The rabbi at the margins must possess every credential the listing demands, and then, on top of that, perform fit. The rabbi at the unmarked center gets to be a fit by default. Everyone else has to earn it on top of the job. You can be twice as qualified and half a candidate. [Rabbi Sandra Lawson]
‘Fit’ bars many Black, Queer rabbis from congregational posts Read More »
Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Harvey Fierstein (June 6, 1952) is an American actor, playwright, and screenwriter, known for his distinctive gravelly voice. He gained notice for his theater work in Torch Song Trilogy, winning both the Tony Award for Best Play and Best Actor in a Play. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Harvey Fierstein Read More »
Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
I persuaded him to write a column for San Diego Jewish World to offer an Israeli-American perspective on the news. As he did so, the writing bug must have bitten him. He poured himself into writing some books for children, and now books for adults are in the works. [Donald H. Harrison]
Introducing Shahar Masori and his children’s books Read More »
animals, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, Sandi Masori, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
It’s as if the Almighty said, “You have a problem with dark skin? How do you like being the whitest person in the desert right now?” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Parsha Beha’alotcha: Love the stranger Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Last week, our Israeli counterparts visited here to understand what it means to be Jewish in America today, and how Jewish organizations are working to ensure that we are safe and that Jewish life thrives in San Diego. [Heidi Gantwerk]
San Diego’s Jewish executives forge bonds with Sha’ar HaNegev counterparts Read More »
Antisemitism, Heidi Gantwerk, Israel, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Originally from Huntington Beach, Isti was graduated from the Hebrew Academy of Orange County. After high school, she spent two years studying at Michlelet Mevaseret Yeushalayim (MMY), a Jerusalem-based seminary program for American young women. What began as a temporary educational experience quickly became something much deeper. [Jacob Kamaras]
Why one Southern California student chose to build her future in Israel Read More »
California, Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Lifestyles, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
The controversial reception to Dad’s Marriage Made in Heaven stemmed primarily from its explicit and frank discussion of sexual intimacy, which many in the Orthodox rabbinate in 1958 considered inappropriate for public consumption. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Love, marriage, and sex as told by my father, a rabbi Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food, USA
Robert Kraft (June 5, 1941) is an American billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and a private equity portfolio. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Robert Kraft Read More »
Business & Finance, Sports & Competitions, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
How did I know? And perhaps most importantly, how could I access that kind of knowing more often? Ambivalence, not certainty, is my default setting. So, this kind of knowing felt unusual and amazing. [Shayna Kaufmann]
A moment of clarity came to me while walking in a labyrinth Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
“…For 15 years, it has been my privilege and my responsibility to lead MAZON in these efforts – work that has allowed me to demonstrate not only how crucial it is for our country to ensure that no one goes hungry, but to show our policymakers just what is possible if we ensure our policies reflect our values. …” (Press Release0
Leibman to step down in 2027 as President and CEO of Mazon Read More »
Press Release, USA
Howard Metzenbaum (June 4, 1917 – March 12, 2008) was an American politician and businessman who served as a United States senator from Ohio in 1974, and again from 1976 to 1995. A member of the Democratic Party, he also served in the Ohio General Assembly from 1943 to 1951. [Wikipedia]
Today’s Jewish birthday: Howard Metzenbaum Read More »
Business & Finance, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia
The Sifrei explains that the flame had to rise independently, teaching that genuine spiritual growth cannot be forced externally; it must awaken from within. The role of a leader, parent, teacher, or friend is not to control another person’s flame, but to help kindle it until it can sustain itself. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.]
Parsha Beha’alotecha: Light one candle for the strength that we need Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
President Clinton hosted a summit at Camp David where Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak offered Arab leader Yasser Arafat a plan for an independent state covering all of Gaza, eastern Jerusalem and 93 percent of the West Bank. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Van Hollen’s OpEd in NYTimes forgets Barak & Clinton offer to Arafat Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The authors created a text that speaks simultaneously to the intellectually curious reader, the seeker of religious inspiration, and the conversion student searching for a reliable and comprehensive guide. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin}
‘Essentials of Judaism’ will please life-long Jews and those studying for conversion Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors