By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Lag B’Omer will be celebrated this Thursday. The name of the holiday means “the 33rd day of the Omer,” a period which begins on the second day of Passover. Counting the Omer historically references the harvesting of the new barley crop to be brought to the Temple,
Jewish Trivia Quiz: Lag B’Omer Read More »
Mark D. Zimmerman, Trivia, Humor & Satire
By Eva Trieger SAN DIEGO — Ali Viterbi has been on my radar ever since I attended my first performance of Women of Valor at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. Viterbi co-authored that play with Artistic Director Todd Salovey, Leah Salovey, Sarah Price-Keating, and Rebecca Myers. It continues to showcase San Diego’s very own
By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D JERUSALEM — Shireen Abu Akleh was a journalist associated with Al Jazeera, who was shot to death during a confrontation between Palestinian and Israeli forces near Jenin last week. She then became the centerpiece of a media and political obsession involving both communities. Who shot her? And was her death
Shireen Abu Akleh Death Shows Israel’s Marginal Place Amidst Animosity Read More »
Ira Sharkansky, Middle East, Opinion
By Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Amid the varied dissections of Shireen Abu Akleh’s death, the Palestinian Authority was consistent. To paraphrase Israeli diplomat Abba Eban, they did not miss an opportunity to miss the opportunity to sound credible. The authority’s opportunity was to allow Israeli officials to inspect the bullet that killed the veteran
Arab Leaders So Sure — Yet So Secretive – About Cause of Al Jazeera Reporter’s Death Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, Opinion
By Natasha Josefowitz, ACSW, Ph.D. LA JOLLA, California — There is so much acrimony and animosity in the world today. We are living under circumstances in which even typically rational people are pushed over the edge and act out. While it’s easy to see the cultural forces that are eroding civility, this generation is facing
Civility and Respect — Two Words That are No Longer in Use Today Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz, Opinion
Since the team’s induction into Major League Baseball in 1969 until 2021, the Padres counted 11 players and two coaches on its rosters who had at least one Jewish parent. In 2022, Bob Melvin became the team’s first manager with a Jewish parent. [Donald H. Harrison]
Before Melvin, Padres had 11 players, 2 coaches with at least one Jewish parent Read More »
AAA-Writers and photographers, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, California, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Celebrities, Jewish History, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Travel and Food, USA
By Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin BOCA RATON, Florida — Yoatzot Halacha, an organization that is Advisors of the Law, has published this 376-page book Nishmat Ha-Bayit (The Soul of the Home), by Maggid Books, Nishmat, and OU Press. It contains a collection of 63 common questions that Yoatzot Halacha have been asked. The goal
Advice for Religious Jewish Women Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion
By Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — A few years ago an enterprising resident of the suburb where I live, just outside Jerusalem, initiated and organized an association providing social and cultural activities for the growing number of retired persons living here. Since then the association has reached over one thousand members and conducts a
By Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Sir Winston Churchill said, “A nation that forgets its past has no future.” A remarkable story from the Talmud has profound implications for today’s times. It reads: Rava said: A person is obligated to become intoxicated with wine on Purim until one does not know
Talmudic Wisdom for a Troubled Middle East Read More »
Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, USA
By Yaakov Lappin (JNS) The Israel Defense Forces’ investigation into the tragic death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on Wednesday in Jenin is ongoing, and no final determination has yet been made over where the shot came from that struck Akleh. While the identity of the shooter remains a question mark at this
What is Known and Unknown About Death of Al Jazeera Journalist in Jenin Read More »
Middle East
By Linda Bennett SAN DIEGO — On July 31, 2002, when my daughter Marla was 24, she stood on the precipice of her adult life and looked forward to an exciting future. A young American living in Israel, she had recently returned to the homeland of our people, a journey she had dreamed of making
Marla Bennett: The Light That Cannot Be Dimmed Read More »
California, Middle East, Opinion, San Diego County
By Jacob Kamaras L’Chaim Magazine LA JOLLA, California — Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic with renewed energy, Congregation Adat Yeshurun of La Jolla this month will host “Breath of Fresh Aire,” the synagogue’s first in-person gala event since 2019. Long known for its welcoming atmosphere of caring and spiritual growth, one of San Diego’s premier
La Jolla’s Adat Yeshurun Keen on Communal Growth Ahead of ‘Breath of Fresh Aire’ Gala Read More »
Jacob Kamaras, Jewish Religion, San Diego CountyBy Bruce S. Ticker PHILADELPHIA — Perhaps the Taliban decided it would be timely to out-do our Supreme Court. It decreed on Saturday that the women of Afghanistan must cover their entire bodies, at least with a garment known as a hijab. A burqa would be better, but it is not required. The Taliban government’s
The Path Back to Cultural Suppression Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Opinion, USA
SAN DIEGO (Press Release) — Leaders of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County sent the following letter to Pradeep Khosla, Chancellor of the University of California, regarding the increase in antisemitic incidents on campus and an upcoming speaker. May 6, 2022 Chancellor Khosla, In light of the concerns about the alarming increase in antisemitic
Federation to UC Chancellor: ‘Deeply Concerned’ About Rising Antisemitism on Campus Read More »
San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education