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 Jacob Kamaras (JNS) After a high-profile debate surrounding the role of antisemitism in the Jan. 15 synagogue hostage crisis in Colleyville, Texas, an Israel-education organization’s conference on cultivating greater understanding about antisemitism arguably could not have been timelier. While the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Dallas field office, Matthew DeSarno, raised eyebrows
This memoir tells of a man bouncing on the exceedingly rough seas of entrepreneurship and finding emotional safe harbor again and again in the warmth of his family. It is not your standard how-I-made-a-bundle-and-you-can-too motivational book; it is a very intimate autobiographical portrait of Del Mar resident Richard Jaffe, which he wrote with the assistance of his daughter Charly. [Donald H. Harrison]
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. This week’s Torah reading has been described as a pivot point in the Book of Exodus, where we drill down to the details of behavior in an ideal relationship with Hashem. We see repeatedly that behavior over belief is what is critical in our faith. It says quite dramatically: וַיִּקַּח֙
Parashat Mishpatim: Behavior Over Belief Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The biblical story of the prophet Elijah is interesting, but it is subject to radically different interpretations. A literal reading of scripture, without imagining acts that are not explicit in the verses, yield a negative interpretation of Elijah’s behavior with God being dissatisfied with him, criticizing
Did the Prophet Elijah Act Properly? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Laurie Baron (Tune: “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face”) SAN DIEGO — I’ve grown accustomed to this plague That keeps me sheltered in my house. I’ve grown accustomed to the masks which I wear into the stores. My smiles, my frowns Covered all around. Are automatic to me now. For breathing out and breathing
Satire: ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to this Plague’ Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
In Nestor, a neighborhood of San Diego northwest of San Ysidro, a small, two-acre, formerly abandoned burial grounds, recently undergoing restoration, is named the Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Located at 2127 Iris Street, it is so small, it sometimes is called Mount Oliveito Cemetery. It is surrounded by single-family residences. [Donald H. Harrison]
Bible Inspired Name of Cemetery in Nestor Neighborhood Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Travel and Food, USA
By Heidi Gantwerk Last Saturday, we all followed the attack in Colleyville, fearful of the worst possible ending as we also were reminded of our own local past tragedies. The Jewish Federation of San Diego County and ADL San Diego were in touch immediately to share updates and discuss potential local warnings. Federation also was
From Darkness to Light Read More »
Heidi Gantwerk, San Diego County
By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel The first proclamation of the Ten Commandments, “ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,” (Exod. 20:2) has puzzled Jewish scholars and philosophers for well over 2,000 years. Maimonides deduced from this passage the biblical precept
Is Belief a Commandment? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — “Prayers answered,” tweeted Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. “All hostages are out alive and safe.” What a relief that pro-gun advocates routinely offer prayers whenever innocent people are threatened with or harmed by firearms. Abbott maintained the pattern as we worried what would become of the four hostages at Congregation
All We Can Do is (Ahem!) Pray Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USABy Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — In his Guide for the Perplexed, book 3, chapter 51, in the easy to read translation by M. Friedlander, Maimonides (1138-1204) tells readers: “The present chapter does not contain any additional matter that has not been treated in the [previous] chapters of this treatise. It is
Maimonides’ View on the Proper Way to Worship God Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
This is an academic work, yet a very personal one for Bernice Lerner of Boston University’s Center for Character and Social Responsibility. The Jewish girl referred to in the subtitle was author Lerner’s mother, Rachel Genuth. Her Romanian hometown of Seghet was annexed by Hungary, then an ally of Nazi Germany. Teenaged Genuth and the town’s other Jews were rounded up and sent to Auschwitz. [Donald H. Harrison]
Author Tells of Survivor Mother and the Extraordinary Medical Campaign that Saved Her Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish HistoryBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. In this week’s parasha, Yitro, one of the six portions termed for an individual, we discover the Ten Commandments, the Aseret HaDib’rot, being revealed to Moses and to the Israelites in the wilderness. We see from this pinnacle experience that the Torah can be learned anywhere, even in a wilderness,
Parashat Yitro: Covering Our Challah Loaves Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Hershey Felder created another hit with Mozart and Figaro in Vienna, streamed January 9 from Florence, Italy. In this musical film, Felder portrayed Mozart’s librettist, the remarkable Emmanuele Conegliano, better known as Lorenzo Da Ponte, the name given him when his father converted the family from Judaism to
‘Mozart and Figaro in Vienna’ is Hershey Felder’s Latest Hit Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Their story starts off as a tale of conflict between two towns, one of which grows apples, and the other which raises honey bees. When the residents of Dvash stripped an apple tree in the town of Tapuchim, the first reaction of the adult residents of Tapuchin was to retaliate against Dvash. But a little girl suggested that before they do anything, they should seek the advice of their rabbi. [Donald H. Harrison]
Children’s Literature: Turning Conflict into Cooperation Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Travel and Food