By Moshe Dann JERUSALEM — Although Jews have been retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt at the Pesach Seder for millennia, the Haggadah as we know it was compiled during the Gaonic period (8th-9th century CE) in Babylon, with additional songs written by Jews probably during the Middle Ages. Based on Torah, Mishna […]
Who compiled the Haggadah, and why? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Religion, Middle East‘They Promised Her the Moon’ at the Old Globe in Balboa Park through May 12. By Eric George Tauber SAN DIEGO — Possibly every American has heard the names Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, John Glenn and Chuck Yeager. They were the men with the right stuff: the smarts, courage and ambition to fly fighter jets
Reach for the stars and hit a glass ceiling Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & BroadcastBy Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — As Jews are observing the Passover holiday this coming weekend, recalling a time when our ancestors left Egypt, the land of their oppression, we are witnessing a new kind of Exodus taking place today: Jews are leaving France in record numbers amidst the rising anti-Semitic attacks that have
Sometimes, “It’s Hard to Be a Jew” Read More »
Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Simmy Allen JERUSALEM — The Pesach holiday – which marks the Jewish people’s exodus from enslavement in ancient Egypt – was never more reminiscent in modern times as during the Holocaust. In the Pesach Haggadah, which recounts the miraculous story, Jews are told to proclaim: “This year we are here; next year we will
Pesach during the Holocaust Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion“Cursed be that mortal inter-indebtedness which will not do away with ledgers. I would be free as air; and I’m down in the whole world’s books. I am so rich… and yet I owe for the flesh in the tongue I brag with” (Moby Dick, chapter cviii). By Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — In standard
Are animals inherently our moral equals? Read More »
Sam Ben-Meir, The World We Share, Travel and FoodBy Rabbi Dow Marmur JERUSALEM — Had the leaders of Israel’s political parties with seats in the next Knesset been committed to the good of the country and all its citizens – rather than their own interests and the advancement of their party – they’d recommend to the president a government led by the two
Blue and White coalition with Likud would be best Read More »
Middle EastBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel–Now that the actual elections (though not the coalition-building process) are behind us we can stop and think about what we have all just been through here in Israel, and what awaits us in the near future. Apparently this election campaign was the nastiest in living memory, which isn’t saying
Habit voting aided Netanyahu despite all Read More »
Middle East
The Limits of the World by Jennifer Acker; Delphinium Books © 2019; ISBN 9781883-285777; 300 pages, $25.95. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO – Immigrants from India found themselves distrusted by both sides of the racial divide in colonial Kenya. As far as black Africans were concerned, the brown-skinned Asians were part of the ruling
Book review: ‘The Limits of the World’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Often the greatest critics of religion offer us a series of criticism about the depth of our faith; they confront us with our hypocrisy. They challenge us to reexamine what it means to “believe.” As a young teenager, I remember hiding Raphael Patai’s book, Hebrew Myths in
Book Review: ‘In Good Faith’ Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-RabbiBy Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel SOLANA BEACH, California — All in the Timing is a hit with six clever funny plays, six outstanding actors ,and precise direction by David Ellerstein. If your timing is good I recommend you catch the show before it closes on May 5th. You will laugh your way through the evening,
Six actors, six plays = North Coast Rep hit Read More »
Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel, z"l, Theatre, Film & BroadcastShared support for Israel brings people together By Yonatan Spitz LOS ANGELES — In Israel and even now as a shaliach (Israeli emissary) in the U.S., I’ve often felt that the pro-Israel Jews of the Diaspora receive unfair criticism for supporting the Jewish state. At times, it seems impossible to get through a discussion about
AIPAC fosters Jewish unity Read More »
Middle East, USAA Servant of Two Masters at New Village Arts in Carlsbad, runs through May 5. “One who acquires a servant actually acquires a master for himself.” –Talmud Kiddushin 20a By Eric George Tauber CARLSBAD, California — I give workshops in Commedia dell’Arte, so I was very eager to see The Servant of Two Masters at
A low-brow, laugh- out – loud riot Read More »
Eric George Tauber, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast