Posted by in Uncategorized It is comforting to follow the progress of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords better known as “Gabby”. Following the shooting in Arizona she is now in Houston, Texas in a rehabilitation hospital following transport by ambulance, plane and helicopter! She has made incredible progress in a short amount of time astounding the doctors, nurses and most of…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Tu B’shvat higeeyah. Yes, Tu B’shvat is here. Today is the 15th of the month of Shevat. One of the New Year’s of Jewish tradition. Today is often called the birthday of the trees. This is because everything produced after this day is accounted for in the new calculations for the temple terumot and ma’aserot.…Read more »
Posted by in Israel, Uncategorized This is an article from Ha-aretz. One of Israel’s leading paper. The Palestinian state on the ground is being recognized by nations. Including Russia. Even without borders that have been agreed upon. Even without security zone negotiations. Even without dealing with the Gaza/Hamas situation. The Palestinian (read West Bank) leaders are moving forward to try…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized More music abounds at Kol Ami this coming Shabbat. This Friday night we welcome back singer/songwriter extrodinaire Julie Silver. Julie will co-lead worship with me bringing her unique voice, music and spiritual presence to our community. You are all invited to be there and sing with us. Services begin at 8 pm at Kol Ami…Read more »
Posted by in glbt, Uncategorized It was a very gay night in Hollywood. Okay technically Beverly Hills. The Golden Globes was a night to celebrate Gays and lesbians. With a major win for best picture for “The Kids are All Right” and a best actress nod to Annette Benning in that very film, lesbian family life was highlighted. So too…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized I have been writing lately an occasional series about the changing funeral and burial customs in Judaism. I had planned to write several posts last week only to be interrupted in that by two funerals. Of course the death of Debbie Friedman last Sunday and her funeral last Tuesday and then the death of a…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Shabbat Shalom This weekend is Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend. We celebrate his birth and his amazing contributions to our nation and the world. Here are some of his words to reflect upon this weekend. And perhaps just perhaps help finally make justice and equality for all the way. True peace is not merely the…Read more »
Posted by in politics, Uncategorized I have written about hate speech before. I wrote about it last spring when the tea party was gaining steam and they used a kind of racial rhetoric embedded in their anti-big government, anti-tax, language. The subtle racism and classism that continued and continues to see immigrants and the black underclasses as threats. Or government…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized The funeral for Debbie Friedman will be held Tuesday January 11 at 11 am at Temple Beth Sholom in Santa Ana, California. Temple Beth Sholom is at 2625 Tustin Avenue. The funeral service is open to the public. If you want to watch the live stream of the funeral service click here If you…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized What a sad weekend. The tragic shooting of Rep. Giffords in Arizona and the deaths of so many people in Tuscon coupled with the passing of Jewish music great Debbie Friedman makes this a painful weekend. Debbie was an amazingly gifted singer and songwriter. Most knew her through her incredible Jewish music. I had the…Read more »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 