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
On Wings of Eagles: The Secret Operation of the Ethiopian Exodus by Micha Feldmann, Gefen Publishing House, ISB N 978-965-229-569-9, 303 pages, price not listed. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Author Micah Feldmann as the representative of the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) helped many thousands of Jews migrate from Ethiopia to Israel […]
Book provides insider’s view of rescue of Ethiopian Jews Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO (SDJW) –On the air District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, one of two members of the Jewish community running for mayor, plays up her credentials of running a big office. But there’s another, less public campaign, in which Dumanis has been expressing doubt and skepticism about rival candidate Nathan Fletcher’s support
By Donald H. Harrison EL CAJON, California — Had this been Broadway, they’d be extending all the actors’ contracts and passing around the bubbly to celebrate the hit on their hands. In that Lost in Yonkers had quite a successful opening at Grossmont College’s Stagehouse Theatre on Thursday night, May 3, they have reason
College production of ‘Lost in Yonkers’ has professional feel Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –Music has played a vital role in the development of humankind. It can rouse people to action, soothe the troubled breast, and elicit a wide range of emotions. Some people, myself included, are addicted to music (classical, in my case), and cannot bear to be conscious for a single
Forming a close friendship with Music Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Question: My mother is 90 years old, in frail health but of sound mind. Last year, one of her three grandchildren and the youngest of my two sons died in an accident at age 29. My son and my mom were close. As an adult, my son
Should an elderly woman be told of her grandson’s death? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — As a child, I used to love reading the golem stories attributed to Rabbi Judah Lowe, a.k.a., the famous “Maharal of Prague” (1525-1609). Since my father came from Czechoslovakia, I grew up hearing many family tales about the golem. These stories were especially delightful since my
May a golem count towards a minyan? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
SAN DIEGO — To celebrate Israel’s 64th anniversary as an independent state, the Jewish community and its friends held a festival at Ski Beach of Mission Bay, featuring information booths, entertainment, kosher food, and lots of good old fashioned shmoozing. San Diego Jewish World editor Donald H. Harrison, there with his camera, shares some of
Thousands of Israel’s friends party at Mission Bay Read More »
Donald H. Harrison
By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Yoav Talmi, former conductor of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, performed his final concert with the Orchestre Symphonique du Quebec last May, 2011, after a 13-year tenure. He is succeeded by the French conductor, Fabien Gabel. Talmi’s final concert included his own composition, De Profundis, a work in three
Keeping up with Yoav Talmi Read More »
Eileen Wingard
Room 306: The National Story of the Lorraine Motel by Ben Kamin, Michigan State University Press, 2012, ISBN 97801061186-049-8; 186 pages including bibliography, $24.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — As a modern parallel to the ancient Exodus, the march of African-Americans from slavery to freedom has thrilled Rabbi Ben Kamin’s Torah-loving soul. See
Rabbi Kamin tells of Rev. King’s assassination and the aftermath Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Every custom has a remarkable history and story. In dealing with someone who has an unusual seminal discharge, the Torah defines that person as being ritually and ceremonially “impure” and is called a “zab” (cf. Lev. 15:8). Historically, such persons often experienced being shunned by the general
Torah’s lesson, if followed, could have saved many patients Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & EducationBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Horace Mann School of Cherry Hill, NJ, is still living in the dark ages. It is ironic that the original Horace Mann opposed corporal punishment in the classroom. He was an early advocate for teaching moral values in the classroom, and that the character formation was as
If schools won’t take action against bullying, it’s time for lawsuits Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education
The Gilboa Iris by Zahava D. England, Gefen Publishing House, Jerusalem, 2012, ISBN 978-965-229-574-3, 454 pages, Price unlisted. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –A young American girl wearing a dress has an embarrassing moment trying to get down from a tree. Her muscular Israeli boyfriend comes to her aid, and they kiss with enthusiasm
One-dimensional characters detract from Israeli novel Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Haredim and archaeologists in the Holy Land have never been especially fond of each other. Traditionally, they are a little bit like meat and milk. By themselves, each is fine. However, when they get together, they create a combustive chemistry. Whenever an archeological excavation takes place,
Haredim grapple with archaelogy and other sciences Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —In this week’s parsha we read about the death of Aaron’s two sons, who died from an accidental explosion in the Tabernacle. Aaron’s reaction is quite telling–despite the absence of scriptural detail from the narrator. As is often the case with biblical narrative, more is said by
Sometimes God’s seeming indifference shocks us to silence Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi