Today marks the 4 year anniversary of Gilad Shalit’s kidnapping by Hamas.  They say he is alive.  But no one can visit him.  Not even the Red Cross.  This is a direct violation of the Geneva Conventions.  But when you deal with terrorists this is what you get. Terror. Reports through Egyptian diplomats say he has…Read more »

Parshat Balak Numbers 22:2 -25:9 Clarity in communication matters.  In our world when we are so plugged in the pace of our communications can trip us up at times.  Our words fly by.  We tweet in 140 characters or less.  We post our status on Facebook with pithy and quick wit.  We text in shorthand…Read more »

Today I meet with Jewish Communal Service Students. What is that you ask? These are dedicated graduate students who are preparing for careers of service in the Jewish Community.  They are the social workers, Federation professionals, fundraisers, executive directors and non-profit managers who help the Jewish community thrive.   Hebrew Union College trains outstanding professionals who…Read more »

Saturday night was special.  My great-nephew Alex texted me out of the clear blue sky! He was in town preparing to play a gig.  Alex is a second year college student at Clemson in South Carolina and was spending a chunk of this summer crisscrossing the U.S. with his band.  Alex is a percussionist and a…Read more »

Happy Father’s Day to all you Dads.  I hope that you get some appreciation for all that you do. Today we demonstrate our love and devotion to our fathers. My own Dad was a wonderful and gentle man.  He worked so very hard. Two jobs.  One during the week–out on the road as a traveling salesman. …Read more »

Okay I will admit it. I am a baseball snob.  I know I am supposed to be happy that the Lakers won the NBA Championship. But I don’t really care.  I don’t care that Phil Jackson is the winningest coach with 11 titles.  I don’t care that this is a back to back win for…Read more »

Parshat Chukat Numbers 19:1 – 22:1 This week’s Torah portion, Chukat, is an important turning point in the narrative of our people.  We jump 38 years ahead in the story of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land.  And the only people who will enter the Promised Land will be those born during the time…Read more »

So the final arguments are done.  In numerous tweets from the courtroom all agreed that Olson and Boies successfully tore apart the pro-Prop 8 side.  They made their so-called “experts” stumble, fumble and choke on their own words.  Even getting Blankenhorn to agree that adoption of children is a good thing!  The Olson and Boies team were…Read more »

Soon the Jewish Republican Governor of Hawai’i will have to decide to sign or veto the civil union bill on her desk. Linda Lingle has consulted with ministers and with two rabbis in Hawai’i. One from Chabad and the other my good friend and colleague, Rabbi Peter Schaktman of Temple Emanu-El of Honolulu.  Rabbi Shacktman is a Reform rabbi…Read more »