Parshat Lech Lecha Genesis 12:1-17:27 The story of the Jewish people begins this week as the Bible introduces us to Abram and Sarai. These are our spiritual parents. Every Jewish person traces their ancestry to these two. And those who choose Judaism as their tribe and faith tradition are even given the names of Abraham…Read more »
Author: rabbieger
DADT DEAD-Let’s play Taps
Oh my goodness. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the heinous military policy that dehumanized some of our country’s finest soldiers simply because they were gay men or lesbians is DEAD! The Judge ordered an injunction that would stop the military from enforcing the policy. This injunction came from Judge Virginia Phillips, the same judge that ruled…Read more »
Synagogue Etiquette, culture and knowing the ropes
There are lots of folks who have never belonged to a synagogue community. And in their spiritual journey they seek out the benefits of belonging to a synagogue. The benefits are many. It is hard to be Jewish on your own. Oh, I know people do it all the time. They are unafilliated. In fact…Read more »
A culture of anti-gay violence and National Coming Out Day
The descriptions are horrific. The anti-gay gang that was arrested in New York for the brutal attacks on three people pushed homophobia and anti-gay violence to a new level. Eight members of the “Latin King Goonies” have been arrested for their suspected brutal attack on three gay men in the Bronx. They burned and…Read more »
Post Season Joy
The Playoffs are rockin’ in earnest. Halliday’s no-hitter. Lincecum’s 14k’s. The Yankees usual dominance. The post season of Major League Baseball is in literally full swing. I have to say a bit wistfully I don’t know really who to cheer for. I do own a Yankees hat. But that’s the only one of the…Read more »
Register to vote then do it
It is approaching fast. That is the deadline to register to vote in the November election. Here is California we are voting not only for Governor, Lt. Governor and one of the Senate seats but we are voting for Attorney General. This is a very important position. It is this position that brings lawsuits on…Read more »
A midrash about Noah
Shabbat Noach Genesis 6:9-11:2 A Midrash: The earth became a wicked place. People were harsh to one another. They spoke cruelly. They stole from one another. There was no such thing as human kindness. They bullied each other and drove some to murder and others to suicide. They humanity forgot that they were made in…Read more »
Julie Silver Sings at Kol Ami
I am so thrilled that this year the very awesome, talented and spiritual Julie Silver will be celebrating Shabbat at Kol Ami with me. Julie has sung on several occasions at Kol Ami, including High Holy Days more than 14 years ago! This Friday night is the first of five Shabbatot this year: Friday night,…Read more »
Bullying in New Jersey
This is a letter to the Publisher of the Jewish Standard who recently succumbed to pressure from the Orthodox community to retract gay and lesbian Jewish wedding announcements in that paper. Dear Mr. Janoff: I am deeply disappointed in your paper’s (The Jewish Standard) policy to exclude gay couples from wedding announcements. What happened to…Read more »
Don’t forget the young people
Don’t forget to show up tonight for the young people who were bullied to death. The rash of recent suicides because young people were bullied for being gay is shocking. It is time to make sure this stops. Even as the religious wing nuts continue to want to demonize gay people. No wonder some young…Read more »