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
The PJ Library says Notice the Good Stuff: Give Thanks is for 8-year-olds, but I think there are many adults who would profit as well from its upbeat message. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Fun of Giving Thanks Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
For its October selection for 4-year-old children, PJ Library has brought back an oldie but a goodie: Chicken Man, the story of a kibbuitznik who does everything well, because he has such a good work attitude. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Kibbutznik Who Did Everything Well Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In the whole of the Torah, there are only six portions that are named after an individual. Don’t look for parasha Avraham or Moshe. But we do have the Noach Ish Tzaddik Tamim Hayah BeDorotav the wholehearted, righteous man, “perfect in his generation.” Yes, there are of course
Parashat Noach: Seeking Out Righteousness Over Arrogance Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
In Stein’s version of the story, illustrated by Sabina Hahn, Jonah is a teacher, whose class of elementary school students meets under a tree. He told the children stories, brought them snacks of figs and raisins, and gently reproved naughty behavior. He was such a good teacher that God decided he would be ideal for teaching the people of Nineveh {Mosul, in modern-day Iraq) that they must change their evil ways. [Donald H. Harrison]
Story Book Interprets the Jonah Tale for Children Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — I wrote in past reviews of Chaim Grade’s books that I and many others are convinced Grade deserves the Nobel Prize for literature. Most readers of his book published in Yiddish in 1967, titled Tsemakh Atlas and translated into English in 1976 as The Yeshiva in
‘The Yeshiva:’ Chaim Grade’s Crowning Achievement Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr.
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — Tragedies often have a comic origin. This affair started out as being amusing and pleasurable, as well as uplifting, life-affirming and optimistic. It is August 25, 1917 Berlin. The premier of the operetta, The Black Forest Girl (Schwarzwaldmädel) is performed at the Komische Oper theatre. It has been a
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — For a number of technical reasons we decided to hold our family celebration marking a milestone birthday in the neighbouring island of Cyprus. Family members came from various parts of Israel and the world, a hotel in the seaside resort of Ayia Napa was chosen and the dates
Our Friendly Neighbor Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Israel, Middle East, Travel and Food
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — Fabienne Perlov, who on Monday assumes the position of regional director at the Anti-Defamation League’s San Diego office, brings an approach shaped by diplomacy and diversity to a high-profile organization known locally and nationally for combating antisemitism and all forms of hate. In her first media interview pertaining
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — There are many widely different interpretations of the biblical book Ecclesiastes, Kohelet in Hebrew. Here is another one. A non-traditional one. It sees the book telling readers how they should behave. The name The root kahal in Hebrew means “assembly.” The Latin Ecclesiastes has the same
A Non-Traditional Interpretation of Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
A political action group calling itself San Diegans Against Hate has come out in opposition to La Mesa City Council candidate Mejgan Afshan, describing her anti-Israel positions as antisemitic. Afshan, daughter of Afghan refugees, was invited via her campaign website to respond on Wednesday, Oct. 19, by San Diego Jewish World, but had not done so by late afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 20. [Donald H. Harrison]
Anti-Israel Advocacy Becomes Issue in La Mesa City Council Race Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Israel, San Diego County, USABy Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — From 1843 to 1854 the literature of Germany, a country which had been fragmented into 36 states, began to produce unifying folk tales in which the German nation began to crystallize. The founding father of the new national identity expressed through literature was the writer Berthold Auerbach. He portrayed
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Perhaps these students had not advanced far enough in law school to recognize that the murder of women and gays is, well, murder. Otherwise, the Women of Berkeley Law would most certainly have rallied against the “honor killings” of women that ravage the Arab world, and the Queer Caucus
What’s Israel Got to Do, Got to Do with Sexism and Homophobia? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, California, Israel, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — We increasingly are entering perpetual holiday mode from Halloween through New Year’s Day. Now it appears the holidays are becoming homogenized. As evidence of this phenomenon, look at the photo below of a decoration atop the chimney of a house in my neighborhood. It shows a skeletal Santa next
Hallowmas: Homogenizing the Holidays Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — With Bereishit We Begin Learning Torah… With our holiday season behind us, we begin anew by recounting the Seven Days of Creation, reading the story of the very first Shabbat – Hashem’s Shabbat. This experience with the right mindset, brings a deep sense of gratitude, comfort, awe,
Parashat Bereishit: Beginning Anew With the Right Mindset Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell