He examines the Torah text from Jewish and non-Jewish sources. He follows the rational view that Maimonides (1138-1204) taught in his introduction to his Guide of the Perplexed: that the truth is the truth no matter its source. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Baseball playoffs in October and the San Diego Padres have awakened the last couple of weeks. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, Padres won the Wild Card Series defeating the Atlanta Braves. [Cailin Acosta]
Post-Season Baseball Features Padres and Dodgers Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
On a warm Sunday afternoon enthusiasts of Tequila and Tacos gathered at the Handlery Hotel for the first of an annual tasting event. General manager and Jewish community member Albert Kreimerman said that they put the event together so they could engage with the community and showcase executive chef Miguel Diaz and some of their vendors. [Sandi Masori]
Handlery Hotel Shows Off Its T&T Knowledge–Tequila & Tacos Read More »
California, International, San Diego County, Sandi Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Themes of economic strife, marital disconnection, split allegiances and xenophobia were certainly prevalent in post-Korean-war America. But couldn’t the same be said of today? [Eva Trieger]
‘A View from the Bridge’ Deals with Immigrant and Marital Concerns Read More »
Eva Trieger, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
There’s something special about growing up in Israel that’s hard to explain to people who didn’t experience it. It’s not just about the food, the language, or the landscape—it’s this quiet understanding that you’re part of the majority. [Shahar Masori]
An Israeli-American Perspective: Being in the Majority vs. the Minority Read More »
Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Tashlich services at Lake Murray in San Diego brought together the Reform congregation of Temple Emanu-El and the Conservative congregation of Tifereth Israel Synagogue for prayers capped by the blowing of shofars and the symbolic casting of sins (in the form of bird seed) into the lake waters. [SDJW]
Tashlich at Lake Murray Read More »
Fred Kropveld, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The City of Lodz, Poland, declared 2023 the Year of Chava Rosenfarb, with displays and readings highlighting the life of the well-known Yiddish writer. Meanwhile, Goldie was translating some of the short stories her mother had written after immigrating to Canada called In the Land of the Postscript, which I was able to review on July 6, 2023. [Donald H. Harrison]
Yiddish Translator Saluted with Canadian Jewish Literary Award Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
To “pursue regional stability” is probably the most worrisome phrase uttered to date by any political leader, namely New York’s U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, in spite of Israel’s astonishing rout of Hezbollah in Lebanon. [Bruce S. Ticker]
‘Regional stability’: The Mirage of the Middle East Read More »
Bruce Ticker, Israel, Jewish History, Opinion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The Toby Press 2024 English translation of Israel’s number one Hebrew bestseller, One Day in October, tells the stories of forty heroes who performed remarkable acts on that bloody Shabbat. The stories are dramatic and inspiring. The heroes usually tell them, but a surviving relative or friend narrates the tale if they were killed during their heroism. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Israeli Book Records October 7, 2023 Actions and Reactions Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Staff and Bylined Contributors
Much to the surprise of the pundits, the Vice-Presidential debate was very civil, with Vance and Walz bent over backwards to agree on many things even when they didn’t. Each strove to appear to be decent. Here are some of the outtakes that didn’t make it into the broadcast of the debate. [Laurie Baron]
Satire: The Decency Debate Read More »
Lawrence Baron, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA
As I write this on Wedneday, Oct, 2, the day on which sunset will usher in Rosh Hashanah, I find myself wondering about what impact the High Holy Day will have on secular affairs. [Donald H. Harrison]
Secular Thoughts on the Approach of Rosh Hashanah Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The two major party candidates for the vice presidency of the United States — Democrat Tim Walz and Republican J.D. Vance — met each other on a CBS stage for their first and thus far only scheduled debate. The first question from reporters Margaret Brennan and Norah O’Donnell demanded to know if they would support Israel launching a preemptive strike on Iran. [Donald H. Harrison]
Rabbi Yael Ridberg, spiritual leader of Congregation Dor Hadash, the lone Reconstructionist congregation in San Diego County, has announced she will retire from the pulpit at the end of June 2025. [Cailin Acosta]
Rabbi Ridberg to Retire from Dor Hadash Pulpit Next June Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Theatre, Film & Broadcast
Seymour remembers the menorah but doesn’t remember the candles. He only knows that what he was supposed to bring started with the letter “C.” So, he stuffs his backpack with a cantaloupe. … carrots … cookies … cashews… cauliflower… and candy in the form of Hanukkah gelt. [Donald H. Harrison]
Squirrel and Chipmunk Decide to Celebrate Hanukkah Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors