Mind-State Solution

By David Suissa
Published on March 25, 2009

I’m not sure, but I think I have a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, or at least another way of looking at it. It hit me the other day after I broke bread at Pat’s Restaurant with some people connected to Americans for Peace Now, a leftist Jewish organization that actively promotes the two-state solution.

No money, no cry

By David Suissa
Published on November 26, 2008

If your organization is having trouble raising funds for a building or a major physical expansion, now might be a good time to consider more creative and less costly ways of fulfilling your mission.

Shame on Rabbis for Obama, hooray for Amy Klein, thanks for Marty Kaplan

Published on October 1, 2008

" . . .The separation of church and state is the foundation for religious freedom in our great country. Shame on you Rabbis for Obama . . ."

Torah Slam: Post-denominational, multi-rabbi Bible salon draws overflow crowd [VIDEO]

By Danielle Berrin
Published on September 25, 2008

The U'netaneh Tokef prayer-poem (who shall live and who shall die) can be seen as ominous or beautiful, depending upon the prism of the interpreter. Rabbi Naomi Levy pointed out that the prayer was written by "one dude" and should not be seen as a divine writ.




Watch the Torah Slam in this video from our friends at the Jewish Television Network

Awakening schmawakening, Darfur’s hope is grass-roots action

Published on August 20, 2008

" . . . It is the grassroots work that will, more likely than not, serve as the impetus for and foundation of whatever action our government takes in response to genocides like the one in Darfur . . ."

Dear Condoleeza Rice:

By David Suissa
Published on August 13, 2008

Last Saturday, on the Jewish Sabbath, I was attending prayer services at one of the big synagogues in Los Angeles, Beth Jacob Congregation, when something unusual happened that made me think of writing you this letter.

Zell it, Sam; Cool it, Orit; 40 million Frenchmen

Published on August 6, 2008

" . . . In Fairfax High School, I had a brilliant and wise instructor of advanced placement European History who used to say: 'Do not put all your faith in one man. For surely he will disappoint you.' And he also said: '40 million Frenchmen can be wrong' . . ."

Yossi and Dror

By David Suissa
Published on July 16, 2008

Suissa on the edge, gay marriage, ice on Mars

Published on July 3, 2008

" . . . If the phylogenetic journey from bug to man is but the beginning of the beginning of consciousness, whither goeth evolution and destiny? Personally, I believe there is intelligent life on Earth, and that some of its beings walk among us. . . . "

Thriving on the edge

By David Suissa
Published on June 26, 2008

Is there any hope for peace in Israel? Are things getting better or worse? Does war and conflict dominate Israeli consciousness? After spending a week in the Holy Land with very little sleep and lots of Turkish coffee, talking to bright people from the left to the right, I can report with absolute certainty that I have no idea.

Gay marriage, Persian tragedy,  Israel @ 60

Published on June 26, 2008

". . . Watching the first legal gay marriage in Los Angeles . . . between two Jewish women, with their rabbi and their Jewish lawyer, fills me with extraordinary pride as a Jew . . ."

Volume 23, Number 17

Published on June 15, 2008

A Persian tragedy

By David Suissa
Published on June 12, 2008

The most important thing I can say to all my Persian friends is that before we are anything, we are all Jews. What binds us together is not just our humanity, but the collective Jewish identity we forged at Sinai some 3,300 years ago.

Paris with a Jewish accent

By David Suissa
Published on May 29, 2008

The Great Shave, the anti-Semitic professor in the U.S. Mail, Barack, Orit, Hillary and Suissa

Published on May 29, 2008

I think you made one faux pas, however. Religious Jews don't allow a razor to come in contact with their face when shaving, which is why Orthodox Jews use only electric shavers instead of razor blades.

A birthday gift

By David Suissa
Published on May 15, 2008

Here we are, Jews in every corner of the world, awash in a frenzy of celebrations for Israel -- all because of a birthday. And not just any birthday, mind you, but one that ends in a zero.

The other refugees

By David Suissa
Published on April 24, 2008

Is there a more loaded word in the Arab-Israeli conflict than "refugee"

Eight days of Chanukah candle lighting - Day 4: Gino

By Jay Firestone
Published on December 7, 2007

Shabbat Shalom and thanks for all the gefilte fish

By JewishJournal.com
Published on September 7, 2007

Reading ‘Jewish’

By David Suissa
Published on January 18, 2007

If you think this column is too religious, wait until you see Jewish Life. If I snorkel into observant Judaism, then it goes deep-sea diving. If this column is "the hood," then Jewish Life is the hood on steroids.

Chasids in the Hood (or Not)

By David Suissa
Published on December 21, 2006

This, for me, is the Chabad genius: a knack on the deed, not the talk. They don't get turned on by grand debates that lead to more grand debates. While the Jewish world agonizes over "profoundly important" issues, Chabad agonizes over getting to Kinko's on time to get their flyers out for their Chanukah event.

frdy nt efis

By David Suissa
Published on December 14, 2006

Rabbi Effie's specialty is dealing with teenagers. On this night, a happy group of teens is buzzing throughout his modest but welcoming home, and they are filling its many "play areas."

Rabbi Pinto’s miracles

By David Suissa
Published on November 30, 2006

Today, one of the great Moroccan sages, Rabbi Chaim Pinto of the city of Mogador, has a living presence right here in our own hood, on Pico Boulevard, just east of Robertson. It's at a little shul called the Pinto Center.

Life in the ‘hood: Gino Tortorella, hairdresser to the Jews

By David Suissa
Published on October 19, 2006

There's no question that Gino's got a thing for Jews. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that for the better part of 40 years, Jewish women have accounted for 90 percent to 95 percent of his hairdressing business.

Live from the ‘hood: we’re gonna party like it’s 5667

By David Suissa
Published on October 12, 2006

I can see going a little nuts on Purim, when we celebrate a seminal victory that saved the Jewish people, but going bananas on a day of Torah?

Simple Minds

By Rob Eshman
Published on January 19, 2006

The Etta Israel Center runs programs to teach Judaism to developmentally challenged children and young adults, as well as group homes for adults (its third home will open in the Valley in June) and a popular summer day camp. It helps Jewish day schools meet the learning needs of all its students, and has trained thousands of teachers in how to help all children learn through its Schools Attuned programs.

No Small Actors, Only Fake Parts

By Tom Tugend
Published on September 29, 2005

"Le Grand Role" has laughter, pathos, in-jokes, heartburn, self-caricature -- in other words, it's a really, really Jewish film, even though the characters insist on speaking French.

An Unorthodox View of Who’s Orthodox

By David Suissa
Published on June 19, 2003

I want to respond to my observant friends who have asked me to answer this question: What can they take from a Jew who doesn't believe the Torah is the word of God and who feels no need or obligation to follow His commandments? What can they take from that "truth"?

Shut Up, I Love You!

By David Suissa
Published on February 13, 2003

A group of Sephardic, Chasidic, Reform, Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, unaffiliated, atheist, right- and left-wing Jews were gathered at a private dinner -- and no one had to call security.