Jerusalem is a mix of the most amazing people. Here you meet folks from all over the world. It is truly a crossroads of the world. But my dinner in the Old City might have captured it all. Wanting to celebrate my good friend’s birthday, my dear friend Russell (thank you so much for schlepping …Read more »
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Changes in the law
Parshat Matot/Masei Numbers 30:2 – 36:13 Our double portion is the end of the book of Numbers. The children of Israel are poised to enter the Promised Land. Preparations are being made on the steppes of Moab to cross over and begin a new phase-occupying and settling the land and building a home for the…Read more »
My heart aches for Hawaii
How sad. Governor Lingle today kept Hawaii from greatness. My heart aches for Hawaii. Today she vetoed Hawaii’s civil union bill. One of the places where the battle for marriage equality began. Lingle who ought to know better keeps oppression and inequality as part of Hawaii’s legacy. Lingle as a Jew should think closely about…Read more »
Real Impact
Yesterday while Americans were eating their hot dogs and watching fireworks as they celebrated America’s birthday, I was on a tour bus in Israel with a group of rabbis. We were visiting three important projects funded by the North American Jewish Federations and United Jewish Communities through coöperation with the Jewish Agency here in Israel.…Read more »
The Hush from Jerusalem
Jerusalem is getting ready for Shabbat. The stores are closing and people are making their preparations for the hush that comes with the setting of the sun. Since it is summer it doesn’t come til later but people were so busy this morning shopping, getting food and flowers and all the fixins’ for a day…Read more »
Rules for bringing Justice
Parshat Pinchas Numbers 25:10-30:1 Our Parsha this week details the story of the daughters of Zelophechad. Much of the Torah portion has to do with the allotment and division of the Promised Land. Soon the Children of Israel will cross over the Jordan and begin the process of settling it. The Israelite families and tribes and…Read more »
Only in Israel
So after the plane ride and waiting more than hour at the airport in line to deal with cell phone issues (yes Bruchim Habaim to Israel and bureaucracy) I got settled in my apartment. It is right on the Katamon/German Colony/Greek Colony border! I meet the agent a lovely chap from Melbourne who made aliyah many years ago. …Read more »
From on high
So the plane is WIFI’ed! And with so many hours on my hands I thought I would reflect on surfing the web at 30,000 ft in the air. It Rocks! Who thought the heavens could be a part of the social networking world. When the Tanach describes the heavens above, the firmament above the earth, I…Read more »
Time for a Sabbatical
Okay dear friends, I made a decision. Tomorow I begin a month long Sabbatical. I am off to Israel to study at the Shalom Hartman Institute in their Rabbinic Leadership Institute. This is a three year Fellowship program of study that will continue when I return in August during the year. But to really have…Read more »
DREAMS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
There are lots of kids with special needs. My friend Marc Purchin had a dream and idea to help out. Instead of a usual 40th birthday celebration–he thought he would give back. He founded the Quad4Dreams event which will take place on July 25 in Culver City, CA. This sports/fun event to be held at Veteran’s…Read more »