On this President’s day we would do well to remember the reasons behind it: honoring George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s birthdays.  History teaches us that these two were our greatest presidents.  Even as many of us enjoy this Monday off from work what are some of the lessons we should consider.  George Washington, our first…Read more »

Happy Valentine’s Day to all.  Well it is not really a Jewish holiday. And its origins are murky.  It is after all St. Valentine’s Day.  One version of the origins of the day tells it like this. St. Valentine was a Bishop in Rome who was martyred because he secretly officiated at marriages of young people when the…Read more »

I know what you are thinking –I am a week behind.  Last Sunday was the Super Bowl and it was. I am still celebrating the Saints victory! I love an underdog.  But next Sunday, February 21 is also Super Sunday for the Jewish Community here in Los Angeles.  This is the day when the Jewish…Read more »

This year I have been so privileged to work side by side with musician and Rabbi to be–Noam Katz.  Once a month he has spent a Shabbat at Kol Ami bringing a new and more contemporary Jewish musical mode to our worship.  He has a great spiritual presence that helps transform our words into true…Read more »

Parshat Mishpatim Exodus 21:1 -24:18  This week’s portion, Mishpatim, contains a further revelation of the legal code that the Israelites are yet to adhere to.  A collection of laws and statutes that affect everyday interactions with their fellow Israelite and other tribes are laid out in this week’s portion.  Everything is on the table from…Read more »

In this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, in the book of Exodus God sends an angel of protection for the people of Israel.   This angel is a guide to the Promised Land.   ” I am sending an angel before you to guard you on  the way and to bring you to the place that I have…Read more »

I have a secret confession. I read my horoscope every day. I am a Pisces. The fish that swim in both direction. The 12th sign of the zodiac.  Okay-actually I read several different versions of my horoscope every day! What you say? That’s not Jewish you say?  Well I know the Torah says not to…Read more »

Last night I saw the closing performance of the Pee Wee Herman Show at Club Nokia.  The whole gang was back.  Cowboy Curtis and Miss Yvonne, the King of Cartoons, and the Bear, Mail Man Mike and my personal favorite Jambi the head-only genie in a box. Of course Pee Wee Herman (Paul Reubens) was…Read more »

A few short hours from now–Americans who care about football and a few who don’t will be at their respective televisions sets praying for an outcome for their team.  Whose prayer will God hear? The loyal Colts fans who want their Payton Manning to climb even higher?  Or the loyal Saints fans who want to…Read more »

So President Obama in the midst of a raging winter storm tried this morning to rally his fellow Democrats to his agenda.  He tried to make the case to them to change the political model in Washington.  All this as the Tea Baggers gather for a convention.  President Obama articulately spoke about why Healthcare Reform…Read more »