Kosher Without Sacrifice?

Published on April 4, 2013

The most elaborate, comprehensive and effective system for the prevention of animal cruelty was not invented by the FDA or even PETA; it was devised by the Book of Leviticus. This may seem a strange idea. Without question, it swims rather roughly against that trusty river of intuition. Pigeon slaughter is rarely good for pigeons. Bull offerings are not something cows easily stomach. As far as “becoming a sacrificial lamb,” I have it on good authority that this is not what most sheep dream about when they are kids.

Staying true to our own heritage

By Gina Nahai
Published on June 1, 2011

I once wrote a novel about an Iranian Jewish woman who grows wings and flies away from her husband’s home.

Blessing Management

By Rabbi Debra Orenstein
Published on August 21, 2008

Parshat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) This week's Torah portion describes the bountiful blessings promised to our people by God, if (ekev) we obey the laws of Torah.

Conservative Supreme Court rulings vex Jewish advocacy groups

By Ron Kampeas
Published on July 5, 2007

Not only has the Supreme Court thoroughly abandoned a decades-old tradition of upholding the liberal gains of the 1950s and 1960s, it has become the premier bulwark of conservatism now that Democrats have retaken Congress and the White House is weakened to the point of impotency.

Shul’s Stormy Saga

By Julie G Fax
Published on March 2, 2006

Etz Chaim, for its part, is arguing that the settlement is valid, that it did not violate the settlement and, that, in any case, federal law exempts it from zoning regulations.

Right the Wrongs

By Rabbi Lisa Edwards
Published on August 4, 2005

Last January, I breathed a sigh of relief. The new domestic partnership law went into effect in the state of California, giving senior citizen and same-gender couples a range of state rights nearly equal to the rights given married couples in California.

In so doing, California became second only to Massachusetts in seeking to extend the civil rights of its residents, and many members of the Los Angeles Jewish community, myself included, knew we finally had the legal protections in place that are so critically important to the security of our families.

Red Tape Ties Up Shoah Payments

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 9, 2004

Living in the Radom ghetto in central Poland, Saul Friedman applied for work in 1942, and for the next two years cleaned a building and labored in a peat bog for the German army.

He earned no money, but received something much more valuable extra food rations. When the ghetto was finally liquidated in 1944, he was sent to an Auschwitz satellite camp, then to Mauthausen, and after liberation came to the United States.

Friedman, 85, is one of thousands of other survivors in the United States, Israel and elsewhere, who are now entangled in a bureaucratic hassle over a recent German law meant to benefit a little known class of survivors.

Both Sides of Seal Debate to Fight On

By Idan Ivri
Published on June 24, 2004

It came from Redlands like a fever: one of the most divisive religious battles to hit Los Angeles in years.

But Officer, It’s Yontif!

By Gaby Wenig
Published on September 25, 2003

Worried about getting a parking ticket while you're praying for your soul? Don't fret.

Competing Voices

By Rabbi Elazar Muskin
Published on September 5, 2002

Last Rosh Hashana began with the most terrible noise. Terror, trauma, tragedy and evil triumphant filled the air. In addition, Israel and Jews worldwide were subjected to the vilest outburst of anti-Semitism since the 1940s.