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As it stands today, two local Jewish candidates are leaders in their respective political races, while six others finished second — good enough to make the Nov. 3 runoff election. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
8 local Jewish candidates positioning for Nov. 3 runoff Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Sandi Masori
This week’s parasha, Tzav, is filled with korbans, “offerings,” from burnt ones (“olah”), to thanksgiving ones (“todah”) , to peace ones (“shlamim”), the latter sometimes referred to as “goodwill” or “wellbeing” ones. We surely need peace and wellbeing now in the midst of the “coronapocalypse” we are asked to grow through. So, the timeliness of delving into the laws of the “sacrifice of the shlamim,”are especially timely. Why? Because as we as we learn in Tanchuma Tzav, 10, “Great is the shlamim, for they bring peace between Israel and their Father in Heaven.” [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
The Torah, quarantines, and wellbeing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Editor’s Note: Columnist Laurie Baron has been scouring the TV and Internet services for movies of Jewish interest that you can watch at home. Combined with the previous installments of his research, it is quite a collection. Here are links to Parts I, II, III, IV, V, and VI.
Streaming Jewish vidoes at home, Part VII Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
My friends sent me the following good Coronavirus jokes. Even in terrible times, we should keep up optimistic good humor. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Laughing, even during a pandemic Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Trivia, Humor & Satire
In ancient times, the rabbis knew much about the excesses of piety. In their effort to promote normalcy in the lives of their followers, the rabbis took a strident position toward those individuals.
The Jerusalem Talmud records a remarkable teaching that could certainly apply to today’s time: [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
The delusions of piety Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle EastSure, we’re all quarantined, hopefully wisely respecting the directives to stay home and not expose ourselves and others to COVID19. Indeed, someone posted this stark wake-up call recently in social media, “Coronavirus patients die alone in a hospital bed without a family member to hold hands with. Think about that before you go out.” Whew! And this article is about being playful? You bet it is. Our bodies are quarantined, not our minds. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Playing Through COVID19? Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Right now, Congress should focus on getting help to people who need it amid this coronavirus pandemic, but later on it should investigate why the United States was slow to respond to the threat of coronavirus and why necessary medical equipment was in such short supply, Congresswoman Susan Davis, D-San Diego, said Tuesday during a telephonic town hall meeting. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Susan Davis collects constituents’ coronavirus questions Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & EducationLaurie Baron, PhD, provides a roundup of serious and comedic treatments of Passover that can be watched on home television sets.
Streaming Passover fare for home viewing Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Theatre, Film & BroadcastIt is with surprise, one of Israel’s leading Modern Orthodox Rabbis, Kenneth Brander, who is the dean of the Israeli Ohr Torah Stone network of institutions, came out with an unexpected ruling: bodies infected by the coronavirus ought to be cremated in order to save the life of the living. One such person in Buenos Aires was cremated despite protests from his community. This ruling applies only when the government demands that cremations take place for the health of the public. In places like Italy or Britain, the governments there have made an exception to the faith communities. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Cremation, Judaism, and the coronavirus Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Coronavirus pandemic permitting, the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies plans to hold its 40th international conference at the Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel and Marina from August 9-14 with 110 speakers delivering some 250 presentations “on just about every aspect of Jewish genealogy,” according to Sandra Golden, the association’s publicity chair. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Genealogists plan August gathering in San Diego Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Joe Gandelman, San Diego County
The Islamic Republic of Iran is fighting the coronavirus (a.k.a. Wuhan virus) with its usual obfuscation, lies, denials, and accusations. Calling the virus a concerted effort by the U.S. and Israel to infect Iran, the government has demanded an end to Western sanctions – and money, lots of money — because, it says, American sanctions are preventing medical supplies from entering the country.
The first claim is nonsense and the second claim is nonsense. [Shoshana Bryen]
Sanctions in a time of pandemic Read More »
International, Middle East, Shoshana Bryen, USAAlthough the stock market has rallied in the past week, the companies whose initial public offerings have been doing well may not portend a rosy future. These successful startups and their advertising campaigns demonstrate that investors are banking on bad news. [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Is there anything more contagious than…laughter? Some believe COVID19 is far more communicable, though when it comes to transmitting something healthy, laughter’s got it beat. It’s been said, though admittedly some question the accuracy of this number, that toddlers laugh more than 300-400 times a day, while the average adult manages about 20 chuckles each day. What’s happened to our sense of humor? Has the anger industry, the “if it bleeds it leads” instant cycle media, been stirring the worst news and views, shattering our joy? Listening to the “coronacopia” of negativity can wear on us all. And it does. So, you may ask, what’s there to smile about now? Why smile when the world is ending? Remember, folks, only the end of the world is the end of the world. And there are plenty of good reasons to smile, to find humor, to laugh…like your health. [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]
Happiness and health during COVID19 Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael MantellAt a time when the world ought to be banding together for the common good, there is another segment of the human population that is contemplating new ways of weaponizing the coronavirus. In Gaza, Hamas came up with a new way harming Israelis. By raining missiles on Israel from Gaza, they are well-aware that Israelis will crowd themselves into bomb-shelters, an environment that would make it very easy to spread the pandemic among Israelis. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Weaponizing the coronavirus Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East