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 Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California —A congregant shared with me a wonderful story about his little nephew who lived in the State of Illinois. One day, his uncle was trying to teach him some Hebrew blessings. After he taught him the blessings, he went home. A week later, he asked his nephew, […]
Words must be chosen carefully in international affairs Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USA
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA — This month students will have their turn when the final “Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices” evening of the year is presented at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the Astor Judaica Library at the Lawrence Family JCC . The program will feature Becca Meyers from High Tech High School, Lily Greenberg
Adults share original poems; next it’s students’ chance Read More »
Eileen WingardBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — National Public Radio commentators recently discussed a very interesting question: Should President Obama have “apologized” for the accidental burning of the Qur’an? Some argue that the President should have expressed “regret” over the incident, which acknowledges some degree of culpability. Regret does not contain any element
Who’s right in debate over President Obama’s apology? Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — An old former congregant and friend of mine (who happens to be a Cohen) recently lost his father, and he asked me the following question. Is a Jewish Priest’s ritual purity compromised by coming into contact with ashes of a cremated person? Your question could also
How does Judaism treat cremated human remains? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Rasputin and the Jews: A Reversal of History by Delin Colón; ISBN 978-1-4610-2775-1 ©2010, $15.00, p. 110, including bibliography By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California — The controversies over the deeds and exploits of Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin, an illiterate faith healer and prophet from nineteenth century backwater Russia, continue to swirl around his legacy nearly
Was Rasputin actually a friend of the Jews? Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, International
-Third in a Series- By Donald H. Harrison BORREGO SPRINGS, California– Utilizing a converted military troop-carrier-and-cargo truck, California Overland Desert Excursions offers visitors to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park the combination of three off-road adventures in a single trip. The company’s owner, Joe Raffetto, utilizes both of his previous careers–advertising man and biologist–to make the
Exploring a dry lake, slot canyon and Borrego badlands Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Eileen Wingard RANCHO SANTA FE, California — Yes, Israel is a leader in high tech start-ups. But it also continues to produce a plethora of high quality musicians. Proving that point were two concerts last week featuring scholarship recipients of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, one of the institutions which nurtures high quality music education
Israeli musicians enthrall local audiences Read More »
Eileen Wingard
-Second in a Series- By Donald H. Harrison BORREGO SPRINGS, California — Today if one stares at the ridge line of the mountain behind the Palms at Indian Head, one can make out nature’s sculpture of an Indian who evidently was lying on his back and contemplating the bright stars in this desert town’s
The Palms at Indian Head reconstructs its glory days Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California–The German Jewish poet Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) once wrote, “Those who begin by burning books will end by burning people.” Heine’s admonition certainly became a prophetic portent in the days of the Holocaust. However, his words are no less an admonition for the future we are now—once
Leaders of other religions should not tolerate burning of Quran Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
-First in a series- By Donald H. Harrison BORREGO SPRINGS, California –Diana Lindsay’s excellent illustrated book Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist prepared my wife Nancy and me to see the amazing giant sculptures of prehistoric and imaginary animals standing, feeding, nursing, or fighting in vast private stretches of land owned by Dennis Avery, heir to the
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Liam Neeson has always been one of my favorite actors in Hollywood. His films have often been stimulating, entertaining, and often contemplative. His latest film, The Grey, disturbs me for many reasons. It is surprising to see Hollywood produce a movie that portrays
‘The Grey’ is an irresponsible attack on wolves Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Rabbi Michael Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Last Halloween, two atheists decided to poke some adolescent fun at the expense of Catholicism and Islam. One person dressed up as “Zombie Pope” and the other dressed up as “Zombie Mohammed.” Their behavior was outrageous. This is what happened afterwards. A Muslim man named Talaag Elbayomy
Free speech vs. religious sensibility at issue in Pennsylvania case Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, USABy Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO –Israeli-born pianist, Ory Shihor, celebrated performer, pedagogue and administrator, will share his artistry in a program of works by Mozart and Schubert at the Dove Library in Carlsbad on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2:00 p.m. The multi-faceted musician teaches piano in three of the divisions of the famous Colburn School
Israeli pianist Ory Shihor to perform Feb. 26 in Carlsbad Read More »
Eileen WingardBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Somebody recently asked me, “Are Haredim changing the face of Traditional Judaism? Is the divide between the ultra-Orthodox and other denominations (Modern Orthodox, Conservative and Reform) too great to promote a better understanding and respect between each other?” This is a very important question. In the 19th
Gulf widens between Haredim and Modern Orthodox Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi