By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–One of the great things about living in Israel is how easy it is to really “feel” any upcoming holiday. Just take a walk through the shuk and the stacks of honey jars, piles of perfectly ripe pomegranates and barrels of shiny Golan apples all make it easy to anticipate the […]
Poetry abounds in Jerusalem as Rosh Hashanah approaches Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, Travel and FoodEDISON, New Jersey. (Press Release)–Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg, pulpit rabbi at Congregation Beth El here, is tired of counting swastikas and hearing antisemitic cat calls when he heads home from synagogue. It happened to him again on Friday night August 20th on Route 27, where Jew-baiting by local teens has become trendy over the last year.
Rabbi seeks help from other clergy in stopping hate Read More »
Bernhard H. Rosenberg-Rabbi, Jewish Religion, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Parashat Shoftim contains the obtuse ritual of the eglah arufah (heifer whose neck was broken). If a murder victim is found outside of one or more towns and the slayer is unknown, the residents of the town closest to the victim must take responsibility for their burial. Before doing so
What’s the meaning of the ‘eglah arufah’ ritual? Read More »
Jewish Religion
SAN DIEGO (Press Release)–Nearly 100 elected officials, preservationists and business leaders from both sides of the U.S./Mexico border gathered Wednesday morning on the site of a historic preservation project at the corner of Third and Laurel streets in Park West. The attendees came from nearby businesses as well those in Baja California to support the
Ohr Shalom in last stages of preservation campaign for old Temple Read More »
Jewish History
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM–The Sephardic Educational Center in Jerusalem’s Old City celebrated the completion of a new Torah scroll Wednesday night, July 28, in a lively celebration of Jews from around the world. A scribe dips his quill pen into special ink and puts the finishing touches to a new Torah scroll before
Completion of Torah Scroll in Old City prompts celebration Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USABy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO — The breaking of the glass at the end of a Jewish wedding was originally not greeted by cries of joy but rather with tears. This custom originates from a story in the Talmud. In the middle of sumptuous feast a rabbi stood up and threw an expensive goblet
Commentary: Remembering pain in the midst of joy Read More »
Jewish Religion
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM — I’ve never been in Tel Aviv or Haifa for Tisha B’Av, but my guess is that it probably doesn’t feel too much different than Tisha B’Av in Seattle–a few hardy souls sitting on the floor of their synagogues in the evening and then spending the day itself struggling to
Commentary:Tisha B’Av feels more auspicious in Jerusalem than elsewhere Read More »
Jewish Religion, Middle East, USASAN DIEGO (Press Release)– The grand opening of the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will be commemorated with a free public festival on Saturday, July 10, featuring an open-air night-time circus. The day-long event will begin at 1 p.m. with live entertainment including strolling actors, musicians on stage, and
By Judy Lash Balint JERUSALEM, July 4–Today marks the 34th anniversary of Operation Yonatan, Israel’s dramatic rescue of 103 hostages that took place on July 4, 1976 at Entebbe, Uganda. As a college student in the US, I vividly remember watching events unfold as most of the rest of the nation was focused on the
Remembering Entebbe, 34 years later Read More »
International, Jewish History, Middle EastBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–Balak, the King of Moab, hated the Israelites. He asked Balaam, a well-known prophet and soothsayer, to curse them on his behalf. When Balaam refused, Balak changed his mind by promising him a generous honorarium. Balaam, however, did have one condition: “I can utter only the word that God puts
Is Israel’s separation a curse or blessing? Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO—At gravesite services for Tessie Sonnabaum at the Home of Peace Cemetery on Thursday, June 24 , I couldn’t help but observe that she was known for her big hat, big smile, big laugh…. “And her big heart,” added Leah Fradkin, the rebbetzin of Chabad of Scripps Ranch. How true. Sonnabaum
Tessie Sonnabaum, lady of big hats, smile and heart, laid to rest Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, Jewish History
Marking Humanity: Stories, Poems & Essays by Holocaust Survivors, Toronto, SoulInscriptionsPress.com, 2010, 312 pages, ISBN 978-0-9864770-0-3. By Donald H. Harrison SAN DIEGO –Canadian journalist Shlomit Kriger has brought together the reflections, stories and poems of nearly 50 Holocaust Survivors in an anthology that covers many aspects—and emotions—of the Shoah. Marking Humanity could serve as an excellent
Holocaust anthology provides insight for readers, therapy for writers Read More »
Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish HistoryBy Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal SAN DIEGO–It is not easy to be the leader of a club or organization. Some people like you, others dislike you, and you need to develop a thick skin. No one knew this better than Moses. No matter how hard he tried, the Israelites criticized and judged him and at times,
The making and testing of leaders Read More »
Jewish ReligionBy J. Zel Lurie DELRAY BEACH, Florida–Why does the Israel Navy’s killing civilian protesters on the high seas remind me of the brutal actions of the British Navy in combating the ships of Aliya Bet in 1947? There is no comparison in quantity or quality between the two events but both won the battle and
IDF copies British Navy in winning and and losing Read More »
Jewish History, Middle East