The Israeli Family

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on August 20, 2012

Early Retirement in Hawaii

By Lisa Niver Rajna
Published on April 26, 2012

Become an Inspiration Addict

Published on April 5, 2012

Dr. David Leo Lieber z"l: To know him was a privilege

Published on December 25, 2008

Authors explain Jewish influences on their works

By Anita K. Kantrowitz
Published on November 8, 2007

The Jewish Journal invited writers who will be featured at Sunday's Festival of Books to answer the simple, essential question that every Jewish writer is often asked: "What Jewish sources -- ideas, writings, traditions -- inspire you, and how do they show up in your work?" The following show that there is no easy answer to what defines a Jewish author, but there is no question that there's much to draw upon within the faith.

Semper Fiber

By Judy Gruen
Published on January 18, 2007

Too-frequent weigh-ins can sabotage any diet efforts, because a woman's weight is a mysterious, jumpy, undependable thing that does not follow any known laws of nature. Over-weighing would lead to stress. Stress would slow down my metabolism, which was already prone to sleeping in late.

Rabbi Heschel at 100—still the voice of God

By Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater
Published on January 11, 2007

This past week was Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel's yahrzeit, which falls during Parshat Shemot, the beginning of slavery and our fight against Pharaoh, which is also when we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. How appropriate!

Fran Rosenfield: All About the Children

By Adam Wills
Published on December 28, 2006

Rosenfield started out collecting donations for one caseworker from the Department of Children and Family Service, and found she was so successful at motivating people to give that she adopted another caseworker a year later. Before long the former personnel manager had adopted the entire North Hollywood office.

Six self-help books seek to help you get sealed in the Book of Life

By Sandee Brawarsky
Published on September 21, 2006

Self-help books are essential tools.

Skateboard Creator Builds Business on Performance

By Amy Klein
Published on August 31, 2006

Skateboarding runs in the Tashman family, although not on the paternal side. His mother, who also grew up religious, skateboarded when she was a kid. She was sponsored by a local Velcro company. "She took her old roller skates and nailed them to a two-by-four for her first skateboards," Tashman said. Since he was 3 years old, "she would attach me to my skateboard and pull me down hills and our neighbor's empty swimming pool," he said. "She always wanted me to be a cantor, though."

‘Sex and the City’ Workout

By Julie M. Brown
Published on July 19, 2006

I joined my first gym while in college. My friends and I signed up for a three-month trial together, intending to rid ourselves of the proverbial freshman 10 -- the end result of late-night doughnut runs.

Karen Gilman: What Makes Her Run?

By Amy Klein
Published on January 5, 2006

That volunteer work is vast. She served as the sisterhood president of Temple Israel of Hollywood and currently co-chairs its AIDS lunch project, which distributes food once a month. Gilman is also social action chair for the Western Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, which presents the women's positions on legislative policy.

The Hebrascope: Signs of the Jewdiac

Published on January 5, 2006

Exploring Judaism’s Healing Potential

By Nancy Sokoler Steiner
Published on January 20, 2005

Rabbi Donald Goor, senior rabbi of Temple Judea in the West Valley, has identified a deficiency within the Jewish community: There's not enough emphasis on care of the soul.

"In my rabbinate, I see so many people who walk around wounded. They function very well in life, but they carry pain."

This weekend, Goor and approximately 100 others will explore how Judaism can heal this pain when they meet at the third-annual Partner Gathering, convened by the Kalsman Institute on Judaism and Health. For two days, leaders of the Jewish Healing movement from around the country will discuss how to help those facing illness, loss and other life challenges.

Create Festive Table in a Blue Mood

By Linda Morel
Published on December 2, 2004

Following are pointers on livening up your Chanukah table from "Kosher by Design" by Susie Fishbein (Mesorah, 2003).

Church Honors Gibson ‘Inspiration’

By Ruth E. Gruber
Published on October 7, 2004

Mel Gibson's "muse" is on the path to sainthood. Pope John Paul II this week beatified Anna Katharina Emmerick, a 19th-century German nun whose mystic visions inspired Gibson's gory depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ."

Church Honors Gibson ‘Inspiration’

By Ruth E. Gruber
Published on October 7, 2004

Mel Gibson's "muse" is on the path to sainthood. Pope John Paul II this week beatified Anna Katharina Emmerick, a 19th-century German nun whose mystic visions inspired Gibson's gory depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ."

Teen Called ‘Amiga de Cuba’

By Journal Report
Published on July 1, 2004

Since traveling to Cuba several times with her mother, who organizes relief missions for Cuban Jews through her travel agency, Daniella Gruber has returned home changed by the experience.

Say Cheese, L.A.

By Leora Alhadeff
Published on May 20, 2004

"I wanted to capture the fact that we're not your typical city," said Larry Brownstein, and with that inspiration, he began his photo book of Los Angeles. Filled with vivid images, the book captures all things reminiscent of the city's vibe -- colorful people, bold architecture and, of course, its laid-back energy.

The Giving Ladder

By Wendy Belzberg
Published on March 18, 2004

Even a wizard at niche marketing would tremble before the title of Julie Salamon's most recent book. "Rambam's Ladder," based on an ancient text by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon, sounds like it's bound for the remainder bins even before it hits the Judaica sections.

Taking a Leap

By Carin Davis
Published on February 26, 2004

Leap year fixes a flaw in the calendar and a glitch in our culture. We women constantly complain about our position on the dating food chain. We have to wait for men to ask us out, make the first move and call the next day. Well now we can stop waiting and start dating.

For Love of the Dance

By Naomi Pfefferman
Published on September 11, 2003

If it seems unlikely that a nice Jewish girl would become a flamenco dancer, consider her early role models. Or Nili Azulay's Syrian-born grandmother, Nona, defied her parents to wed the man she loved, then refused to remarry after he died several years later. Azulay's mother, Chaya, became one of Israel's first female barristers; her father died when she was a small child. "The sadness of not having a father was tempered by growing up with these strong, independent women," she said.

News That’s Fit to Paw Print

By Melissa Maroff
Published on August 21, 2003

"The Pet Press is distributed to pet-related venues and many other places, including libraries, car washes and my favorite locations -- Jewish delicatessens from Calabasas to Long Beach ... and all points in between," Lori Golden said.

The Uris Inspiration

By Aviva Kempner
Published on July 10, 2003

I was saddened to hear author Leon Uris died.

B’nai Mitzvah Bond With Israel

By Keren Engelberg
Published on June 12, 2003

Medical oncologist Dr. Daniel Lieber reached a breaking point two years ago. Israel's poor economic state had him so concerned that he began moonlighting as a volunteer for State of Israel Bonds Development Corporation for Israel (DCI), primarily trying to induce doctors to invest their pension money.

True Tales From the Holocaust and After

By Monika Adamczyk-Garbowska
Published on April 24, 2003

Until recently, the word Drohobycz (pronounced "Dro-ho-bit-ch") sounded to most American readers like an exotic Eastern European tongue twister.

Seeking Redemption

By Ed Solomon
Published on April 3, 2003

It was this relationship -- these two boys, total strangers now bound forever by one horrible deed -- that was the initial inspiration for "Levity."

In researching the movie, I spent time with a lot of people who had committed murder when they were kids. I met some through youth groups, others through church and community programs. Some I interviewed extensively, others I just followed around for a while. They were all different ages, yet each had in common that he was trying to come to terms with the consequences of what he'd done. Some (those who believed in God) were trying on a spiritual level, others (those who didn't) on a secular level. For all of them it was a kind of obsession.

Remembering King in an Age of Terrorism

By Rabbi Marc Schneier
Published on January 16, 2003

This weekend we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the life he dedicated to the struggle for civil rights. As we still reel from the savage assault wrought upon our nation on Sept. 11, 2001, and as the people of Israel endure terror on an almost daily basis, the significance of King's life should be recognized anew. Under his leadership, the civil rights movement transcended political, theological and ideological differences. So, too, must our fight against terrorism.

‘Light’ From Darkness

By Rita Berman Frischer
Published on January 2, 2003

The UPS man brought an envelope containing a beautiful ray of hope, an exceptional picture book by Jane Breskin Zalben titled "Let There Be Light: Poems and Prayers for Repairing the World" (Dutton Books, $15.99).

Hero With a Thousand Faces

By Jewish Journal Staff
Published on May 24, 2001

The 60th birthday of Bob Dylan (né Robert Zimmerman) has created a bull market in baby-boomer nostalgia and soul-searching.