By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. SAN DIEGO — It’s taken four parshiot to arrive here, winding our way through Terumah, Teztzaveh, Ki Tisa and Vayakhel to Pekudei and the completion of the prototype of our synagogue. As it says, “In the first month of the second year, on the first of the month, the Tabernacle […]
Parashat Pekudei: The Purpose of Our Modern-Day Synagogue Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
“A Jewish Bestiary: Fabulous Creatures from Hebraic Legend & Lore,” by Mark Podwal; The Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, PA, ©2021; ISBN 9780271091730; 70 pages, plus bibliography; $14.86. By Fred Reiss, Ed.D. WINCHESTER, California – Close contact between animals and humans, according to the Hebrew Bible, happened soon after creation: God brought them before
‘Jewish Bestiary’ Unpacks the Actual and Mystical Roles Animals Play in Our Lives Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Fred Reiss, EdD, Jewish Religion
By Mike Wagenheim (JNS) “We should take a picture together.” Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan strolled across the General Assembly floor on Monday morning, making a direct line for his counterpart from Ukraine. Six months earlier, Sergiy Kyslytsya had visited Israel as part of a delegation invited by Erdan. On this morning,
Israel Takes Nuanced Approach to UN Emergency Session on Ukraine Read More »
International, Middle East, USA
A Persian Passover by Etan Basseri (Illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh); Moosic, Pennsylvania: Kalaniot Books, © 2022; ISBN 9781735-087566; 32 pages including glossary; $19.99. SAN DIEGO – The red-cheeked children on the cover of this charming little story are Ezra, who likes to run, and his little sister, Roza, who adores her big brother. Unfortunately, Ezra
Children’s Literature: Pesach in 1950’s Iran Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
A free-floating melody is in the ether; however, no one listens to it. The melody needs a sense of purpose. [Book review by Donald H. Harrison’
Children’s Literature: The Torah Is Like a Melody Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Shana Hazan, former public school teacher, parent of a San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) student, and candidate for the SDUSD Board of Education District B, announced the endorsement of Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. Congresswoman Jacobs, who represents the 53rd Congressional District covering Central and East San Diego, which overlaps with SDUSD
School Board Candidate Shana Hazan Endorsed by Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Read More »
San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Haftorah Reading for PeKudei is I Kings 7:51-8:21 By Irv Jacobs, M.D. LA JOLLA, California — This short passage, essentially all in prose, describes the end of the Temple construction, followed by a procession to bring forth the Ark for placement in the Holy of Holies. This was followed by a dedication statement by Solomon,
Haftorah for March 5, 2022 Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
By Steve Kramer KFAR SABA, Israel — With the war in the Ukraine reaching a critical point, one wonders if Russia’s offensive will lead to an even bigger conflagration, perhaps involving China. If Ukraine falls, will China go after “its territory” of Taiwan, viewing it as easy pickings? The future of the West hangs
The West Is in Dire Need of Backbone Read More »
International, Middle East, Opinion, Steve Kramer, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Bart C. Ehrman is a highly respected historian who was once a protestant clergyman who became an agnostic when he saw what biblical scholars consider the numerous errors, inconsistencies, forgeries, and deceits in the New Testament. He offers readers in Forged a view of the conclusion
‘Forged’ Offers Real Insight on Bible’s Authors Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr.
By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — President Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer on the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has weighed in on many cases over the years which have directly affected the Jewish community, including Greece v. Galloway (which upheld the right of governments to open
Jewish Trivia Quiz: The Supreme Court Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — It’s been a couple of weeks, watching the accumulation of Russian troops around the borders of Ukraine, and hearing wild stories from the Russians about Ukrainian aggression. And now a widespread invasion, aimed at what? And where will it stop? With the capture of Ukraine, or a move into
Watching a War in Ukraine Read More »
International, Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — I assume that most of my readers live in places where they have access to foo clean water, a roof over their heads, and medical help 24/7, as I do. We have no fears that someone might come in the middle of the night to arrest
Four Types of Complainers: Poor Me, Legitimate, Chronic, and Strategic Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
By Eva Trieger CARLSBAD, California — I believe I was in my final years of high school or perhaps even early years of college when I first learned of the Japanese internment camps. What horrified me most of all was one thought, “How could Americans, who had just witnessed the inhumanity of the Nazi Holocaust, treat
‘Desert Rock Garden:’ A Landmark Piece of History With the Full Array of Emotions Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
By Eric George Tauber CINCINNATI, Ohio — Films and series dealing with the Shoah (Holocaust) are streaming on Netflix. My Best Friend Anne Frank (Mijn Beste Vriendin Anne Frank, Dutch w/ subtitles) The Diary of Anne Frank is a well-known story. It has been translated into more than 70 languages and is required reading in
Friendship Tested and True Read More »
Eric George Tauber, Holocaust, International, The Arts