I am who I am thanks to Shabbat. Due to this biblically mandated institution, I have peace of mind, a flourishing community, a great relationship with my family and a career where I traverse the country singing its praises. All this benefit for just taking a day off! The Torah emphasizes Shabbat more than any other ritual because it provides the most profound physical, financial and emotional evidence that one is serious about a relationship with God. [Sam Glaser]
Since Memorial Day marks the beginning of summer and this year the return of audiences to movie theaters, I wanted to preview a few of the films scheduled for release in the coming months. Since they were withheld from release due to Covid-19 or shot during the pandemic, their plots have been altered to reflect the events of the past year: [Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
Satire: Woke Summer Blockbusters Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
Erika Hecht’s mother had herself and Erika converted from Judaism to Catholicism to protect them from discovery by the Nazis or their Hungarian allies, the Arrow Cross. Erika was enrolled in Catholic school, where she learned her catechism, but she remained aware of her Jewish parentage — especially since she remained close to her father and paternal grandmother. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jewish Family’s Anguish after Converting as Catholics during Nazi Era Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History
Fear, “false expectations appearing real,” puts the brakes on a good life. Faith, “fear ain’t in this house” takes the brakes off and promotes a more enjoyable life. This week, Sh’lach reminds us just how powerful and limiting fear can be. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Fear Not, This Week’s Torah Portion Advises Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell
Published by Relaxnews Two ancient sandstone artefacts believed to have been stolen from Thailand during the Vietnam War were unveiled Monday at a Bangkok museum, greeted with a fanfare of traditional dancers and an elaborate worship ceremony. The temple support beams — which were returned Friday — boast exquisite carvings of the Hindu deities Indra
Thai museum unveils 1,000-year-old artefacts returned from US Read More »
USA
Published by Philippine Star Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) – June 1, 2021 – 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — The Israeli Foreign Ministry summoned the Philippines’ ambassador to Tel Aviv to clarify the country’s vote at the United Nations Human Rights Council favoring an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes and actions in the Gaza Strip
Israel foreign ministry summons Philippine envoy over UNHRC vote Read More »
Middle East
Published by Reuters By Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) – Indigenous groups in Canada are calling for a nationwide search for mass graves at residential school sites after the discovery of the remains of 215 children at one former school last week shocked the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that searching for
Indigenous groups call for Canada to identify graves after remains of 215 children found Read More »
International
Published by NJ.com David Lee Bolden didn’t beat around the bush when asked why he wanted to become a Newark firefighter 65 years ago. “I needed the job,” said Bolden, 92, matter-of-factly. “And also, to help the city.” He kept it modest. But on Friday, Bolden and two others were recognized by city officials as
Newark honors city’s first 3 Black firefighters, all veterans, as trailblazers Read More »
USA
The answer to the question, “Is Superman circumcised?” in literature probably would depend on what the custom might have been on Krypton concerning the ceremony we Jews know as brit milah. Such an operation would have been impossible on Earth. If a bullet couldn’t penetrate Superman’s skin; how futile would be the use of a mohel’s lknife? [Donald H. Harrison]
Superman: The Mighty Analog Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County
Learning about one’s identity may be a traumatic and profound event. When we discover that a trusted person, such as a parent, has withheld critical information, that revelation is all the more upsetting and confusing. This is the basis for the JFest play What We Found. [Eva Trieger]
‘What We Found’ Explores Mixed Racial, Religious Heritages Read More »
Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
SAN DIEGO (Family Remembrance) — After a long, busy, and varied life, Aviva Shapira of San Diego passed away on May 19, 2021, succumbing to complications from a fall at home, and from many years of various health problems, including autoimmune disease. She died peacefully, surrounded by her family, sons, and little granddaughters. She was 78. [Family Remembrance]
In Memoriam: Aviva Salomon, 78 Read More »
Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County
Published by The Bangkok Post WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s military was deployed to evacuate hundreds of residents from flood-hit areas of the South Island Monday as heavy rains washed away bridges and cut roads. Rivers burst their banks as a weather system dumped 400 millimetres (15.5 inches) of rain in two days, an amount meteorologists said
New Zealand military called in as hundreds flee floods Read More »
International
Published by Reuters By Makini Brice TULSA, Okla. (Reuters) – Lessie Benningfield Randle, 106, can still remember a house engulfed in flames and the bodies stacked in truckbeds, one hundred years later. “I was quite a little kid but I remember running and the soldiers were coming in,” Randle said in an interview with Reuters
After 100 years remembering, last survivors mark race massacre in Tulsa Read More »
USA
Published by DPA Opposition leader Yair Lapid still sees numerous obstacles on his way towards forming a new government in Israel. “Maybe that’s a good thing because we’ll have to overcome them together,” Lapid said at a meeting of the parliamentary faction of his Yesh Atid (Future) party on Monday, according to a spokesman. “That’s
Netanyahu challenger: Still obstacles to new Israeli government Read More »
Middle East