Judaism

‘Kidnapped’ Resurrects 166-Year-Old Controversy Between Jews and the Catholic Church

The name of “Edgardo Mortara” once rocketed around the Jewish and Catholic worlds – the Jews protesting that he was kidnapped by the Catholics, and the Catholics saying that once the boy was secretly baptized by the Mortara family’s maid, it had no choice but to assume parental control. [Donald H. Harrison]

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Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Cheesecake’ Refers to Dessert on Shavuot

As Shavuot is almost here, we eagerly anticipate the receiving of the Torah. Below I mention a few events around our town because making the journey to Mount Sinai is out of many of our budgets and that is a long plane flight. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and Food

German-Czech Future Fund supports Kafka anniversary projects

Published by DPA International To mark the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death, the German-Czech Future Fund is supporting cross-border projects that deal with the life and work of the German-Jewish writer. Interested parties from Germany and the Czech Republic can apply for funding until the end of this month, a spokeswoman said in Prague

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish Fiction, Jewish History, Nordot

San Diego Hebrew Day School Gala Applauds Rabbi Weiser, Welcomes Rabbi Geiger

“Some are born great. Some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” Weiser then turned to the man who will succeed him: “Dear Rabbi Geiger: we are thrusting greatness upon you tonight!” [Donald H. Harrison]

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Antisemitism, Donald H. Harrison, Israel, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Mexico has elected a Jewish woman as president. Claudia Sheinbaum inherits a polarised, violent country looking for hope

Published by The Moderate Voice : Claudia Sheinbaum Will Be Mexico’s Next President by Bart van Leeuwen, PoliticalCartoons.com Luis Gómez Romero, University of Wollongong On October 17, 1953, constitutional reform granted women the right to vote in Mexico, and two years later, women cast ballots for the first time in a federal election. Now, nearly

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International, Jewish History, The Moderate Voice

Jewish Biography: Erich Kurt Mühsam, Murdered Bohemian Poet

In 1908, Mühsam moved to Munich. Augustin Sawhi, a Spanish anarchist, recalls: “Within a few years, he became well known in the artistic world of Munich for his carefree, witty lifestyle. […] Mühsam was considered the leader of Munich’s bohemians.” [Alex Gordon]

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Alex Gordon, Antisemitism, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Grace Aguilar

Courtesy of Wikipedia Grace Aguilar (June 2, 1816 – 16 September 1847) was an English novelist, poet, and writer on Jewish history and religion. Although she had been writing since childhood, much of her work was published posthumously. Among those are her best-known works, the novels Home Influence and A Mother’s Recompense. Aguilar was the eldest child

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Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Parsha Bechukotai: Humanity’s Purpose is to Become Holy

We are taught in this week’s parsha and in others, “to be holy,” that our sole purpose is to become whole and holy, as spiritually refined as possible. We are taught in Bechukotai to dedicate ourselves and be of service to the needs of others. By doing so, we refine and elevate our own inner life, nourish our soul, and bring light to the world around us. We do so by aligning our words and our deeds. We do so by being authentically inclusive and accepting, not simply preaching to others how they are to be. [Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D]

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Jewish Religion, Michael Mantell

Learning from Isaac Leib Peretz’s Masterpiece ‘If Not Higher’

I consider Peretz’s story “If Not Higher” the best of his tales. In it, the Hasidim of the town of Nemirov believe their rabbi is so holy that he ascends to heaven each year during the Penitential Prayers, which are recited in synagogues every Friday morning before the New Year holiday Rosh Hashanah. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Lizzie Black Kander

Courtesy of Wikipedia Elizabeth Black Kander (May 28, 1858 – July 24, 1940) was an American progressive reformer, philanthropist, and author, founder of a settlement house in Milwaukee, where she originated her best-known work, The Settlement Cookbook. Elizabeth Black was born on May 28, 1858, to John and Mary (Perles) Black from Jewish families from England and Bavaria.

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Jewish History, Today's Jewish Birthday, USA, Wikipedia