Posted by in Uncategorized Mazal tov to the Beverly Hills Normans. Season Opener was Saturday. I am proud to say the son pitched the first five inning –in a game they won. Sadly he won’t get credit for the win. But he did a fine job I am told. (I was leading Shabbat services). The second game he was…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized I made it through Shabbat without a Facebook post or a tweet. Wow! I vaguely remember that there was a time before these things were invented. Oh yeah, just a few years ago. But Tweeting and Facebook have so changed our realities. But this Shabbat I participated in Shabbat Unplugged–and didn’t tweet and or Facebook.…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized This Shabbat is a time to TURN IT OFF. Electronics that is. Jewish communities across North America are participating in Shabbat Unplugged. This is an effort to reclaim Shabbat in the age of Social Media and the internet. Like many of you I am connected in all the time. Facebook on my smartphone. Email accessible.…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Today the Supreme Court ruled (8-1) that Fred Phelps and his ilk have the free speech right to protest at a military funeral. Our constitution affirms the right of free speech and the right of assembly. But Fred Phelps and the handful of family members who make up his Westboro Baptist Church are still guilty…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized On Wednesday night of last week I had a wonderful treat. Gahl Sasson taught a wonderful introductory class on Kabbalah at Kol Ami. He is a master teacher. And an all around nice guy. But he also is a wonderful kabbalist and astrologer. He has an amazing way of weaving together Jewish tradition, the Kabbala…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized 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 »
Posted by in politics, Uncategorized 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 »
Posted by in baseball, Uncategorized 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 »
Posted by in Uncategorized 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 »
Posted by in Uncategorized 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 »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 