I am among those who believe that Benny Gantz and what is left of his Blue and White party have joined the Netanyahu government in the hope of stopping the abuse of democracy. Many Israelis disagree. Some even view Gantz and the fifteen or so Members of Knesset who joined him as potential accomplices. I pray that the critics will be proven wrong. [Rabbi Dow Marmur]
Is Gantz reforming Israeli government from within? Read More »
Middle East
Whether you call it “mysophobia,” “germophobia,” “bacillophobia,” or “bacteriophobia,” pandemic fever has got lots of people just plain scared of contact with dirt, germs, other people, and even their own hands. These particular pathological fears are commonly associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, today in 2020 or at any time, including 2009 when I first began writing about pandemics. It seems if anxiety or depression run in families, people are more likely to experience these unhealthy fears. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
If It’s Not One Pandemic, It’s Another Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell
Streaming movies tell about Israel’s independence in 1948.
Other items in today’s column include: *Jewish community coronavirus news *Yom HaZikaron/ Yom Ha’Atzma’ut *Political bytes *Recommended reading *In memoriam By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO — Jewish community members are celebrating the recovery from cancer of Michael Jeser, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of San Diego County. On April 23, he
San Diegans celebrate Michael Jeser’s cancer recovery Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Lifestyles, Middle East, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Travel and Food
Last week, we observed Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Memorial Day — which corresponds to the start of the famous Warsaw Ghetto uprising. On April 19, 1943, the Jews fought back and attempted to prevent the Nazis from deporting them to the concentration camps. This holiday helped the Jews realize that they cannot passively accept their fate. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
Lessons from the Warsaw Ghetto uprising Read More »
International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
When our environment appears to be dangerous, it makes us feel vulnerable. Feeling unsafe, we tend to retreat into safety; safety is being with others like us. We are more secure within our group, where there is support and agreement. [Natasha Josefowitz, Ph.D., ACSW]
Fear, uncertainty can lead to political intolerance Read More »
Lifestyles, Natasha Josefowitz
This week we read a double portion. The first portion is called Tazria, which means ‘She will cause to grow,’ and the second portion is called Metzora, which means a person afflicted with (the disease) Tza’rat. [Rabbi Yeruchem Eilfort]
A Word of Torah: The diseases of gossip, evil speech Read More »
Jewish Religion, Yeruchem Eilfort-Rabbi
Chabad of Poway will hold an Internet memorial service for the victim of last year’s shooting, Lori Gilbert Kaye, at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 26. At noon, a separate online ceremony sponsored by the Combat Anti-Semitism movement will be conducted via Zoom and Facebook. [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
On-line memorials Sunday for Chabad of Poway victim Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USADebilitating fatigue, jackhammer headaches, hypertension, weight gain, a weakened immune system, gastrointestinal symptoms, vice-like muscle tension, boiling anger, frozen anxiety, “I give up” depression and yes, even impaired sex drive—these are some of the stress-related costs to your wellbeing. Why manage what you can prevent during this time, or any time? [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]
Why manage what you can prevent? Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael MantellVery few people are aware that the President studied medicine at Trump University where his grades were the highest ever recorded. He did so well that he was permitted to skip his internship and residency. He opted not to practice because he had to take over the family business. He has kept up with medicine by watching Dr. Oz and Grey’s Anatomy. Managing the pandemic has thrust him into the role of dispensing prescriptions for curing the coronavirus. [Satire by Laurie Baron, Ph.D]
The Prescriber and Chief Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Trivia, Humor & Satire
My friend and editor of San Diego Jewish World, Don Harrison, and I were having an interesting conversation I would like to share with you. We were talking about the famous Danish King Christian X, who was said to have worn a yellow Star of David together with his people to show solidarity with the Danish Jews. The yellow Star of David helped the Nazis distinguish the Jews from the Gentiles. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]
The noble lie: King Christian X and the Jews Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi
Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) conducted an informal poll of her constituents in the 53rd congressional district to learn how the coronavirus pandemic has affected them. She received 6,799 responses to a questionnaire. Asked if they had been hurt financially by the pandemic, 32.5 percent said “very much so”; 42.2 percent said “somewhat”; and 25.2 percent said “not at all.” Asked if they had received a stimulus payment from the government, 39.7 percent replied “yes”; 28.5 percent said “No, but I’m expecting a payment”; 17.8 percent said “I’m not eligible” and 13.9 percent complained “the IRS website is unable to find my information.” [Our Shtetl San Diego County column by Donald H. Harrison]
Davis polls S.D. constituents on coronavirus aid Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Middle East, San Diego County, USA
Leviticus 12-15 – The text deals with purification procedures after menstruation and childbirth; evaluating and separating out various skin lesions, and stains on objects, to sort the serious from the benign; the purification of a healed leper/leprous lesion; and dealings with venereal discharges, benign or serious. [Irv Jacobs, MD]
Ancient views on menstruation, epidemics STDs Read More »
International, Irv Jacobs, MD, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Science, Medicine, & EducationJust when the stress level of sheltering-at-home is nearing its breaking point, with a 34.1% increase in prescriptions for anxiety medications, now comes even more worry about protecting our health from COVID-19 upon the reopening of public places. [Michael Mantell, Ph.D]
Good, bad, opportunity in every situation Read More »
Lifestyles, Michael Mantell