Since reciting Selihot is done before Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and is a significant, often repeated part of the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services, and these holidays teach essential lessons, Jews should read this book to become knowledgeable about what tradition understands Selihot is designed to accomplish. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
The Importance of Selihot Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
Mindfulness and teshuvah. What else need be the focus at this time of the year, with the beginning of Elul and only several weeks away from Rosh Hashana? This is the “Shabbat of Judges,” in which we learn about the ultimate Judge, before whom we all stand, particularly on the day when the book of our lives opens and our thoughts, our feelings, and our behaviors stand bare. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parashat Shoftim: Mindfulness and Teshuvah Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
While most of the book is a hoot – imagine creative adults on the floor happily expressing their inner children as they experimented with toy prototypes – there are some very serious, reflective chapters as well. In 1976, a mentally unbalanced employee killed two executives at MGA and wounded three other workers before killing himself. The man had a “hit list” and on it was Breslow, who, to take a phone call, had just stepped out of the meeting room where his two colleagues were slain. Breslow discusses the impact of that horrific event on his life. [Donald H. Harrison]
How Those Children’s Toys and Games Come Into Being Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity (AEPi), a leading Jewish college fraternity, has named Michael Waitz (DePaul, 2009) as its Chief Operating Officer. [AEPi News Release]
Michael Waitz Appointed as AEPi COO Read More »
San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
We’re surrounded by a number of uncertainties. Nothing grand seems to be happening, but a number of issues have to be decided, one way or the other. [Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D]
Teacher Strike? Iran Pact? Israel Election? Much Is Uncertain! Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Israel, Middle East, USA
The Wine Company Alessandro Lunardelli was founded in the Pasian di Prato region of Italy (the northeast corner) in 1968, with an annual production of around 100,000 bottles. Why is the Lunardelli Wine vineyards controversial within the Jewish community [Mark D. Zimmerman]
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Italian Wine Read More »
International, Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
to avoid anxiety and depression, I only read the headlines in the newspapers, bypassing the stories. What helps are known health-related behaviors such as exercise, eating right, getting enough sleep, and especially spending time with friends. The latter may be the most important factor in dealing with stress. [nATASHA jOSEFOWITZ, acsw, pH.d]
Coping with the Modern Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
The stand-out actors were Timon and Pumba (played by Tony Freeman and John E Brady), the three hyenas (played by Martina Sykes, Forest VanDyke, and Robbie Swift), and Rafiki the medicine woman baboon (played by Gugwana Dlamini, who also added some powerful African vocals and can be heard on the original movie soundtrack as well). Judging by the audience’s roars at curtain call, there was consensus on these stand-out performances. [Sandi Masori]
Stunning Costumes, Sets Embellish ‘The Lion King’ Read More »
Sandi Masori, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Anyone paying attention knows that Iran negotiates circles around its interlocutors. The Iranians needn’t have much skill to accomplish that! Iran follows the same playbook time after time, lying through its teeth, procrastinating, taking “breaks,” while ceaselessly increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium. Contemptuously, Iran continues to foment terror on its own and via its proxies, especially Hezbollah in Lebanon, insisting that it will destroy the Big and Little Satans (the US and Israel respectively). Yet, the West insists on begging and bribing Iran: “Let’s make a deal.” [Steve Kramer]
Iran’s Coming Windfall Read More »
Israel, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
The prolific San Diego County playwright, Myla Lichtman-Fields, will be traveling to Los Angeles next month, and then to London, England in November to see performances of two of her 16 published plays that have gone global through lulu.com. [Eileen Wingard]
Playwright Myla Lichtman-Fields Scoring in Los Angeles & London Read More »
California, Eileen Wingard, International, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
You keep saying that you are my owner.
And I’m here to bring you joy.
You’re mistaken who’s in charge here
And don’t realize my wagging’s just a ploy. {Elona Baron as translated by Laurie Baron]
These Paws Are Made for Walking Read More »
Jewish Fiction, Lawrence Baron, Lifestyles, Trivia, Humor & Satire
100 Members of the House of Representatives, in addition to 13 Senators, have officially signed on as co-sponsors of Congresswoman Sara Jacobs’ (CA-53) My Body, My Data Act. The landmark, bicameral legislation would create a new national standard to protect personal reproductive and sexual health data. [Rep. Sara Jacobs’ press release]
My Body, My Data Act Gains Support Read More »
Lifestyles, San Diego County, USA
For the first time that I can recall, former President Trump managed to imperil, almost directly, a large bloc of American Jews in far northern Palm Beach County. The synagogue was readying to host a “beach Shabbat” when Donald Trump’s henchmen lashed out at U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart for signing the Department of Justice’s search warrant of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, 16 miles south of the judge’s synagogue. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Mar-a-Lago Raid Backlash Imperils Jewish Congregation Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Jewish History, Opinion, USA
“AMCHA Initiative welcomes the recently published recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Jewish Life at USC and President Carol L. Folt’s commitment to implement these thoughtful recommendations….” {AMCHA Initiative news release]
Thumbs Up for USC’s Latest Move Against Antisemitism Read More »
California, Israel, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA