How can we feel a part of something larger than ourselves and have a positive, beneficial impact on the well-being of others? How can we express our strengths and fervently pursue our emotional appetites? How can we create a sense of belonging and avoid stagnating, to move forward toward consequential purposes? [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Purpose, courage and COVID-19 Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
In HBO’s recent adaptation of the Philip Roth novel The Plot Against America, American Jews are coerced by President Charles Lindbergh to move to rural parts of the country so they will become “Americanized” and shed their Jewish ways. In real life, however, it was President Franklin D. Roosevelt who wanted to do just that. [Rafael Medoff, Ph.D]
FDR not as portrayed in ‘Plot Against America’ Read More »
Jewish History, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA
There is only one way to break this cycle: Return to the negotiating table. It is far more up to the Palestinians than Israel. If they are serious about seeking an independent state. [Bruce S. Ticker]
Roadblocks to Israeli-Palestinian peace Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Middle East, USA“Change your story, change your power,” according to positive psychology author Michelle Gielan who wrote Broadcasting Happiness. Sort of reminds me of my most recent book, The Link is What You Think. We change our lives, for the good or not, in the direction of our self-talk, our story. Our families, our companies, our neighbors, all benefit, or are harmed, by the stories we tell ourselves about the circumstances of our lives. We are all story tellers, to ourselves and to each other, and with that comes a great deal of accountability and answerability. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Your COVID-19 Story Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Six doctors and two nurses participated in a coronavirus Zoom forum moderated on Wednesday night for Tifereth Israel Synagogue members by the Conservative congregation’s program director Beth Klareich. Speaking from the perspective of being both a recovered coronavirus patient and a physician was Dr. Seth Krosner, an emergency and trauma surgeon at Scripps Mercy Hospital. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Coronavirus from the medical profession’s viewpoints Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education
Chag Sameach! Happy Holiday! This week’s Lag BaOmer was a day on fire. This is historically the day to signal triumph over oppression, and to drive away a deadly plague. A Lag BaOmer Kumzits, a Yiddish loanword, is a traditional musical gathering, usually by a campfire, meaning come (kum) sit (zit). So come sit, and enjoy Moshav Band’s Lag BaOmer Facebook watch party: [Omer Zalmanowitz]
Music review: Moshav Kumzits: The Light of Rabbi Shimon Read More »
Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
Dr. Irv Jacobs scours the Internet to find parallels and contrasts between biblical ideas and those of the pagan world on such subjects as leaving land fallow every seven years, duties of slaveholders to their slaves, and the concept of divine rewards and punishment.
Ancient ideas: agriculture, slavery, divine punishment Read More »
Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion
Israelis and Palestinians remain intensely distrustful of one another and blame the other for the lingering impasse. They now face a fateful crossroad and must reassess their positions. Israel must accept that the Palestinians are not a perpetual mortal enemy and that an agreement can be reached which guarantees its national security. The Palestinians must abandon some of their old and tired demands, which have proven to be fatal to all previous peace negotiations. [Alon Ben-Meir, Ph.D]
Israelis, Palestinians must abandon long-held positions Read More »
Alon Ben-Meir, Middle East
Prof. Laurie Baron, Ph.D., rounds up streaming Jewish content from a variety of sources for those who wish to deepen their Jewish educations.
Streaming Jewish content this coming week Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, USA
The author of this book takes the reader through the various periods of British – and American – history, describing who conquered whom and when, and the effect this had on the growth and development of the English language. He starts with the Biblical legend of the Tower of Babel and posits the idea that there may indeed once have been a universal language, now lost in the mists of time, but paralleling the tale that once upon a time all people could speak the same language and understand one another. [Dorothea Shefer-Vanson]
How the English language evolved Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, International, USA
After more than a year of a temporary Netanyahu administration and three inconclusive general elections – and in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic – a new and allegedly stable government is to be sworn in tonight. It may bring a measure of relief to some of us, but it will bring joy to very few other than the prime minister and his coterie. Critics have many cogent arguments against the arrangement; I am among those who still hope that they are at least partly wrong. Even without the social and economic mayhem caused by the pandemic, Israel needed stability. It needs it much more so now. It is inconceivable that it could endure yet another general election in the foreseeable future. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
The new government of Israel, God help us Read More »
Middle East
Editor’s Note: Parsha Behar (Leviticus 25:1-26:2) will be read in synagogues around the world on Saturday, May 16. Poet Jeremy Friedman notes its special significance in this time of the coronavirus pandemic. By Jeremy Friedman Parsha Behar tells of the Sabbatical year – the Shmita, when work ceases for people and beasts Not something we
The Rest of Ourselves Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion
Jewish and pro-Israel organizations responded favorably to the passage in the U.S. Senate of the Never Again Education Act, H.R. 943, which would provide federal funding to help give teachers across the country the necessary resources to teach about the Holocaust in their classrooms. The bill passed the House on January 27 and now goes to the President for his signature. Following are comments from some of the organizations {Compiled from news releases]
Never Again Education Act passage hailed Read More »
International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, USAAs this third book of the Torah, the middle book, comes to an end, we are given nechemta, with a hopeful view of future generations. The parasha tells us, “If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them, I will give you rains in their time, the Land will yield its produce, and the tree of the field will give forth its fruit. Your threshing will last until the vintage…and I will grant peace in the Land…You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you…” (Leviticus, 26:3-7). A lovely thought, a tranquil image, comforting indeed. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Keeping faith amid the turmoil Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell