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. In this week’s parasha we learn about the psychology of living life well, that is, how to strengthen our character. This includes a) reinforcing our spirituality and b) intensifying our commitment to a strong work ethic, two areas of contemporary societal life that are clearly in need of improvement. וְאַתֵּנָה
Parashat Vayetzei: Strengthening Our Character Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
The 14th year of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices will open Monday evening, November 15, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom with an unusual program featuring three outstanding creative artists in our community, Dr. Richard Alan Schere, Ruth Weber and her daughter, Emilia Lopez-Yanez. [Eileen Wingard]
Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Resumes Nov. 15 on Zoom Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County
Virtually all, if not all that we are told about Isaac is obscure, as with Abraham and Jacob. The Torah leaves out explanations for behaviors, leaving it to us to imagine what occurred and to derive meaning from our own ideas. The following are some examples of opaque events. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
What Do We Know About Isaac, the Second Patriarch? Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
A friend in the US recently asked me what I thought about Israel’s new government. My replay: It’s a government! Finally, after four elections in two years, the victory of a wide-ranging coalition government last spring meant that there was a good chance the election frenzy would end. The prerequisite for the government’s survival was to pass a budget before mid-November. If not, new elections would be scheduled and the government would be reduced to “caretaker” status only. [Steve Kramer]
At Long Last, Israel Has a Working Government Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer
In a style reminiscent of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs of Disney fame, this book, reissued for Hanukkah, features a series of unidimensional characters with Yiddish names: Noshy Boy, Kvetchy Boy, Shmutzy Girl, Klutzy Boy, Shluffy Girl, Shleppy Boy, Kibbitzy Girl, and Keppy Girl. [Donald H. Harrison]
Chanukah with Some Stereotypical Yiddish Characters Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
Although many countries at the COP26 Climate Summit concur that the world must address the threat posed by global warming, none seem willing to immediately adopt radical measures to deal with it sufficiently.
At the COP-26 (Conspiracy of Polluters), big corporations have proposed their own solutions. [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Corporate Industry to the Rescue Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Abe Goldberg’s mother, Bronia, and stepfather Harry Sajgeman died within three months of each other in the mid-1980s, but due perhaps to a communications error, most people at Tifereth Israel Synagogue were unaware that he and his wife, Bea, were sitting shiva, alone, at their home. Because the Goldbergs lacked the ten Jewish adults necessary to say kaddish during the seven-day mourning period, they were left feeling forlorn. [Donald H. Harrison]
A Grateful Synagogue Bids a Surprise Farewell to Constant Volunteers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
Seacrest Village Retirement Community dedicated a portable Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark) donated by Jeanne Gold in memory of her late husband Rabbi Aaron S. Gold at Kabbalat Shabbat services on Friday, Nov. 5. [Donald H. Harrison]
Portable Holy Ark Dedicated at Seacrest Village Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, USA
Philo of Alexandria’s insights is among the most original expositions of Parshat Toledot, this week’s Torah portion. According to him, Isaac is well-aware of Esau’s shortcomings, but he wishes to bless his son so that he might realize his hidden spiritual potential. Bu in the end, as we know, Jacob took his brother’s blessings. Philo saw Jacob’s relationship to Esau as a spiritual mentor. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Philo on the Rivalry between Jacob and Esau Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
The San Francisco School Board voted 6-1 on January 29 to rename over 40 schools. The Board believes it inappropriate to have schools named for people who have been “engaged in the subjugation and enslavement of human beings, oppressed women, committed acts that led to genocide or who otherwise significantly diminished the opportunities of those amongst us to the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” [Jerry Klinger]
OpEd: Removal of Adolph Sutro’s Name from a School Was a Travesty Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Two well-known members of the San Diego Jewish community have announced their intentions to run for public office in the 2022 local elections: Barbara Bry and Shana Hazan. [Donald H. Harrison]
Bry and Hazan: 2 Jewish Women Seek S.D. Offices Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, USAChula Vista community leaders came out on Tuesday, Nov. 4, to address the problem of anti-Semitic and anti-LGBT graffiti that was written across the Bonita Vista High School building over the Halloween holiday this past week. Although Councilmember Steven Padilla pointed out that graffiti, in general, is not an unusual incident when it comes to Halloween. However, this year, the Chula Vista community must stand together in complete solidarity and condemn this kind of hateful activity, he said. Our community must declare that hatred and intolerance cannot be tolerated. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Chula Vista Leaders Rally Against Antisemitism Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County
During my daughter Harriet’s recent visit from Portland, Oregon, I suggested we visit the Chula Vista Public Library to see the Holocaust Exhibit arranged by our friend, Sandra Scheller. Harriet teaches Middle School Humanities at the Portland Jewish Academy and one of her classes is learning about the Holocaust. The drive down from University City was under 25 minutes. Both of us found this visit profoundly worthwhile. Sandra met us there and gave us a private docent tour. [Eileen Wingard]
Visit to Holocaust Exhibit Impresses Mother and Daughter Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Jewish History, Middle East, USA
Those “authoritarian school board Nazis.” “Israel literally owned Congress.” Reckless words. Wacky parents raging at school officials? Pro-Arab students whipping a crowd into a frenzy? Comparable words were uttered by them, yet such words were echoed in the past week by the unfiltered voices of Republicans Donald Trump and Ted Cruz. [Bruce S. Ticker]
OpEd: Jews Endangered by Trump’s and Cruz’s Reckless Words Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA