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 Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. It’s mighty difficult to sing while confined within onerous circumstances. As we read in this week’s parasha, only after we were freed, we were able to recognize Hashem as the God of creation at the Red Sea. Welcome to “Shabbos Shirah — the “Sabbath of Song.” A time to become infused
Parashat Beshalach: Singing for Strength Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — How Jesus Became God by Dr. Bart D. Ehrman is an excellent, comprehensive, easy to read history about the beginning of Christianity by a man who was once a very conservative Christian, who is now an agnostic, but who offers readers a non-dogmatic, respectful, historical examination
How Did Early Christians Begin to Believe Jesus was God? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr.
For centuries, Jewish merchants have made an impact on every country and society in which they lived. We can find some good examples of this at our very first stop on our Interstate 5 tour, the sprawling Las Americas Premium Outlets center which sits close to the Mexican border on the U.S. side. It attracts thousands of shoppers from both countries. The 56.1-acre complex was built in 2007, and at a recent count had 125 stores, most being representative of well-known brand names. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Brothers Became Shopping-Mall Magnates Read More »
Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA
By Alex Gordon, Ph.D HAIFA, Israel — When I was a university student, I had to take an exam on the history of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. The students were afraid of not only the exam but also the lecturer administering the test — a student-hater, and a tough, unpleasant man who
The World Revolution Read More »
Alex Gordon, International
By Laurie Baron, Ph.D SAN DIEGO — After his press conference today, Donald Trump will host a costume party at Mar-a-Lago. He’s encouraging guests to dress up as shamans, paramilitary vigilantes, KKK members, or to just to wear their MAGA hats, QAnon tee shirts, and Guy Fawkes masks. It is a BYOBR event, bring your
Satire: 1/6 Commemorations Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Across the pond, Jewish leaders are protesting the BBC’s news coverage of an incident in which pro-Palestinian advocates threatened Jewish bus passengers in London. The BBC is accused by Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, of falsely reporting that Jews on the
The Larger Issue at Play in the BBC’s Flawed Reporting Controversy Read More »
Bruce Ticker, International, Middle East, USA
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, USABy 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