AAA-Writers and photographers

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

Why the great Talmudists valued contrary opinions

The Talmud has always been a champion of free speech. It is a unique document of human history where rabbis engage philosophers, wise women, emperors, Roman centurions, and a host of other people as they debate the meaning of life and the message of Judaism. Rabbinical discourse is dialectical. It presents a no-hold-bars approach to virtually any topic, from war and peace to the laws governing sexual relations. But be forewarned: the Talmud is not for the faint of heart. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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International, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA

ADL, Jewish Federation team to boost community security

Matthew Brown had 20 years experience as a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation before becoming the Homeland Security Program Manager for the San Diego Unified Port District. Earlier this month he joined the staff of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) as part of a three-year partnership program with the Jewish Federation of San Diego County to improve security for the local Jewish community. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, USA

Moses knew how to relinquish leadership

There’s a Jewish maxim, “Every generation receives the leader it deserves.” Parasha Pinchas seems to provide a foundation for this old adage. The parasha distinguishes between the leadership of Moses, who in today’s language would be described as a wise, dauntless, self-aware, “we” not “me,” conscious leader, and Joshua, of whom the Talmud, in Baba Batra 75A, says, “The Elders of that generation said: The countenance of Moses was like that of the sun; the countenance of Joshua like that of the moon. Alas, for such shame!” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Deuteronomy, midrashim, and current police practices

In one of its first San Diego presentations, Avodah held a webinar on Tuesday, July 7, on the issue of police accountability. Rabbi Aryeh Bernstein, director of the Justice Fellowship in Avodah’s Chicago offices, began by quoting Deuteronomy 16:18-20: [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Business & Finance, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

White moves first; is chess racist?

Given the assault on “whiteness” that we see today, some people of the ultra-left claim that chess is a racist game since it pits the “whites” vs. the “blacks.” To certain individuals, this game accentuates the problems some see in race relations. To make matters further complicated, the white pieces go before the black pieces. This is perceived by those who consider themselves “woke” (people who are super-sensitive to racism) as a “racially biased.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Local Jewish agencies, synagogues set web lectures

A full schedule of local lectures and seminars is being offered this week on Zoom or Facebook, thereby providing some Jewish-themed diversion and learning for those who are sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA

What is the Book of Esther really about?

Maggid Books has just published an excellent comprehensive 493-page study of the biblical Book of Esther called Esther: Power, Fate, and Fragility in Exile by Erica Brown, Ph.D, an award-winning author of many books, lecturer, and Jewish teacher. Brown tells readers exactly what the Bible text is saying, not what people read into it. She does so in clear, easy to read language. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion

July Fourth, American history, and cultural myths

The Fourth of July is my friend Ben Dishman’s birthday, just as it was the birthday of my late father, Martin B. Harrison.  When both of them were pre-schoolers, their parents fibbed to them that the fireworks and celebrations all were in honor of their birthdays.  Of course, they both believed the story, as it had come from what for them was the source of all knowledge — their parents.  It wasn’t until they were old enough to go to school that they were disabused of the notion by their classmates. [Donald H. Harrison]

July Fourth, American history, and cultural myths Read More »

Ben Dishman, Donald H. Harrison, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Six valorous Jewish women of San Diego

When it comes to the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, not even COVID19 can stand up to the chutzpah, commitment and ingenuity of Associate Producer Ali Viterbi and co-writers Leah Salovey, Sarah Price Keating and Becca Myers, Associate Producer of JFest, as they bring us the 11th annual “Women of Valor.”  This virtual show is a tribute to our local women, some unsung and others, banner-waving, who have created a more humane, compassionate, and impactful Jewish San Diego.  [Eva Trieger]

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Eva Trieger, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

A Word of Torah: Three kinds of commandments

We are taught that there are three categories of commandments; Judgments, Testimonials, and Decrees. Judgments are the commandments that we understand on our own that they need to be done. For instance, we realize the importance of having fair weights and measures, or of making sure our property doesn’t damage another, or that we should return lost objects. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

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Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

American independence, coronavirus, and racial justice

When we talk about the Declaration of Independence and the freedom it envisioned for the people of the United States, our conversations are likely to turn to the two great issues facing our country today: the coronavirus pandemic and the racial justice movement. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA