Moses goes on to describe how to help those in need. Every third year, part of a farms harvest is to be left in the field for the poor, so that “the Lord your God may bless you in all” you do. If there is a “needy person among you…open your hand and lend him” enough “for whatever he needs…and…God will bless. You in all your efforts and in all your undertakings.” [Marcia Berneger]
Torah for Children: Helping others Read More »
Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Via Twitter, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday, Aug. 13, that a third Arab country, the United Arab Emirates, has agreed to a formal peace with Israel, following the lead of Egypt and Jordan, which respectively normalized relations with Israel in 1979 and 1994. Trump’s Tweet included a joint statement with Trump from Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates. [Donald H. Harrison]
Israel, UAE sign peace accord, Trump announces Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, USA
Is your glass half empty, half filled, or as mine is, filled with 6 ounces of water? Yes, “the link is what you think,” and this week’s Torah reading underscores this idea with its words, “See, this day I set before you a blessing and a curse…” Couldn’t this pasuk have begun, “This day I set before you blessing and curse…”? Why begin with “See”?[Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Seeing and choosing the righteous path Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael MantellIt’s Hanukkah in August as we take a look at two enjoyable holiday stories. [Marcia Berneger]
Children’s books for early Hanukkah shoppers Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Marcia Berneger
Halpern will become only the second hockey player to be inducted into the Jewish Sports Heritage Association, joining Mike Hartman, who played 58 of his 397 career games with the 1992- 93 Lightning during nine NHL seasons. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also has been so honored. The induction ceremony at Temple Israel of Lawrence on Long Island, New York., was originally planned for April 26, but the Coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the program until 2021, at a date to be announced. Among this year’s other inductees are former Boston Red Sox infielder Kevin Youkilis, former NBA Commissioner David Stern, author Mitch Albom, boxing analyst Al Bernstein, and the late Ed Sabol and his son, Steve, co-founders of NFL Films. [Bruce F. Lowitt]
NHL’s Halpern a Jewish sports honoree Read More »
Bruce F. Lowitt, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Sports & Competitions, USA
Trump played magician on Saturday when he announced a series of unilateral steps that is all flash and no substance. At first glance, he told America that the public will continue to receive unemployment checks and continue a moratorium on evictions. Reporters swiftly exposed the fine print. Trump said people will receive $400 weekly instead of the $600 they were receiving until July 31. But then each state must contribute $100 of that money, which means that the feds would offer $300. Nor would the provisions guarantee the eviction moratorium. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Playing election politics with the coronavirus Read More »
Bruce Ticker, USAUniversity High School junior Zachary Patterson and Grauer School senior Jason Wexler are co-recipients of the 2020 Peter Chortek Leadership Award created as a memorial to Chortek by his family. [Our Shtetl San Diego County by Donald H. Harrison]
Education, cancer battling win Chortek Awards for students Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Travel and Food
“She was extraordinarily nasty to Kavanaugh, Judge Kavanaugh, now Justice Kavanaugh. She was nasty to a level that was just a horrible thing the way she was.” Donald Trump (Otherwise known as Derogatory Donald) on Kamala Harris. (Laurie Baron, Ph.D)
The irony of Trump calling Harris ‘nasty’ Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
On Tuesday night, Aug. 11, I was dancing at my son’s beautiful wedding. We held the festivities outdoors at the Gush Etzion winery to comply with the Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions that are currently in place in Israel. The guest list was limited to very close friends and family. As I am not only a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician but also a first responder for United Hatzalah, I had my medical kit with me in the trunk of my car as is my usual practice. [David Kupferberg, M.D]
Former La Jollan saves a life at son’s wedding Read More »
Lifestyles, Middle East, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Back in June 2016, when California’s then Attorney General Kamala Harris was successfully campaigning for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate to succeed the retiring Barbara Boxer, I asked her at the United Domestic Workers Union Hall in San Diego about the ongoing Israel-Palestinian dispute. [Donald H. Harrison]
Jews cheer, jeer Kamala Harris as Biden’s VP nominee Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Now, because of the Coronavirus, Zooming distance learning education is mandatory. My son teaches reading in the Berkeley school system, a few minutes from his home. Erika, his spouse, teaches first grade in Oakland. All summer they speculated about how school would reopen. Would they teach “live” or online? [Oliver B. Pollak]
Schooling during the COVID-19 era Read More »
Oliver Pollak, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAWe reported on Monday that Hillel International had announced a new nationwide initiative to combat antisemitism. Today, we’ve learned that StandWithUs, which has an active chapter in San Diego, has launched a new division called “Rabbis United.” (Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison)
StandWithUs launches ‘Rabbis United’ Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education, USA
People are worried about jobs, rallies, protests and yes riots. The real question now is it more important to open up the world than to live.? Is it worth partying on the beach, drinking alcohol in mass at a bar or living for a future time? Young people are dying and many are killing their parents by bringing the virus in their homes. Wake up. It is your life. Do not take it for granted. And this advice applies to those considering High Holy Day services as well. [Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg]
High Holy Day worship during the pandemic Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, USA
I read an article by a professor who wanted to show that science and religion are similar. I think that the support he offers for his view is simplistic and, worse, it is wrong. The professor argued that both science and religion have the same outlook and are therefore alike. Both, he wrote, marvel at the universe and enjoy what they see. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Science and religion are quite different Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Science, Medicine, & Education