The Shema is central to Judaism. Although a divine command and not a prayer, it is the main reading in the morning and evening services, Shacharit and Maariv. It is one of many biblical sections that contains wording that was not intended to be taken literally. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
A Modern Translation of the Shema Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
We Americans just spent 130 days having our lives thrown into blistering fiery chaos by a billionaire, Elon Musk, who did not care whom he fired, nor what private information he took, whose life he set on fire. Now he has walked away, leaving America and Americans exploding and burning down, just like a scene out of a movie. (Barrett Holman Leak0
A Reflection on the First Day of Shavuot Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThe word Hatikvah means “The Hope.” It is the first stanza of a poem written by Naphtali Herz Imber (1856-1909), a Jewish Hebrew-language poet from Złoczów, now called Zolochiv, Ukraine, then part of Austrian Galicia, in 1878. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
The Meaning of ‘Hatikvah’ Read More »
Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Alanis Morissette (June 1, 1974) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter and actress. Known for her emotive mezzo-soprano voice and confessional songwriting, she became a cultural phenomenon during the mid 1990s and early 2000s. Morissette has sold more than 75 million records worldwide, making her one of the world’s best-selling music artists. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Alanis Morissette Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
Women in Jeopardy is a “love letter to mature women who refuse to fade politely into the background,” according to director, Lisa Balderston. Three now-single women enjoy a close friendship of wine dates, fun runs and book clubs, but all of that takes a back seat to their chutzpah! [Eva Trieger]
‘Women in Jeopardy’ Prepare to Retaliate Against Dangerous Man Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Susan Essman (May 31, 1955) is an American comedian, actress, producer and writer. She is best known for her role as Susie Greene on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bobbi Wexler on Broad City, and the voice of Mittens in Bolt. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Susie Essman Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The holiday of Shavuot starts Sunday night, June 1, and ends Tuesday night, June 3. This is the holiday after Pesach anticipated by the counting of the Omer. It is traditional to eat dairy items and one of those favorites is cheesecake. [Cailin Acosta]
Countywide Shavuot Observances Listed Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Shulamit Reinharz seamlessly melds the scattered pages of her father Max Rothschild’s journals and her own commentary into compelling reading about the experience of hiding during the Holocaust. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘Hiding in Holland’ a Compelling Holocaust Memoir Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Trump demanded that Hamas release all hostages—warning that if they didn’t, “all hell will break out.” Now the U.S. is pushing Israel toward a ceasefire after only a partial release of a few hostages. There was massive bombing in Yemen, followed by a ceasefire with the Houthis that didn’t even require them to stop attacking Israel. There were threats against Qatar for financing Hamas and supporting pro-Hamas groups in the U.S.—and then trillion-dollar deals, warm hugs, and even acceptance of a $400 million luxury jet as a gift. [Yakov Nayerman]
OpEd: Trump and the ‘Mad-Man Walk’ Technique Read More »
International, Israel, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA, Yakov Nayerman
Idina Menzel (May 30, 1971) is an American actress and singer. Particularly known for her work in musicals on Broadway, she has been nicknamed the “Queen of Broadway” for her commanding stage presence, powerful mezzo-soprano voice, and reputation as one of the most influential stage actors of her generation. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish Birthday: Idina Menzel Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, WikipediaRashi, with his profound insight, offers a beautiful explanation. He teaches that God counted Israel out of God’s deep love for them, just as one counts their precious possessions. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: The Power of Being Counted Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Arendt: “Propaganda provided the foundations for building totalitarian power. The Nazis translated the propaganda lies of the movement into a functioning reality. Totalitarianism replaces all first-rate talents with crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty. The Nazis act as though the world were dominated by the Jews and needed a counter-conspiracy to defend itself.” [Eric George Tauber]
Hannah Arendt Documentary Warns of Totalitarianism Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
This past month, I had the privilege of traveling to Israel with our dear friend and Jewish National Fund-USA partner, Todd Patkin, on his first visit to our homeland since 2016. Together, we traced the past, present, and future of Zionism—not through textbooks or memories, but through blueprints and a bold vision. [Russell Robinson]
JNF-USA Tours Its Projects in Israel’s Negev Read More »
Israel, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Authored by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis, sponsored by the Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC), and supported by a coalition of 47 Jewish organizations, the bill continues to gain extraordinary bipartisan momentum in the fight against antisemitism in K-12 schools. [Press Release]
Assembly Adopts Bill Defending against Antisemitism in K-12 Schools Read More »
Antisemitism, California, Press Release, Science, Medicine, & Education