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 Rabbi Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Whatever one believes, it is widely agreed upon that God did not divide the Bible into sentences, paragraphs, and chapters. So what happened to make the reading and understanding of the Bible easier? Masorites The division between sentences and paragraphs as well as punctuation signs were initiated
What Many Do Not Know About Bible Chapters Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
If he were so inclined, Greg Smith could have a lot to brag about. Over a period of 25 years, he won seven elections to serve as the San Diego County Assessor as well as the county’s recorder and clerk. He headed a staff of between 400 and 500 county workers in the combined operations of assessor-recorder-clerk. [Donald H. Harrison]
Greg Smith: A Quarter Century as Assessor, Recorder, Clerk Read More »
Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Travel and Food
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Oh, no! Not another election, I cried when I heard the news on the radio. Once again, after enjoying an uplifting symphony concert we get into the car, turn the radio on to catch up on the day’s news and are hit with the devastating information that since
Here We Go Again: Another Election in Israel? Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Middle East, Opinion
By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — In postwar Germany, the humiliating burden of enormous contributions created an enormous economic crisis, hyperinflation, and impoverishment. Everything was devalued and the demand for antisemitism grew. During the Weimar Republic, articles accusing Jews of pushing the country into war and losing it were increasing in number. In 1922, the
The Murder of An ‘Elder of Zion’ Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Opinion
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — As Jerry Seinfeld would put it, “And you want to be prime minister again?” While Seinfeld once caught George Costanza sprawled on the floor in his underwear after stumbling in Seinfeld’s living room, last week Benjamin Netanyahu stumbled – a generous description – by comparing accusations against his family
With Bibi’s Bungling, Who Needs Antisemites? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, Opinion
By Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — It is shameful and unconscionable that this country has allowed gun violence to become the leading cause of death among children in the United States – but that is the reality. The legislation, including gun measures, recently proposed by a bipartisan group of senators represents a step in the
Repeal the Second Amendment, Palladium of Death Read More »
Opinion, Sam Ben-Meir, USA
Israel’s significance as a Middle Eastern powerhouse has reached new levels with the help of two seminal events: the discovery of natural gas in Eastern Mediterranean waters and the success of the Abraham Accords between Israel and some Muslim Arab neighbors. Before, Israel was knocking on the door of the Arab and European countries; now, many of those countries have opened the door or soon will. Israel has what they want. (Steve Kramer)
Natural Gas Adds to Israel’s International Acceptance Read More »
Business & Finance, International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
Calev says, “Let’s go,” but he was ignored when the people listened to and bought the groupthink, “…the people are big and strong, and the land is difficult. The people there are giants; we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves, and so we must have looked to them.” So much for Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not fear…” Calev was not the cognitive coach he may have hoped he’d be, since he could not help the People overcome their cognitive distortion that led them to want to return to Egypt. It takes independence of thought, being “FIT” (fundamentally independent thinking), to move forward to achieve optimal living. They held on to their slave mindset due to their cognitive distortions. Through the Spies, Hashem tested our abilities to see through negative filters and properly, with wisdom, discernment and insight, see what was truly good and bad. The spies magnified the negative and minimized the positive – a common distortion that many of us are also guilty of doing. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parasha Shelach: Guard Against Negative Thoughts, Gossip Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellThe book contains two main plots. Most startling and fascinating is the idea that followers of President Trump were able to turn the 2020 election results so that President Trump won a second four year term and changed America into a kind of Nazi country, doing things to the president’s enemies that equaled if not exceeded what the Nazis did. [Rabbi Israel Drazin]
Book Review: ‘The Plot to Save America’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., USA
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — I spared a fly from being swatted and commissioned it to go to Mar-a-Lago, stick on a wall, and monitor Donald Trump’s reactions to the Select Committee Hearings. Here’s some of Trump’s comments that he reported back to me. “Unlike me, Bill Barr’s a loser. A loyal AG would
Satire: Trump Watching the Select Committee Hearings Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Garrett did a small set and was the MC. He mostly riffed on the audience, and after “bageling” himself as a tall Jew did a fair amount of ethnic humor. Ethnic humor generally makes me a little nervous because I don’t know how people will take it. Until I see if they’re ok with it, I’m not sure how to react. He handled it well though, equally picking on everyone so no one group was singled out for offense. The audience responded well and by their laughter seemed to enjoy it. [Donald H. Harrison]
Brad Garrett and Friends Delight in Bellflower Read More »
California, Sandi Masori, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Beginning in 2014, Rabbi and Mrs. Meltzer invested $100 per month in the Kiva organization until they had built up a credit of approximately $8,000. They pored over lists of worthy borrowers, who were vetted by Kiva’s microloan partners throughout the world. The Meltzers then decided to which borrowers they wished to make interest-free repayable loans. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi Scott Meltzer Introduces B’nai Mitzvah to the Joy of Giving Read More »
Business & Finance, California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USAOy! There’s a lot of whining in this week’s Torah reading.
Come to think of it, it appears to be the basis of one of my mother’s oft-repeated sayings, “Keep complaining and I’ll really give you something to complain about.” We are world-class kvetchers, aren’t we? The food isn’t good enough, the seat at the table isn’t good enough, the hotel room isn’t the best, the politics, oy gevalt, the list goes on and on. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Parasha Behaalotecha: Stop Complaining, Be Grateful Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel —The novel Silbermann by Jacques de Lacretelle, which I read in French, was first published in 1922 It describes the life of a French schoolboy and his relations with a Jewish classmate. The general atmosphere in the school is one of rigid discipline and, as is often the case
A Prescient Account of Life in Pre-War France Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson