Below are the names of writers who are currently active. For others, living and deceased, please type their name into the search box above the masthead on our home page, www.sdjewishworld.com
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — “The liberation of the eternal city on the banks of the Tiber marked the beginning of the liberation of the eternal city on the slopes of Moria, with the resurrection of Italy begins the resurrection of Judaea,” Moses Hess, a secular Jewish philosopher, wrote in 1862 in the preface […]
Moses Hess: The Red Rabbi Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Opinion
Kristine Schomaker’s eating disorder had made her feel “othered” since her girlhood. She tried to imagine herself as a slender blonde but when she looked into the mirror, she saw herself as she was, a very large woman. Rather than hide from her physical presence, she decided to embrace it. She invited 59 fellow artists to depict her in the nude. Sculptures, photographs, paintings, and drawings in various media resulted in an exhibition now being shown through April 13 at the Mesa College Art Gallery. [Donald H. Harrison]
B’Shalom: Body Image, Military History, Baseball Classic, Jewish Political News Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA
Documentary filmmaker Matthew Mishory has done a deep dive into the background of a San Diego couple who lived quietly, scrimped to such a point that they even reused their paper towels, and through their daughter made the largest philanthropic donation to Israel in the history of the Jewish state: $500 million. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Story Behind a San Diego Couple’s Historic Gift to Israel Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Before being herded onto separate trains, the couple made a vow that they would meet each other back in the main square in Kaunas whenever they should be liberated. [Donald H. Harrison]
Couple’s Post-Holocaust Reunification Story Has Emotional Impact Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Two biblical Torah portions are read this week. The portion of Vayakhel, Exodus 35:1-38:20, contains the Sabbath law, which the rabbis translated as “You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day,” which the Sadducees translated as “You shall have no fire throughout
Rational Thoughts on Vayakhel, Pekudei, Shabbat, Synagogues, and More Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Saadah Masoud pledges to address his “anger issues.” Does this mean he will no longer strike Jewish New Yorkers because they are Jewish? Three acts of violence in Brooklyn and Manhattan — against Jewish men — cost Masoud 18 months of his freedom. Masoud pleaded guilty in federal court
‘Anger Issues’ Drive an Anti-Israel Bully Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Opinion, USA
By Jacob Kamaras DEL MAR, California — One year ago, Meats and Eats opened in the Del Mar Highlands Town Center with the mission of offering San Diego a new option for kosher shopping. In the ensuing months, the business also came to embrace the diversity of the local Jewish community and its palate. Jacobo
Meats and Eats Offers San Diego a More Boutique Kosher Shopping Experience Read More »
Business & Finance, Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — There are many lenses we can bring to our deep study of each week’s Torah reading. The lens I prefer is one that helps search for and find ways to lead a healthier, more meaningful, and purposeful life. This week’s double reading from Vayakhel- Pekudei is brimming with
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Hachodesh: Combining Our Hearts and Talents as One Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The tall ocotillo plant (Fouquieria splendens) that abounds in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has many common names, among them, according to the Britannica website, “coachwhip” and “vine cactus.” “Ocotillo” translates from Spanish to “little torch” because of the red flowers that grow at the end of its branches. Perhaps its most mysterious nickname is one that may or may not tell a Jewish story, “Jacob’s staff.”[Donald H. Harrison]
B’Shalom: ‘Jacob’s Staff’; TV’s ‘Equalizer,” and Israel in the WBC Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
By Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — The levels of wealth inequality we are currently witnessing in this country are unprecedented and alarming. The very richest among us have succeeded in grabbing ever more of the proverbial pie, and the trend is only worsening. Wealth inequality is proving disastrous for America. On both collective and individual
Freeing America From the Quagmire of Inequality Read More »
Opinion, Sam Ben-Meir, USA
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Einmalig, the German word for “once in a lifetime,” came to mind as Igor Levit began his piano recital in the Baker-Baum Hall at the Conrad in La Jolla with the opening passage of Brahms’ Six Choral Preludes. His opening phrase embraced my ears with its singular beauty.
Igor Levit’s Piano Recital in La Jolla: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience Read More »
Eileen Wingard, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
By Steve Kramer Michal and I recently had a novel trip to one of the world’s liveliest cities – without having to hassle with an airport! It was a four-day/three night excursion to Tel Aviv. under the auspices of the AACI – Jerusalem branch. The AACI is a group of mostly, but not exclusively native
Four Days in Tel Aviv Read More »
Israel, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food
Chabad has established vibrant and growing Jewish communities on either side of the southern tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula. The larger one, on the Pacific Ocean side in Cabo San Lucas, has strong connections to San Diego County. The other in La Paz, along the Sea of Cortez, is smaller yet also quite active. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Jews of Baja California Sur Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County
“I think the single most important thing Jews can do if they want to reduce animal suffering, to practice the value of tzaar baalei Chayim, compassion for animals, is to reduce or altogether stop eating animal products,” says Gross, who is vegan. “Even if one still continues to eat meat when out and about, it makes sense for food to be more deliberate in Jewish communal settings, which I think should be places where we aspire to have our food represent the best of our values.” [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Studies Professor Says Ethics Demand More Humane Treatment of Animals Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, The World We Share, USA