A Word of Torah: Effective Prayer 101

In this week’s portion the Torah continues the narrative of our righteous Patriarch, Avraham. When we study his devotion to G-d we are truly awestruck by his profound connection and his willingness to do ‘whatever it took’ to fulfill the desires of the Master of the Universe. Avraham became known to all subsequent generations because of the enormous tests that he successfully navigated. Put into modern American terms, “Avraham batted 1,000.” [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]

A Word of Torah: Effective Prayer 101 Read More »

Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi

Bipartisan support for Israel is still alive despite ‘squad’ reelection

Much remains uncertain in Tuesday’s election in the US, but for Israel, one thing is clear: It still has many friends in Congress from both parties.Leaders throughout Israel’s history have turned to Congress for support and for leverage when facing obstacles in promoting Israeli interests via the president. No prime minister has used that strategy

Bipartisan support for Israel is still alive despite ‘squad’ reelection Read More »

Middle East, USA

Editorial: Rabin’s children

Twenty-five years ago this week, on Nov. 4, 1995, a right-wing extremist squeezed the trigger of a Beretta pistol and twice shot Israel’s prime minister, a war general turned practitioner of peace who had signed the 1993 Oslo Accords and Israel’s peace treaty with Jordan in 1994.Yigal Amir’s name lives in infamy. Yitzhak Rabin’s name

Editorial: Rabin’s children Read More »

Middle East

Comparing Torah (Va-Yera) with Ancient Practices

Va-Yera shows Abraham’s hospitality toward strangers, who turn out to be messengers of God. The messengers’ report that Sarah will have a child in a year.  It also includesGod’s plan to destroy Sodom and Gemorrah; Abraham’s plea to save those cities if a small number of righteous persons lived there; the encounter of Lot with Sodomites while he hosted two visitors; the destruction of those cities and Lot’s escape with two virginal daughters; incest between the daughters and Lot; Abraham’s further travels and encounters with King Abimelech of Gerar; Sarah giving birth to Isaac; the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael from the family; the Akedah of Isaac; and lastly more genealogy of Abraham’s kin. [Irv Jacobs, MD]

Comparing Torah (Va-Yera) with Ancient Practices Read More »

International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East

Torah For Children: Choose the right path

This week’s Torah portion (Va-Yera) begins with three men stopping to visit Abraham and Sarah. They might have been messengers of God or even God’s angels, coming to tell Abraham that Sarah would give birth to a son within one year. Because they are old, Sarah laughs at this idea, but the messengers assure them both it will happen. [Marcia Berneger]

Torah For Children: Choose the right path Read More »

Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger

Story of Nazi brutality published during WWII

This is not an easy, light-hearted read. Far from it. It describes in harrowing detail the experiences of George Heisler, who is one of seven men who escaped from a prison camp somewhere in rural Germany. The year is 1935, and anyone suspected of opposing the Nazi regime is liable to be summoned by the Gestapo, arrested and sent to a prison camp. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]

Story of Nazi brutality published during WWII Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International

Speaking out against hate during global Kristallnacht remembrance Nov. 9

Marcia Tatz Wollner, the Western Regional Director of March of the Living, urges people to participate in the worldwide “Let There Be Light” project on the evening of Monday,  Nov 9, through the early morning hours of  Tuesday, Nov. 10.  The project commemorates the 82nd anniversary of Kristallnacht, when the Nazi government ordered the destruction of synagogues and Jewish businesses throughout Germany and Austria. [VIDEO story by Sandi Masori]

Speaking out against hate during global Kristallnacht remembrance Nov. 9 Read More »

International, Jewish History, Marcia Tatz Wollner, San Diego County, Sandi Masori

US election heads to the courts

Democrats and Republicans girded Wednesday for a legal showdown to decide the winner of the tight presidential race between Republican Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.After Trump declared overnight he was ready to go to the US Supreme Court to dispute the counting of votes, his campaign announced a demand for a recount in Wisconsin and lawsuits in Michigan and Pennsylvania, three states which each side needs to win the presidency. [Agence France Presse]

US election heads to the courts Read More »

USA

Pennsylvanians glory in their election role

My head swelled for awhile as Joe Biden, Donald Trump and their surrogates traversed Pennsylvania’s 46,000 square miles imploring us to vote for them. With Election Day past, the nation’s eyes are cast upon a handful of states to add up the remaining mail-in ballots. To think that the fate of the nation – and the world, for that matter – depends on the few, the Pennsylvanians, especially in my corner of the state, Philadelphia. If the former vice president takes Pennsylvania by one vote, and with it the election, I’m taking full credit. Doubtful, of course. [Bruce S. Ticker]

Pennsylvanians glory in their election role Read More »

Bruce Ticker, USA

Adventures in Papua New Guinea

Goroka is in the Highlands. I spent a whole day attending the annual Sing-Sing. It’s a competition where tribes from all over the hills parade, sing, and dance on a vast grass field. In the past, the prizes were pigs, the most valued commodity on the island. In recent years, money was the reward. There was a viewing grand stand, but the tourists were let out onto the field right from the beginning to photograph, pose and dance with the tribal people. There were at least 15 different groups, all dressed in elaborate, and sometimes strange, regalia. They were festooned with bird feathers, native shell jewelry, and necklaces made from animal jaws and beetles. The revelers faces were painted with brilliant primary colors, white mud, or black paint. [Ira Spector]

Adventures in Papua New Guinea Read More »

International, Lifestyles, Travel and Food

Torah teaches peace-keeping is divine

We learn in Vayikra Rabba, “Bar Kappara said: Great is peace, for the Scriptures reported in the Torah a prevarication which was used in order to maintain peace between Abraham and Sarah. This is proved by what is written, ​And Sarah laughed within herself, saying…and my master is old; but [when He repeated this]​ to Abraham, He said: [​Sarah said]: ​And I am old.” Further, “Rabbi Ishmael taught: Great is peace, for even of the Great Name, written though it be in sanctity, did the Holy One, blessed be He, say that it may be blotted out in water, for the purpose of making peace between husband and wife.” [Michael R. Mantell, PhD]

Torah teaches peace-keeping is divine Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell