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Parsha Bo: Before redemption, courage to move without certainty

Parsha Bo is often remembered for its drama including the final plagues, the rising tension, the night that reshaped Jewish history. Yet beneath the spectacle, the Torah is asking a quieter, deeply personal question: “what actually prevents a human being from changing?” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

10 Reasons for Christians to be Zionists

What sets Christian Zionism 101 apart is its vitality: short, punchy chapters, bold headings, scripture sidebars, and over 200 footnotes for depth. At 206 pages, it’s ideal for individuals, study groups, or newcomers. Early feedback, including Amazon’s 4.5-star average, praises its humble, bridge-building tone. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Justin Hurwitz

Justin Hurwitz (January 22, 1985) is an American film composer and television writer. He is best known for his longtime friendship and collaboration with director Damien Chazelle, scoring each of his films: Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009), Whiplash (2014), La La Land (2016), First Man (2018), and Babylon (2022). [Wikipedia]

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Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Jews in the News: Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026

Lisa Berman Hernandez, president of Tifereth Israel Synagogue, shed some light on what led up to her congregation’s American-Israeli Rabbi Hanan Leberman being disinvited to deliver the benediction at an “All Peoples” breakfast on Monday honoring the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, News Media, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USA

Parsha Bo: Awakening the heart amid modern darkness

The Rebbe replied: This plague was not darkness in the eyes alone. It was a deeper darkness—a numbness of the heart where no one cared for their neighbor. No one felt the pain of another. No one rose to help the hopeless or answer cries of despair. In that profound apathy, society descended into terrifying isolation. That is the terror of such darkness. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Jews in the News: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Deborah Lipstadt, a former special envoy to counter antisemitism in Joe Biden’s administration, and Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, were offended by reports that Kamala Harris’ vetting team for her potential vice presidential running mates asked Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro if he had ever been a double agent for Israel. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The disrupted dream: A fractured fellowship in San Diego

The reason cited—”concerns over potential disruption related to Zionism”—was a direct strike at Rabbi Leberman’s lifelong identity. As a man who has studied, served, and raised a family in Israel, his very presence was deemed a liability. This was no minor logistical adjustment; it was a deliberate choice that erased the presence of Jewish clergy from an event meant to embody Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Brahms interpreted by pianist Mark-Andre Hamelin at SDSO concert conducted by Thomas Guggeis

With large gestures, the tall, slim Guggeis led the San Diego musicians in a memorable concert featuring the 64-year-old French-Canadian pianist, Marc-Andre Hamelin, in a dramatic rendition of Brahms’ Piano Concerto #1 in D minor, followed, after intermission, by an inspiring reading of Dvorak’s 7th Symphony. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Was Shakespeare Jewish?

Some support for the view that Shakespeare was not an antisemite and possibly even a Jew comes from the speech by the Jew Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, delivered in Act III, Scene 1, of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. The speech defends Jewish humanity in response to the mistreatment he suffered at the hands of some Christians. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jews in the news: Sunday, Jan. 19, 2026

“By sharing our expertise with U.S. agencies, we help investigators across the United States to better understand the unique customs surrounding Jewish fatalities,” said ZAKA U.S. Executive Director Moshe Rozenberg. “We showcase how Israel has integrated these customs into its emergency and investigative practices and discuss what can be adapted in their own jurisdictions.” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA