, and UC San Diego started classes just yesterday, and already our start-of-school numbers are record breaking. We’ve had more than 800 students engage so far, but what’s even more telling is that nearly 25% of those students have already reached the “deeply engaged” threshold of participating more than six times. That means students are coming to Hillel and actively participating in Jewish life at a much higher frequency than years past. TREND ALERT: More students, more often. [Karen Parry]
Three encouraging trends at Hillel of San Diego’s four campuses Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In this week’s Torah reading, we are commanded: “You shall dwell in sukkot for seven days…so that your generations may know” (Vayikra 23:42–43). We are those generations. (Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.)
Into our sukkot: Part of a continuing chain Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
A new study conducted jointly by the Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) and Shaare Zedek Medical Center offers encouraging findings, showing that advanced diabetes technologies may enable many people with type 1 diabetes to fast safely. (Press Release)
On Friday, September 13, 1991, a couple of days before Yom Kippur, it suddenly hit me: next Monday, September 16, was the Day of Atonement. I don’t observe most religious holidays or rules, but on Yom Kippur I don’t eat, I don’t work, and I go to the synagogue for the Yizkor memorial prayer. Even back in the Soviet Union, I was Jewish twice a year: on Passover and Yom Kippur. [Yakov Nayerman]
Becoming a Russian Jew Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA, Yakov NayermanThere’s a line at the beginning of Ha’Azinu that I’ve always found interesting. Moses says, “May my teaching drip like rain; may my speech flow like dew.” (Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.)
Moses’ words inspire at different rates for different people Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Steinem inspired me to join the National Organization for Women, march for the Equal Rights Amendment, fight for abortion rights, demand equal pay, understand that rape victims never “ask for it” or deserve it, keep my own last name, not be embarrassed by my 5-foot 10-inch frame, pay my own way, and speak up for justice, human rights and deeply held values. [Marsha Sutton}
Gloria Steinem was her role model Read More »
Jewish Celebrities, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
My husband started singing the “Everything’s going to be alright” song right after the first mammogram showed an anomaly. He repeated it after the second diagnostic mammogram confirmed “there’s something there,” and in the days and sleepless nights while we waited for that biopsy report. [Karen Galatz]
The Matzo Chronicles: ‘The Songs of Summer’ Read More »
Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Grand, who lives with his family a distance from the nearest Orthodox synagogue, sought to gather a minyan, a group of ten Jewish adults required for key prayers, at his home on Shabbat and holy days when Jewish law prohibits driving. Before Grand held even a single prayer gathering, a neighbor complained to the city’s mayor and asked him to “put a stop to this.” [Press Release]
SCOTUS agrees to hear case of a city barring a minyan in a private home Read More »
Antisemitism, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Press Release
We shared moments of joy and celebration. We learned together, moved together, laughed together, and showed up for one another. We gathered around Jewish culture, ideas, music, stories, holidays, and traditions. We watched children grow, friendships deepen, families connect, and people of every age find a place to belong. [Liz Nederlander Coden and Hannah Cohen]
Wonderful feelings of togetherness and learning at JCC Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Rav Nahman of Breslov taught: The whole world is a narrow bridge— and the essential thing is not to be afraid. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
High Holiday wisdom in poetry and prose Read More »
Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Should you take a nap on Rosh Hashanah? It is a praiseworthy custom not to sleep during the day on Rosh Hashanah, as the day is considered the “New Year” and a time for spiritual preparation. The Talmud notes that if one sleeps at the beginning of the year, “his good fortune also sleeps.” [Cailin Acosta]
It’s a custom to refrain from napping on Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
During the ceremony, representatives from the two organizations presented the first responders and members of the United States Navy with a certificate featuring Jewish National Fund-USA and KKL-JNF’s 9/11 Living Memorial in Jerusalem — the only memorial of its kind outside the United States that lists the names of all those who perished on that infamous day. [Press Release]
JNF-USA and Chabad Hebrew Academy team to honor first responders Read More »
International, Israel, Lifestyles, Press Release, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Many of the proposals, while intended to address the Jewish community’s concerns, would also help other groups. Muslim and Hindu families would also benefit from the two calendar proposals. AB 1763 would remove the parental written request and principal approval requirements for religious absences. AB 395 covers scheduling conflicts with holidays including Yom Kippur, Eid and Diwali. [Shor M. Masori]
Jewish California’s six-bill push reaches the governor Read More »
California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors