President Obama and the Justice Department have finally come to their senses. Yesterday they announced they would no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court. There are at least two federal cases one in Connecticut and one in New York challenging sections of DOMA and the constitutionality for denying certain benefits and…Read more »
Author: rabbieger
Beck is Out of Control
Glenn Beck is out of control. Besides hurling epithets and calling people he disagrees with Nazis, Beck is denigrating Reform Judaism and Reform Rabbis. Here is the transcript of what he is saying: PAT GRAY (co-host): And now remember, this is all fueled by an organization that Soros funds, that has a bunch of progressive…Read more »
Unlocking the Secrets of Ancient Wisdom!
One of the most asked questions that I get as a rabbi is “What is the Kabbalah and how can I learn more?” The mystical tradition in Judaism is en vogue. And people have serious questions about the esoteric view of our faith. Perhaps they are more curious about it because it was suppressed in…Read more »
On Wisconsin
A blizzard hit Wisconsin. Yes there is weather. But the storm we have been seeing in the capital there is a different kind of blizzard. And it should send a chill down the spine of every American. The Tea Party faithful there and throughout the country and corporate interests that fuel the GOP are…Read more »
The Myth that Thrives
Yesterday was the birthday of Abner Doubleday. Gen Doubleday was a Civil War Hero but he is the mythic founder of baseball. His name often comes up as the creator of the rules of baseball. But this has been proven an absolute falsehood and myth. It was perpetrated because early on some wanted to show…Read more »
PLAY BALL
I resisted all week. But cannot do so any longer! Baseball Season is here!! Hooray! Pitchers and catchers reported this week to Florida and Arizona. And the actual spring training games begin in the coming week. And so we are off! PLAY BALL! The races begin in earnest as our reconfigured teams get…Read more »
A Divine Mulligan
Parshat Ki Tissa Exodus 31:1-34:34 There are not too many times in life one gets a “do over”. Except in golf! On the golf course a do over is called a “mulligan”. No one is exactly sure of how the mulligan got its name. One fabled story describes David Mulligan who had a habit of…Read more »
Julie Silver Sings again!
Once again I am so proud and honored that singer/songwriter and all around amazing Tweeter Julie Silver will help Kol Ami celebrate Shabbat again. (You can follow Julie’s tweets @JulieAnnSilver.) Julie Silver is the pre-eminent Jewish recording artist today. Her music and the settings of the prayers truly lift the soul to the Heavens. Julie…Read more »
Cross Talk
Tonight at the Luxe Hotel on Sunset just off the 405, The Jewish Federation and the Southern California Board of Rabbis will sponsor a wonderful discussion about the nature of civil discourse on Israel. On the panel will be Rabbis Laura Geller of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Rabbi Ed Feinstein of Valley Beth Shalom…Read more »
Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget to tell the ones you love–that you love them. I know it is not really a Jewish holiday. It is a Hallmark Day. Even the Catholic Church doesn’t observe this day anymore. It used to be St. Valentine’s Day but they decommissioned St. Valentine several decades ago! (actually it…Read more »