By Alex Gordon HAIFA, Israel — The struggle for equal rights for Jews began with the writings of the philosopher and educator Moses Mendelssohn. In his book Jerusalem (1783) he described his version of Jewish life: one must be a Jew who observes the commandments and an enlightened German; Jews are a cultural, religious, but […]
Felix Mendelssohn’s Dream Read More »
Alex Gordon, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Opinion
By Jacob Kamaras SAN DIEGO — Rising antisemitism is a natural concern in the Jewish community for a variety of reasons, many of which Elan S. Carr outlined on Monday at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Legacy Luncheon. Yet Carr, who has worked on countering Jew-hatred worldwide from the upper echelon of government, somehow remains an optimist
Although this book claims to be an objective history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it clearly is a pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel narrative. [Donald H. Harrison]
History of Conflict with Israel Tilts Toward the Palestinians Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Israel
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — The weekly portion of Tetzaveh begins and ends in the middle of chapters, showing once again that the rabbinic division of the Torah differs from the division of chapters that originated by Christians. We read about the oil for the Tabernacle lamp maintained by Aaron
Thoughts on the Torah Portion Tetzaveh, Priests, and Superstition Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Published by DPA Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called on Germany to take decisive action to prevent Iran from further developing its nuclear programme, during a visit to Berlin on Tuesday. “This is the moment to take steps. This is the moment to act with the aim of preventing Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon,”
Israeli Minister Demands Action From Berlin on Iran Nuclear Program Read More »
International
By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — Sixty-one years ago, when I became a bar mitzvah, I read this parasha, Tetzaveh, at Temple B’nai Abraham in Newark, N.J., under the watchful eye and heart of Rabbi Joachim Prinz. I recall the rabbi telling me how relevant the parasha was to me, since I enjoyed
Parashat Tetzaveh, Shabbat Zachor: What Ornate Garments Teach Us About Humility Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
This work seems comprehensive, yet it is introductory. It covers five important aspects of Judaism – its history, its teaching, its practices, its calendar, and its lifecycles – and yet no single volume could teach all there is to teach about any one of these aspects, much less all of them. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Knowledge Book Provides Broad Introduction to Judaism Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Jewish Religion
Published by DPA The Israeli army on Monday announced the deployment of a third infantry battalion to the West Bank after two battalions were sent in over the weekend to prevent a further escalation in the recent violence in the disputed territories. A military spokesman said that a battalion from the Givati Brigade was being
Israel Boosts Military Presence in West Bank to Quell Violence Read More »
Israel
By Mark D. Zimmerman Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, a Haredi authority in Israel on legal and ethical practice, died in March 2022 at the age of 94 in Bnei Brak. Among his rabbinic rulings was that it was forbidden to own a smartphone without first receving permission from a halahkic authority, and that the owner could
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky Auction Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Israel seems mired in a context of reform proposals, which would increase the power of politicians over the judiciary. One proposal would increase the power of the government in naming judges; another would provide the ruling party the power to override decisions of the Supreme Court. A third proposal
More Noise Than Action in Israel Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Opinion
“My Own Directions,” by Sheldon Epps; McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers, 2022. ISBN 978-1-1-4766-8858-9; 183 pages. By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — Artistic director, actor, and author, Sheldon Epps, has become a leader in the theater world, renowned for his work on both coasts of America and across the pond in London. Most recently,
‘My Own Directions’ Speaks to the Triumph of Taking a Leap of Faith Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
(Melody: This Train is Bound for Glory) On the First Anniversary of the Russian Invasion By Laurie Baron SAN DIEGO — Ukraine is bound for glory, Ukraine. Winning a war so gory, Ukraine. Ukraine will prove greater. Beat the invader and its dictator. Ukraine is bound for glory, Ukraine. Ukraine has a smaller army, Ukraine.
Ukraine is Bound for Glory (aka I’m Not Rootin’ for Putin) Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — A few nights ago, I was having dinner with Marianne, a close friend. We were reminiscing about our European childhoods and the surprising similarities in our upbringing. Marianne was born in Germany in 1922. I was born four years later in France. We were eating root
Nostalgia: Reminiscing About Similar German and French Childhoods Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
A visit in December 2021 to Weitzman’s office at San Diego Humane Society indicated that Weitzman, himself, may be the biggest dog lover in the family. “Rosie,” a young German Shepherd, and “Betty” an elderly Pit Bull mix, were ensconced on side-by-side sleeping mats located between his desk and a couch. Rosie enthusiastically greets visitors, perhaps believing the real purpose of their visit is to see her. She eventually settles down, taking her place alongside Bett’s mat. Betty looks up and sighs, as if to say, “She’s a puppy, what can you do?” and placidly closes her eyes again. [Donald H. Harrison]
County Humane Society Greatly Expands Under Its Jewish Leader Read More »
California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, San Diego County, The World We Share