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 Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California — An English professor of mixed religious background has become a leading proponent of interdisciplinary studies not only at Grossmont College, where he teaches, but throughout San Diego’s higher education community. Tate Hurvitz, whose father is Jewish and mother is Lutheran, grew up in the San […]
Grossmont English professor fuels inter-campus study projects Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Most people would be surprised to hear that the charge of drinking blood was a common accusation made against the nascent Christian religion in the first three centuries of its existence. Yes, this historical fact is true and recorded in the annals of ancient history.
When Christians were commonly the subject of blood libels Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — “What is being done in Homs [Syria] . . . is simply appalling and shouldn’t be allowed to stand in our world,” said British Prime Minister David Cameron in Washington. The British, he said, are cataloguing “these crimes,” and Asad should “always remember that international law has got a long reach
If Syria, Egypt have zero to fear from U.S, why should Iran? Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Transporting and setting up an orchestra at a new venue is an exercise in logistics with surprises not at all uncommon, says David Amos, conductor of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO). However, he says, the payoff is the possibility of building new audiences for classical music. That’s what he’s
Orchestra will travel miles to build audience for classical music Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonNEW YORK (Press Release)–The Jewish Federations of North America is shocked and outraged at Monday’s tragic terror attack on a Jewish school in southern France that has left at least four dead, including three children. Early news indicates that a terrorist on a motorcycle carried out a fatal shooting outside Ozar Hatorah, a Jewish school
Jewish groups react in pain to French school murders Read More »
International, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
Slipping Reality by Emily Beaver, Author House, 2011, ISBN 978-1-4634-2714-6, Price Unlisted. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Not since reading such Stefan Zweig short stories as “The Royal Game” and “Letters from an Unknown Woman,” have I encountered such a thoroughly intriguing examination of the possible effects loneliness can have on the human
‘Slipping Reality’ plumbs effects of loneliness in novel form Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Donald H. Harrison LA MESA, California — For those who try to link Israel to the old apartheid regime of South Africa, artist Atara-Baker, who has lived in both countries, offers an emotional rejoinder, not in her words, but in her art. Yes, the art seems to say, there is a link
Artist combines themes of Israel and southern Africa Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — There is a genre of movie that brings a new teacher to a distressed high school, and through the force of his or her caring, students who formerly were indifferent or even hostile to learning are turned around and propelled into brighter futures. To Sir With Love and
‘Detachment’: a jeremiad against child abuse and neglect Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel SAN DIEGO — At our downtown TBS Jewish business ethics class, we discussed an interesting subject dealing with the problem of suspicion. The beginning of Parshat Pikudei (Vyakhale-Pikudei), Moses presents a complete inventory of all the items that he and the priests collected for the Tabernacle (Exod. 38:21) Moses gives
Mishnah could teach TSA a lesson about dignity Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was to address a mixed U.S.-Afghan audience at Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan only weeks after six American solders were killed by Afghan soldiers, and days after an American soldier allegedly killed 16 Afghan civilians. That circumstance alone would ensure a tense atmosphere, but the decision
Panetta disrespected Marines fighting in Afghanistan Read More »
Shoshana Bryen, USA
Torah Tapestries: Shemos by Shira Smiles, Feldheim Publishers, 2012, Jerusalem, ISBN 978-159826-002-1, Price Unlisted. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Jewish educator Shira Smiles utilizes the various parashot from the Book of Exodus to pass on wonderful lessons for daily living, while teaching some useful Hebrew vocabulary. For example, in analyzing the portion known as Va’eira, she
Manners and reverence taught through Torah study Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Barely eight months have passed since the “Arab Spring” has taken root in Egypt. At the time of his departure from power, President Obama and Hillary Clinton hailed Hosni Mubarak’s eviction from office as one of President Obama’s crowning achievements. Nearly eight months later, the Muslim Brotherhood
Egypt’s Parliament reflects Muslim Brotherhood’s animus against Israel Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — As a youth, Gil Ya’ari, the new Israeli director of the partnership between Sha’ar Hanegev and the San Diego Jewish community, was so fascinated by environmental science that he left his home in the greater Tel Aviv area to board at a high school which offered special classes
Ben-Gurion would smile: new programming planned for San Diego-Sha’ar Hanegev partnership Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — In his classical work on masculine spirituality, Iron John, Robert Bly notes how our contemporary society no longer provides the necessary rituals to help reintegrate warriors after a war. Unlike the ancient societies, which presented a series of complex rituals to help their soldiers make a
Kandahar massacre illustrates how war can tarnish a soul Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi