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
Two “important”questions being asked are, does Israel even have a right to exist and is Israel an apartheid state. Both have consequences for Jews in Israel, as well as for Jews in the Diaspora, whether they realize it or not. [Steve Kramer]
In Response to BDS and Apartheid Accusations Against Israell Read More »
International, Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA
Maggid Books in association with Steinsaltz Center has published part of the text of one of the two famous books by the founder of Chabad Hasidim, also called Lubavitcher Hasidim, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812). Rabbi Zalman’s other famous book is Shulchan Arukh Harav, a book that only partially survived, which deals with Jewish law. This book, a translation and commentary of part of the Tanya, originally published in Hebrew in 1797, is by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz (1937-2020) a Chabad Hasid, the author of over 60 books and more than 100 articles. Not all of Steinsaltz’s writings focus on Chabad mysticism, but this book is about Rabbi Shneur Zalman’s view of mysticism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
An Explanation of the Famous Book ‘Tanya’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
In this week’s Torah reading, Eikev, we are commanded to go in the ways of Hashem and to “cling to Him.” How are we to cling to what we just learned last week in Va’eschanan 4:24 is, figuratively, an “all-consuming fire”? The Sifri tells us we are to do so by clinging to and learning from Talmidei Chachamim, those wise, learned people who have vast Torah knowledge. It is a mitzvah to use our learning from Talmidei Chachamim, those who’ve spent many years refining themselves, the Mesilas Yesharim teaches us, particularly when it comes to our personal growth. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah Portion for July 31, 2021 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Michael Jeser died Saturday, July 24, from the esophogeal cancer that had prompted him to go on leave as president and chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]
The Hands of Choice, a memorial like none that has ever existed in Jewish history was installed last week in Safed, Israel. In over 3,500 years of Jewish history, no memorial has ever been created to honor Jews who chose to save Jews, even if it may have cost their own lives. [Jerry Klinger]
Jews Who Saved Other Jews Memorialized Read More »
Jerry Klinger, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Like many other villages in this semi-deserted area of central France, the population consists of a mix of old and new, native and foreign. I’ve been told that it was once a thriving place with shops of various kinds and even a café, but now there is no sign of its former commercial activity, and it is purely residential. However, it still has an imposing building housing the mayor’s office, a library and a central hall for public activities, serving as the administrative center for several surrounding villages. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
Slow Pace of Village Life in Central France Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, Travel and Food
…–Judge Grants Trump Another Continuance in Trial for Incitement
–Jeff Bezos Purchases USA-Renames It Unfettered Sales of Amazon … [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Headlines for 10 Years from Today Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – News came over the Internet about a Florida man being arrested on Wednesday after he was found in possession of a still living Goliath Grouper which he had caught off a bridge in Islamorada. Goliath Groupers, which can grow to 800 pounds, are a protected species. The one
Judaism, Islam, and a fish walk into an article… Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — One thing is clear about the recent decision by Ben & Jerry’s to stop selling ice cream in what the company described as “Occupied Palestinian Territory” (referring to parts of the West Bank and eastern Jerusalem): Jewish opinions about the frozen products are on fire. As the passionate
Choosing a Flavor of Response to the Ben & Jerry’s Boycott Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, USA
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Within a week, Pope Francis and two prominent black men took steps that can only benefit the Jewish people in a followup, perhaps coincidental, to a rally of Jews and others who gathered near Capitol Hill to protest antisemitism. The July 11 event in Washington, D.C., with an
Recruiting Allies in the Fight Against Antisemitism Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USA
North Coast Rep Theater is not going to go gentle into that good night. On the contrary, they are rounding out this streaming season with the intense one-man psychological thriller, Dr. Glas. The novel, penned by Hjalmar Söderberg, is a staple in Scandinavia, but lesser-known in North America. It was first published in 1905, set in Stockholm at the turn of the century. The plot unearths a moral dilemma and one man’s obsession. [Eva Trieger]
Daniel Gerroll Stars in North Coast Rep’s ‘Dr. Glas’ Read More »
Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & BroadcastWell, here we are on this Shabbat Nachamu reminding us that in just seven weeks we’ll be celebrating Rosh Hashana. This “Sabbath of comforting,” from the haftarah in the Book of Isaiah, we read, Nachamu, nachamu ami “Comfort, comfort my people,” and we have the first of the seven haftorot, Sheva deNechamata, of consolation helping us prepare psychologically and spiritually for the holiday of Rosh Hashana. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Torah Reading for July 24, 2021 Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Many Jews would like to find an easy way to learn what Judaism teaches about various subjects. Rabbi Dr. Natan Slifkin, an Orthodox rabbi, gives them this information in his fact-filled book Rationalism vs. Mysticism: Schisms in Traditional Jewish Thought, with quotes from many sources and many learned footnotes, all easy to read.[Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Book Review: ‘Rationalism versus Mysticism’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish ReligionRecently, Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the Jewish Federations of North America and former CEO of Hillel International, reported that a new level of antisemitic intensity has been reached. Whether antisemitic sentiment itself has increased or merely has just become more acceptable, he isn’t sure. Regardless, the reality of overt Jew-hatred in the US and Canada is being felt more intensely – to say the least. [Steve Kramer]
Worrisome Growth of Antisemitism in U.S. Read More »
Middle East, Steve Kramer, USA