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
This novel concerns a Mexican-American family of mixed Catholic and Jewish religious backgrounds, one which celebrates Easter and Passover, Chanukah and Christmas as cultural holidays rather than religious ones. There is plenty of drama in the Alvarado family, but not because of any noticeable differences in religious outlook. [Donald H. Harrison]
‘L.A. Weather’ Stormy for Four Marriages Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
A new year, a new start, a new beginning as we celebrate Rosh Hashanah 5782. [Donald and Nancy Harrison]
Rosh Hashanah Wishes from the Co-Publishers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
Meticulous research documents the lives of the Rabinowitz family in small town Poland; their suffering after the Nazis invaded; their miraculous escape to the forest, where they survived in hiding for several years; their post-war relocation to Italy, while awaiting permission to immigrate to Palestine; their decision to move instead to the United States; their lives in Connecticut; and the marriage of daughter Ruth to a future rabbi, from whom author Rebecca Frankel received her Jewish education. [Donald H. Harrison]
Biography Tells of Jewish Family’s Holocaust Survival in the Forest Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, USA
Koren Publishers Jerusalem has just published an excellent single 2033 page volume of the entire Hebrew Bible, the Tanakh, with the beautiful classic Koren Hebrew font and a new, modern, readable translation of the Torah, Prophets, and Writings by the recently deceased Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, and other scholars. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Koren Publishes New Version of the Tanakh Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Do you believe that our universe, and all other possible universes, was created by an everlasting supreme force? Or, do you believe that our universe, and all other possible universes, was created ex nihilo, out of nothing but coincidence? Is it even relevant? [Steve Kramer]
Are U.S. Jews Losing Their Respect for Judaism? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
This is a novel about a survivor’s guilt. Millie Mosbach, a German-American Jew returns to Berlin immediately after World War II to participate in the denazification program administered by the U.S. Army. She and her brother had left Germany while still teenagers; American benefactors had arranged for her to attend Bryn Mawr College on a scholarship. Foregoing higher education, David was quick to enlist in the Army; he wanted to fight Germans. [Donald H. Harrison]
Survivor’s Guilt in Post-War Germany Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
Last week we read in Nitzavim about standing in place and on this coming Shabbos we read about moving and transitioning in Vayelech. Are we ready to get up and move? I’m not talking about physical exercise, but rather spiritual growth, renewing ourselves from one year to the next. Vayelech [“And he went…”] represents our recognition of the power of moving “forward onward, upward together.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Moving Forward, Onward, Upward Together Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Erez Raz, who studied Landscape Architecture at the Technion, has assembled some of the projects he has worked on in recent years, presenting them in an exhibition displaying his varied talents and original approach to combining interior and exterior spaces in public life. The projects presented depict his approach to different stages of urban life, ranging from childhood play through adolescence and sport to adult activities such as shopping and driving. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Integrating Leisure and Pleasure Into Architectural Projects Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Lifestyles, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
To the melody of “Deep in the Heart of Texas” By Laurie Baron My neighbor spies, he’ll moralize When I get my abortion. He’ll report me, so legally For a ten grand extortion. Those who abet will soon regret They helped me commit a crime. Six weeks just flew before I knew A fetus lived
Satire: Deep in the Hell of Texas Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — On August 29, Jane Fantel of Carmel Valley posted a heartfelt message on Facebook to mark one year since an “amazing young woman came into my life” — referring to Klil Amar, The Jewish Agency for Israel’s ShinShinit (service year emissary) at the KAVOD Charter School, Congregation Beth
Bringing Israel to San Diego: The ‘Magic’ of Hosting a Young Emissary Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, San Diego County
These are the Developments of the Human by Ethan Daniel Davidson; self-published 2021; ISBN 1978057-883010; 459 pages; price not listed. By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Ethan Daniel Davidson’s These are the Developments of the Human is a collection of poetic commentaries on thoughts drawn from the Pentateuch. His background is
‘These are the Developments of the Human’ Offers Novel Concept, Poetic Commentaries Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
This is a story for Young Adults set in the turbulent 1960s, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously struck down anti-miscegenation laws in 16 states via its decision in Loving v. Virginia. Leah, a recent high school graduate, has fallen in love with Raj, whose family immigrated from India. Raj, a business major at New York University, faces the same problem that the Jewish Leah does; his parents want him to marry within his own religion, which is Hindu. [Donald H. Harrison]
Young Adult Novel Deals With Miscegenation, Dysgraphia, Antisemitism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. HarrisonBy Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — This week’s Torah portion Nitzavim, with its majestic and simultaneously chilling tone, is always read on the Shabbat before Rosh Hashanah. That’s right, it’s only a few days away. It asks us where we stand as we enter the new year. The parasha teaches that Hashem tells us, “I
Parashat Nitzavim: Choosing Life Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — During his 1968 presidential campaign, Robert F. Kennedy proposed sending 50 military planes to Israel. Two decades later, Sirhan B. Sirhan revealed that RFK’s support of Israel motivated him to fatally shoot RFK in the pantry of a Los Angeles hotel on June 5, 1968. Five months from now,
RFK Assassin Calls Himself a ‘Peacemaker,’ But Does He Deserve Parole? Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USA