Judaism

Parasha Pekudei: Be a Part of a Community for Your Health

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

StandWithUS Establishes Antisemitism Task Force for San Diego County

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

Jewish Biography: David Hofstein, an Executed Soviet Poet

Hofstein wrote poetry from the age of nine in Hebrew, later also in Russian and Ukrainian, from 1909 in Yiddish. His first poems and essays were published in 1917 in Yiddish in a Kiev newspaper. Hofstein perceived the October Revolution of the Bolsheviks as the realization of biblical ideals of justice, as the deliverance of Jews from national oppression. [Alex Gordon]

Jewish Biography: David Hofstein, an Executed Soviet Poet Read More »

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

Rabbi Takes Bar and Bat Mitzvahs Outdoors

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, USA

An Animal Lover’s Joy in Gardening

Freckles, 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

Western Jewish Studies Association Honors Laurie Baron

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, USA

Purim Ends; Passover Now in Sight

I 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

1,000+ Attend Funeral Rites for Rabbi Wayne Dosick

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 Contributors

Religious Disputes Through Time Destroyed Nations

Sadducees 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