Jewish Religion

Parsha Yitro: Leadership, Revelation, and Finding Balance

In the shadow of Har Sinai, where the thunderous revelation of Matan Torah is about to unfold, an unexpected teacher emerges, Yitro, a Midianite priest and Moshe Rabbeinu’s father-in-law. Before the epic moment of receiving the Torah we are presented with a powerful twist—a lesson in leadership, humility, and the art of balancing spiritual loftiness with practical wisdom. [Michael R. Mantell,Ph.D]

Parsha Yitro: Leadership, Revelation, and Finding Balance Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Hillel at UC San Diego Takes Pro-Active Steps to Counter Antisemitism

One week after the annual hate-filled apartheid week organized by various student organizations at UC San Diego, pro-Israel students will get to counter-program with “joy” by sponsoring Israel week.  The on-campus celebration will open this May’s observance of Jewish Heritage Month. [Donald H. Harrison]

Hillel at UC San Diego Takes Pro-Active Steps to Counter Antisemitism Read More »

Antisemitism, California, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

What Do the Ten Commandments Really Say?

The Decalogue, which most people mistakenly call “The Ten Commandments,” is contained in the fifth Exodus biblical portion, Yitro, which Moses repeats with many changes in the fifth chapter of Deuteronomy. Some Jewish philosophers, rabbis, and non-Jews disagreed over what exactly the Bible was saying in these statements. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

What Do the Ten Commandments Really Say? Read More »

Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Super Bowl

Since ‍2014, ‍radio ‍host ‍Nachum ‍Segal ‍has ‍presented ‍the ‍“Kosher ‍Halftime ‍Show” ‍as ‍an ‍online ‍alternative ‍for ‍religious ‍Jews ‍to ‍watch ‍while ‍the ‍players ‍are ‍in ‍the ‍locker ‍room ‍for ‍the ‍mid-game ‍break. ‍This ‍year’s ‍Kosher ‍Halftime ‍Show ‍broadcast ‍featured ‍singer/songwriter ‍Eli ‍Begun, ‍composer ‍of ‍such ‍songs ‍as ‍‍In ‍Our ‍Darkest ‍Times ‍and ‍‍Shabbos ‍Hayom. ‍Why ‍does ‍Nachum ‍Segal ‍provide ‍this ‍halftime ‍program ‍for ‍Jewish ‍football ‍fans? [Mark D. Zimmerman]

Jewish Trivia Quiz: Super Bowl Read More »

Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Sports & Competitions, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages for Children and Adults

With Tu B’Shvat coming on Feb. 13, I found these coloring pages from Joanne Fink Judaica to be printed and colored. As the weather seems to be a bit dreary with possible rain, I thought a fun indoor activity would be nice to share with you all. [Cailin Acosta]

Tu B’Shevat Coloring Pages for Children and Adults Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Holocaust, International, Israel, Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Parasha Beshalach: Finding Strength and Healing in Times of Challenge

By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D. EL CAJON, California — In the Torah portion Beshalach which we read this week, a profound verse highlights the relationship between divine guidance and personal well-being. The text presents two nuanced interpretations of Hashem’s role as a healer.  It contains the following verse: “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the

Parasha Beshalach: Finding Strength and Healing in Times of Challenge Read More »

Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Sabbath Queen’ Tells of an Orthodox Rabbi Who Became a Drag Queen

Sabbath Queen shown Sunday night at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival documents the life of Amichai Lau-Lavie, the Rabbi and founding spiritual leader of Lab/Shul in NYC.  The documentary combines archival footage, 21 years of filming and animation to tell the story of Lau-Lavie’s spiritual journey. [Robin Dishman]

‘Sabbath Queen’ Tells of an Orthodox Rabbi Who Became a Drag Queen Read More »

Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Mishnah Anticipated Scientific Understanding of Whispering, Digestion, Combustion

What particularly fascinates me is how the book reveals the Mishnah’s sophisticated understanding of physical and psychological phenomena that we’ve only recently begun to explain through modern scientific frameworks. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

Mishnah Anticipated Scientific Understanding of Whispering, Digestion, Combustion Read More »

Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Taking in the Movies at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival

The San Diego International Jewish Film Festival is being held at the Lawrence Family JCC. I love going to the movies but since having twins, those typical date nights with my husband are not very common anymore. [Cailin Acosta]

Taking in the Movies at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, California, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

Grace Church Pastors Tell Why They Choose to Stand with Us Jews

I began my intervention by stating that I did not choose to be Jewish, that I was born in Santa Barbara, Chihuahua, to Jewish parents, and that I was not asked for my opinion on religion when I was born, nor was I consulted about being circumcised at 8 days old. So, I suppose it was God’s will that determined my religion and, in part, my destiny. This automatically connected me with the audience because, like all religious people, they believe in God’s will, which allowed them to empathize with me. [José Galicot]

Grace Church Pastors Tell Why They Choose to Stand with Us Jews Read More »

International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Jose Galicot, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Rain, Human Kindness Give Hope Amid Wildfires

We all breathed a sigh of relief with the little bit of rain that came in over the weekend to help  extinguish the fires in Los Angeles and around San Diego County. As I checked my alerts on my phone, these fires are still not 100% contained. They are still active. [Cailin Acosta]

Rain, Human Kindness Give Hope Amid Wildfires Read More »

Antisemitism, Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food, Trivia, Humor & Satire