While they share Jewish roots with American Jews, there can be cultural differences, different social customs and ways of practicing Judaism. Most Israeli Americans are Conservative or Orthodox, not Reform or Reconstructionist. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah Lesson: Parshat Pekudei Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
Hillel teaches us “Do not separate yourself from the community.” Do we need the Blue Zones or the American College of Lifestyle Medicine to tell us about the importance of unity and connection? Hillel tells us further in Avos 2:5, “Do not trust in yourself until the day of your death.” He is suggesting that since we cannot trust ourselves, our synagogue, our community, is necessary for us to help sustain our spiritual stability. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parasha Pekudei: Be a Part of a Community for Your Health Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
The task force’s initial effort will be to persuade local governments in San Diego County, including the City of San Diego, to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism. [Cailin Acosta]
StandWithUS Establishes Antisemitism Task Force for San Diego County Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share
The ending of the Book of Exodus teaches that true freedom comes when we are neither the puppets of fellow humans or God but live a life where we improve ourselves, be all we can be, and help other people and all that God provided in the universe. (Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin)
Pekudei Teaches That Humans Should Rely on Themselves Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Today, among his rabbinical duties as a rabbi at the Adventure Judaism Congregation, he prepares 20 students a year for B’nai Mitzvah during a course of study that involves 15 outdoor adventures. The curriculum culminates in a ceremony conducted in an outdoor setting selected by the student. [Jim Winnerman]
Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors Read More »
Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USAWe must remember that what hurts you will also eventually hurt me and that we, the collective we, will not survive. Community is where we find God. Our relationship with God is We-Thou, not I-Thou. Kehillah is where we restore our ethics, morals, and virtues. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah, Parsha Vayakhel: Called to Community Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsFreckles, my angora rabbit, enjoys the cilantro, parsley and mint I have planted. I just wonder if the wild critters will enjoy it more since I do notice bite marks and my plants not producing as much. But I am always happy to feed the possums, skunks and wild rabbits that take a nibble and then go on their way. [Cailin Acosta]
An Animal Lover’s Joy in Gardening Read More »
Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire
While many families have their go-to Passover favorites (tradition, tradition!), keeping meals fresh and exciting—especially for young children—can be a challenge. [Press Release]
PJ Library Offers Kid-Friendly Recipes for Passover Read More »
Jewish Religion, Press Release, Travel and FoodWhat is the value of knowledge that is not transmitted and shared with others? If we look at this week’s parsha, Vayakhel, and follow the path of Betzalel, my father’s name zt’l, we may find an answer to that question. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]
Parsha Vayakhel–Parah: Are you sharing your knowledge? Read More »
Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors
Professor Lawrence (Laurie) Baron has been its President for every one of those 30 years. As he puts it, “The WJSA doesn’t have term limits, only life sentences.” If put to a vote, conference participants would have rejected Laurie’s contention that, “No one over 77 should be president of anything.” [Alan Levenson]
Western Jewish Studies Association Honors Laurie Baron Read More »
International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lawrence Baron, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAI dread the chometz cleaning but with the Spring season almost here and longer days of sunlight, it makes it less stressful. Not only getting chometz put away but also going through drawers and making everyone throw out socks with holes and shirts with stains. [Cailin Acosta]
Purim Ends; Passover Now in Sight Read More »
Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food
Rabbi Wayne Dosick, 77, was eulogized by a succession of fellow clergy members Tuesday, March 18, in the chapel of Congregation Beth Israel and in the chat room of an overwhelmed Zoom cast hosted by Am Israel Mortuary that drew 839 remote users. [Donald H. Harrison]
1,000+ Attend Funeral Rites for Rabbi Wayne Dosick Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish Religion, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsSadducees insisted that the Sabbath home must not have a fire burning on the Sabbath. It must be dark, sometimes even cold and gloomy. Pharisees interpreted the verse to restrict igniting a new fire on the Sabbath, and contrary to the Sadducees, they saw the Sabbath as a day of light, warmth, and joy. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]
Religious Disputes Through Time Destroyed Nations Read More »
Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors
In 1819 the Society for the Culture and Science of the Jews was organized in Berlin, whose president from 1821-1824 was the lawyer Dr. Eduard Gans. The Society published the journal Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft des Judenthums (Journal of the Science of Judaism), in which the purpose of the union was formulated as “the dissemination among the Jews of European education and scientific knowledge of Judaism in order to prepare in this way a painless transition from the Middle Ages to modernity, especially in order to avoid mass conversions to Christianity.” [Alex Gordon]
Jewish Biography: Eduard Gans, Judaism’s Defender Then Defector Read More »
Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, International, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors