Determinism or Free Will by Chapman Cohen; Literary Licensing LLC, Whitefish, MT; ISBN 978-1-2581-2881-4 ©2012 reprint of a book published in 1919, $25.95, p. 127 Free Will by Sam Harris; Free Press, New York ISBN 978-1-4516-8347-0 ©2012, $9.99, p. 81, including notes and index By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California–Judaism provides no help in settling
So do we have free will or don’t we? Read More »
Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
By Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb NEW YORK–Except for the saints among us, we all boast. Sometimes we boast about our own natural endowments, our good looks, or our athletic prowess. Often we boast about our achievements, social or professional. There is one type of boasting that seems to be unique to the traditional Jewish community.
Whose example do you follow? Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Isaac Yetiv , Ph. D. LA JOLLA, California — In June 2012 , the U.S. Supreme Court voted five to four to uphold the Obama Healthcare law , declaring it “constitutional.” It found that the “penalty” for not buying insurance ( which would have made the law “unconstitutional” ) is, in reality, a “tax” (which makes
Obama care decision hands Republicans major campaign issue Read More »
USA
By Rabbi Michael Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –Since our ancestors have not always treated one another respectfully or tolerantly, I thought I would focus on a sensible theme for this time of the year. Our lesson begins with a passage from the Talmud: Tolerance begins with respecting our neighbor. The Talmud relates the following story: “A
Shammai vs. Hillel all over again Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
By Carol Davis CORONADO, California—If you are in the mood for some good old-fashioned fun, the Coronado Playhouse is mounting the riotous George Kaufman/Moss Hart comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner. It’s one of those classic oldies (1939) but goodies that, for some reason don’t get produced very often. Thanks to director Ruff
‘Man Who Came to Dinner’ is delicious fun Read More »
Carol Davis, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Rabbi Baruch Lederman SAN DIEGO — Bilaam possessed powers not only equaling but exceeding Moshe. We learn from Bilaam’s sad story that it is not about the gifts you possess, but how you use them, or in some cases, how you don’t use them as the following true stories illustrate: Rabbi Avrohom Ginzburg ztl,
Weighing the greater good Read More »
Travel and Food
By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO–Jonathan Edzant, 18, a recent graduate of Canyon Crest Academy, won a $1,000 award and, perhaps more importantly for his future stage career, had the opportunity over three rounds of judging to demonstrate his capabilities as a singer to regional theatre decision-makers. Edzant will enter UC Irvine’s theatre arts program
Edzant on the rise as a musical theatre talent Read More »
Donald H. HarrisonBy Ira Sharkansky JERUSALEM — Lots of politics, brought about by the high intensity squabbles over what to do about the ultra-Orthodox (Haredim), and to some extent the Arabs. Animosity toward the Haredim and a somewhat different concern about Arabs is always present, along with whatever else is happening. Feelings about the Haredim peaked some
Compulsory service for Arabs, haredi continues to simmer Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle EastBy Zachary Fisher WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to a report released Wednesday by Human Rights Watch, Jordan recently turned away Syrians of Palestinian heritage seeking refuge in the Hashemite Kingdom, while threatening to deport Syrian Palestinians who arrived within the past year. Meanwhile, Jordan has laudably admitted 140,000 Syrian refugees into its country and given
Jordan bars Syrian refugees of Palestinian descent Read More »
Middle East
By Joel A Moskowitz M D DEL MAR, California –The recently ended San Diego County Fair brought to the ponderings of the famed Jewish writer, Isaac Bashevis Singer: “I believe there is such a thing as haunted houses and reincarnation and I don’t think there will ever or could be scientific evidence of it. For
Oh, those scary county fairs! Read More »
San Diego County, Travel and Food
By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO– There’s been a dearth of Jewish films this summer. I had been hoping to review something that’s currently in release at movie theatres, but I’ve had no luck. I saw The Avengers on the chance that Ben Grimm, the Jewish alter ego of the Thing, would make a cameo appearance, but
The Wandering Review: Jews of the summer blockbusters Read More »
Lawrence Baron
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel –It was only after our father died, almost ten years ago, that my sisters and I could begin to tackle the daunting task of going through all the books, papers, and sundry objects that he and our mother had managed to accumulate in their roughly 20 years of life in
Collating my mother’s recipes Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson
By Donald H. Harrison POWAY, California — So well-situated is Congregation Ner Tamid for Fourth of July fireworks, the Conservative congregation can depend on attracting a big crowd to its hilltop location. Which means of course that congregants not only can enjoy barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers (kosher of course!) but also can conduct
Ner Tamid Synagogue celebrates the Fourth Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Calendar
By Cynthia Citron BURBANK, California — Whose God is it, anyway? In Evan Smith’s sparkling new play The Savannah Disputation, the question is anything but moot. Especially not to Melissa (Rebecca Mozo), a permanently perky proselytizer from one of those religions that consider it their mission to show everyone the error of their ways. Melissa
‘The Savannah Disputation’ a religious comedy Read More »
Cynthia Citron