‘Sacrifice’ in Judaism not transactional; it’s transformational

Whenever I read the Book of Leviticus, I find myself asking: What is the purpose of sacrifices—especially for people living in the 21st century? Leviticus may not have the excitement of Genesis or Exodus, but I do believe there is much we can learn from its lessons and laws. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Mayor Mamdani’s dad participated in a teach-in at an illegal Columbia encampment

The Times article flirts with his negative views of Israel as a Jewish state, but it fell short of quoting some of his more hostile statements that should antagonize any pro-Israel person. {Bruce S. Ticker}

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Antisemitism, Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, Middle East, News Media, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Thoughts at the conclusion of a district convention of Women of Reform Judaism

It started with the Playing Together Project, bringing together African American and American Jewish neighbors over Shabbat dinners to heal communal divides, and evolved into pitching a Jewish Solidarity Tent at the local Juneteenth Freedom Festival in San Diego. These moments were my “Small Alephs”—quiet calls to serve. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, California, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

The Matzo Chronicles: I be bookish

To accompany these stacks of books, I’ve got reading glasses, highlighters, and lately, in a charming, stylish touch, reading lamps that I plop on my head to illuminate the pages. On the rare occasion I lift my head to engage in conversation, I blind my husband from the glare of the light. [Karen Galatz, The Matzo Chronicles]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish History, Karen Galatz, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire

Israel’s Consul General in Los Angeles predicts outcome of Middle East war will be a ‘moderate axis’

In his view, the current fighting is not only about neutralizing threats in the present, but about reshaping the future architecture of the Middle East. [Shor M. Masori]

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Antisemitism, California, Israel, Middle East, San Diego County, Shor M. Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The birthday I wasn’t sure I’d have: What hope taught me

But about a month later, my (former) oncologist sat across from us and told me, very matter-of-factly, that my prognosis was “about a year.” Google is one thing but hearing this from someone who was looking at my scans and labs was another. I remember watching my husband’s entire body slump and his mouth slightly open in disbelief, as if words eluded him. [Shayna Kaufmann]

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Science, Medicine, & Education, Shayna Kaufmann, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Cabaret’ production in Temecula has a startling reveal

We start to get an inkling that things are going to take a dark turn when the angel voiced youth singer Lavinia Kendrick comes out to sing a song.  At the end of the song, she turns her body so the audience sees the previously hidden Nazi armband.  [Sandi Masori]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Opinion, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast