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

‘From Within the Tent’ is a book for those wanting intense Jewish study

From Within the Tent: The Haftarot by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman and Stuart W. Halpern, Editors; Yeshiva University Press, New York; ISBN 978-161-329-0316 ©2011, $29.95, p. 719 By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California– Ezra and Nehemiah, prophet and governor respectively, introduced the first public reading of the Torah, the Five Books of Moses, in the late […]

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Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion

Heifitz documentary shows his talent and humor, but neglects his love for Israel

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO–The greatest violinist of the 20th century is brought to life in an excellent documentary, G-d’s Fiddler: Jascha Heifetz by Peter Rosen. Heifetz’s biography is outlined through photos, video clips, testimonials by famous violinists Itzhak Perlman, Ivry Gitlis and Ida Haendel, former students Andre Granat, Sherry Kloss and Ayke Agus and two

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Eileen Wingard

In celebration of Jewish leadership, Wolpe examines Moses

  By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Congregation Beth Israel, celebrating its sesquicentennial year, on Thursday evening, Jan. 19, honored some five dozen past and present leaders from its congregation who have built and led the organizations that serve the Jewish community of San Diego.  It treated these leaders and other members of the Reform congregation

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Donald H. Harrison

Critics of ‘Kosher Jesus’ author reminiscent of 17th Century Dutch Jewish community

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel   CHULA VISTA, California — Whenever I read the Lubavitcher website, it seems as if we are reliving history.  The Lubavitcher character assassination of Shmuley Boteach reminds me of how the 17th century Dutch Jewish community treated one of its heretical spirits and his name was Uriel da Costa (1585-1640).

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Author offers ‘how to’ book for raising children Jewishly

Raising Kids to Love Being Jewish by Doron Kornbluth, K’hal Publishing, ISBN 978-1-60204-016-8, 189 pages including notes,  retail price unlisted By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Anyone who is active in the Jewish community will not be surprised by  the suggestions here compiled by Doron Kornbluth, a Jerusalem writer.   They follow mainline thinking that if you

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Donald H. Harrison

Chabad should end its discrimination against Ethiopian Jews

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –As we give pause to the memory of Martin Luther King and his profound ethical message concerning the evils of racial intolerance, it behooves us to ask ourselves: Have we, as a religious community, fully embraced the principles that cost this great man his life? Most American

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Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East

U.S. accommodation with Taliban as short-sighted as its turning blind eye to 1973 murders by P.L.O.

By Shoshana Bryen   WASHINGTON, D.C — The Washington Post ran several articles and columns this week about the emergence of once-secret U.S.-Taliban talks designed to pave the way for an American exit from Afghanistan. Writers have likened them to the talks that preceded our exit from Vietnam. Maybe, but there is another cautionary tale

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International, Shoshana Bryen

Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist an example of narrowing the target

By Shoshana Bryen WASHINGTON, D.C. — A few years ago, a group of senior American military professionals were in discussion with high-level IDF commanders on what the Israelis called “extremely narrowly focused attacks.”  In the beginning, they tiptoed around blunt language – “targeted killing” or “assassination” – but the bottom line emerged.  Israel faced an

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Shoshana Bryen

In defense of unkosher animal toys

By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–The other day, I came across an interesting story, worthy of a Sherlock Holmes tale. Some time ago in 2011, Lubavitcher women sponsored a special collection for Shaarei Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem. Deena Yellin writes, “The herd of brightly-colored stuffed animals filled our front porch with all the panache of

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi