Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi

Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel

Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel is spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California.

His books, available on Amazon, include:

‘Embracing Hope’ Brings Back Viktor Frankl’s Life-Affirming Philosophy

Viktor Frankl, a cheerful and loving doctor, found joy in life’s simple pleasures despite experiencing unimaginable suffering in concentration camps. At 19, the author, Frankl’s grandson, Alexander Vesely-Frank, discovered the extent of his grandfather’s suffering through Man’s Search for Meaning.” [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Holocaust, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Book Review: ‘Revolutionary Optimism’ Must Be Tempered with Reality

In Revolutionary Optimism, Zeitz outlines seven steps that can help individuals change the world for the better. While the specific steps are not explicitly detailed, the book emphasizes cultivating self-compassion, embracing love as a guiding principle, and engaging in meaningful activism. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Left for Dead’ Prompts Rabbi’s Exposition of Jewish Ethics

Eric Jay Dolin is a well-known master storyteller who paints a gripping historical narrative set against the backdrop of the early 19th century. The story not only revolves around an American sealing expedition during the War of 1812 but also delves into the themes of survival, conflict, and moral dilemmas, adding depth and intrigue to the story. [Rabbi Dr. Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Challenges Israel Must Face in Drafting the Haredim

Israel’s Haredi community is warning of a religious war after the Supreme Court ruled that the government must start drafting yeshiva students into the military. Some Haredi have threatened to fight this decision if the Israeli government attempts to draft their students. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Interfaith Yom HaShoah Service Brings Surprise Lutheran Apology

A notable moment during the event was provided by Rev. Karla Halvorson from the Lutheran Church of Chula Vista, who sought forgiveness from the Jewish community for her church’s historical support of the Nazi regime. She emphasized her plea by sharing impactful quotes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister renowned for his staunch opposition to Nazi policies and who paid with his life for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Hitler. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

OpEd: Israel’s Biophilic Society is the Opposite of Gaza’s and Iran’s

In societies that value biophilia, empathy, compassion, and cooperation are emphasized. Social structures and laws are designed to foster a sense of well-being for all members of the community. But necrophilic civilizations are obsessed with death: These societies are characterized by a fascination with destruction, domination, and control. {Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Israel, Lifestyles, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Opinion, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology

When ‘Never Again’ Means ‘Never Again!’

Accountability must start with college administrations and faculty members who tolerate or endorse animus toward Israel, romanticizing malevolent figures. Students involved in violent demonstrations should face immediate expulsion, and administrators and faculty who support such actions should resign. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Antisemitism, Holocaust, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

The Enduring Shadow of War: Herodotus, Celestial Omens, and the Quest for Peace

The story of the Battle of Halys River, while potentially embellished with the passage of time, offers valuable insights into the delicate interplay between war and peace. It highlights the potential for unforeseen events, in this case a celestial phenomenon, to disrupt the course of conflict and create an opening for diplomacy. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Staff and Bylined Contributors, The World We Share, USA

What are the Messages of Purim?

The story, with its depictions of grand feasts and complex administrative structures, resonates with the grandeur of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Yet, elements of legend, such as the exaggerated descriptions of beauty treatments and gallows, interweave history with myth, painting a captivating picture that blurs the lines between reality and folklore. [Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel]

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Israel, Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Aesop’s Fables Through a Jewish Lens

Dr. Samuel, the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Shalom in Chula Vista, California, translates the fables in a very readable manner that captures our interest and curiosity. He highlights the messages in each Tale and includes the parallel teachings in Jewish wisdom, including quotes from a vast collection of Jewish and non-Jewish thinkers, ancient and modern. [Rabbi Dr. Israel Drazin]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Israel Drazin-Rabbi Dr., Jewish Religion, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors