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 Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — When one of my two sisters asked me to try and find a document about our father, who died 20 years ago, I remembered the filing cabinet. Twenty years ago it took my sisters and me many months to sort through his possessions and dispose of them. His […]
Down the Time Tunnel Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles
U.S. District Court Judge Cynthia Bashant was absolutely right to reject the joint recommendation of the defense and the prosecution to put Goldstein on four months home confinement followed by probation — without serving any hard prison time. [Donald H. Harrison]
OpEd: Judge Bashant Was Right to Sentence Ex-Rabbi Goldstein to Prison Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Shanda File, USA
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. When it comes to mitzvot, we often choose which are more comfortable, which make more sense and ultimately which we will do and not do. But as the Zohar points out, the positive commandments of which there are 248, and the negative commandments of which there are 365, correlate to
Going Beyond Social Graces Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) created a marvelous 85th anniversary celebration gala via Zoom on the last Sunday of 2021; the recording of the event remains on YoutTube. A spectacular opening, with various members of the orchestra playing at famous locations in Tel Aviv, introduced the program.
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra Turns 85, Fetes Intertwined History With the State Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — In each weekly Torah reading, we find insightful and profound lessons for our emotional evolution. This week’s parasha is certainly teeming with weighty psychological education. Often in life we become complacent in our personal station. It may not be particularly beneficial, it may not be what we ideally long
Parashat Bo: Summoning the Effort to Pursue Your Goals Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Jerry Klinger LONDON — The simple blue and white rectangular historical plaque for Sir Arnold Wesker located at a Hackney (London) school evokes a familiar identity in London. The plaque, though different in design, is easily associated with the famous (and mostly circular) Blue and White Plaque program run by English Heritage found throughout
Blue Plaque of Sir Arnold Wesker Underscores Jewish Contributions to British Life Read More »
International, Jerry Klinger, Jewish History
The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama by Rabbi Dr. Dan Ornstein; Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society; © 2021; ISBN: 0827614675; 232 pages; $20.93. By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Rabbi Dan Ornstein’s excellent book, The Trial of Cain: A Jewish Courtroom Drama, reminded me of something I once did with
Rethinking Cain’s Famed Remark, ‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Jacob Kamaras If not me, who? That was ultimately the driving force behind my agreement with Donald (Don) Harrison to become the new owner and publisher of the San Diego Jewish World. If I didn’t take this leap and do my part to ensure a vibrant future for Jewish community news and commentary here
If Not Now, When? How I Almost Delayed My First Week as Publisher Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County
By Laurie Baron, Ph.D For 2022 I wish: That polarization will be restricted to the Arctic and Antarctic Circles. That inflation will be restricted to grading and résumés. That someday the only occasions when masks will be worn are costume parties, Halloween, and operations. That a COVID variant develops that kills all other COVID variants.
Satire: New Year’s Wishes Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — The West abhors terror attacks for good reason, whether in their country or an ally. Except when it comes to Israel. Not having learned the lesson that Islamist terror doesn’t abide by any type of agreement, the U.S. and the West still think that they can buy off
The US and the West Fund the Jihadists. Really? Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
Before we embark on this American journey, let us not forget that there is Jewish life in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, that is well worth remembering. In brief, we can find it at the Centro Social Israelita, the Congregaçion Hebraica de Baja California, and in the Jewish-owned department stores and shops along Avenida de la Revoluçion. [Donald H. Harrison]
Schlepping and Schmoozing along the Interstate 5: Tijuana in the Rear View Mirror Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USAOne of the interesting points that Maimonides and Philo of Alexandria agree on in this week’s Torah portion is the role of human freedom and responsibility. Philo routinely pointed out that God is never the source of moral evil in the world—human beings are, and they alone must be responsible for the moral condition of society—whether it be good or bad, harmonious or chaotic. This idea is also one of ancient Stoicism’s greatest moral teachings. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Who’s Responsible for the Evil in the World? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiI’m really not going anywhere, but it is time for me to say thanks for your support as readers and for the memories during my tenure as the founding editor and publisher of San Diego Jewish World. [Donald H. Harrison]
SDJW’s Founding Editor Takes His Leave Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County
Over the course of six years the author toiled to trace the movements, ideas and political currents underlying two seminal terms in modern international law: ‘genocide’ and ‘crimes against humanity.’ In this undertaking he has interwoven the history and fate of his own family in Galicia (Poland and Ukraine), as well as that of a number of incidental characters, who were involved directly or indirectly in the rescue of some of his family members and the failure to save others. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
‘East West Street:’ Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Jewish History