By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — I understand that Jewish laws are valuable because they help us learn how to behave and improve ourselves and society. “Values in Halakha” is by Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein (1933-2015). He was an eminent rabbinic scholar and teacher who served as one of the heads of […]
What is the Value of Jewish Laws? Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
There is much to read in addition to the shelved books at the Rancho San Diego County Library. From now until next May 21, which will be the one-year anniversary of a Holocaust exhibition curated by Sandra Scheller, visitors can read on standing panels a brief timeline of the Holocaust and the experiences of some victims who suffered through it and later settled in San Diego County. [Donald H. Harrison]
Year-Long Holocaust Exhibition Features Survivors Who Settled in S.D. County Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — For the 219 community members and professionals who traveled to Israel in May on Jewish Federation of San Diego “CommUNITY” trip, the timing of their visit to San Diego’s longtime partner region of Sha’ar HaNegev was unforgettable. Rocket attacks in the area began just hours after the visitors
Federation’s Community-Wide Israel Trip is Filled With Poignant Moments Read More »
Israel, Jacob Kamaras, Middle East, San Diego County
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — Michal and I had a wonderful tour in the beautiful Lower Galilee recently with friends. We had booked a two night stay at a Lake Kinneret (aka Sea of Galilee) Gomeh resort hotel, part of the large Isrotel chain. We will definitely return there, due to the beautiful
On the Trail of the Sanhedrin Read More »
Israel, Steve Kramer, Travel and Food
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — There was a time when an invitation to a wedding or even a party would arrive in the post, artistically embellished, in an envelope with a stamp, plus a smaller card on which to confirm one’s participation in the event, and information about the time, date, and place.
Ceremonies and Celebrations Read More »
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles
By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — “Music of Refugee Composers” is the final program in the three-part Music of the Holocaust series. The recordings from the collection of the Astor Judaica Library will be played in the library at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center on Thursday, June 1, at 2 p.m. Register here:
Music of Refugee Composers to Complete 3-Part Holocaust Series Read More »
Eileen Wingard, Holocaust, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
By Mark D. Zimmerman President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey won reelection yesterday against opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Erdogan has served as prime minister, and then president of Turkey for two decades. He had been seen as a moderate ruler who promoted religious freedoms. But in recent years he has moved to the right, including
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Turkey Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — Memorial Day weekend is a long weekend, and for some, four days long. Parks, buildings, auditoriums, stadiums are named for heroes. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington and commemorative postage stamps remind us of sacrifice. If you went to a cemetery this weekend its likely you will see
Three Memorial Day Weekend Episodes Read More »
Oliver Pollak, Opinion, USA
At the dedication on Sunday, considerable symbolism was found in a Cohen (believed to be descended from the priests of ancient Judaism) to have built an Ark at a synagogue named after “Betzalel,” which in addition to being the name of Rabbi Trestman’s father also was the name of the person identified in the Book of Exodus as the man who built the Ark of the Covenant, with the help of Oholiab. [Donald H. Harrison]
Eagle Scout Builds an Aron Kodesh for Chabad Congregation Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, San Diego County
Here is a Jewish-interest license plate that puzzled Harry Jacobson-Beyer of Louisville, Kentucky, and frankly puzzles us too. A shiva is the seven-day mourning period following the burial of a loved one. If that is what “shiva” on this license plate refers to, then we offer the owner of the car bearing this license plate our condolences. We are used to license plates being more celebratory in nature, but people grieve in their own ways. If on the other hand, the car owner sought to convey some other message, well, he or she is likely to notice now and then some confused Jewish drivers in the rear-view mirror.
It is a playhouse with good yichus. It was started in 1947 by three movie stars – Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire and Mel Ferrer—with the financial backing of movie producer David D. Selznick, who was then best known for his 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Philanthropist Mandell Weiss Gave Famed La Jolla Playhouse Its Home Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
Elkins was one of three presenters at a Tikun Leil Shavuot, a Shavuot night study session at Tifereth Israel Synagogue. The others were Marcia Tatz Wollner, who spoke about book banning and burning through the ages, and Dr. Seth Krosner, M.D., a critical care surgery specialist, who discussed what Jewish texts have to say about decisions concerning end of life and abortions. [Donald H. Harrison]
Of Robots, Banned Books, Dying, and Abortions Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Technology
When an acquaintance suggested that she try yoga, Gadd was skeptical at first. “How can that help me?” she asked. “Just come and see,” counseled the acquaintance. Moving her body in specific ways, according to the directions of her yoga instructor, “led to clarity of thought,” she said. Mindfulness helped her “dissipate the stress, the mental shpilkes, something like giving your dog exercise so it can calm down,” Gadd recalled. She found that she left the yoga sessions feeling better, without need for medications. “Deep breathing and so forth can create physiological changes,” she explained. [Donald H. Harrison]
Popular Instructor Says Judaism and Yoga are Complementary Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Jewish Federation of San Diego on Thursday stated that it “applauds the White House for crafting a broad plan to address rising antisemitism that embraces many of our policy priorities, including funding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program at $360 million, full funding for the Jabra-No Hate Act, and ensuring quality