Yesterday I had the great privilege to study with Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. He is the greatest Talmud scholar of our times.  He has been working on a new version of the Talmud in both Hebrew and an English version for many years.  The Hebrew version will be completed next November and he was here in…Read more »

Saturday night I was lucky to attend and speak at a house party for California Faith For Equality.  (Thanks Jane and Leesa!)  This is a wonderful and very important organization.  I sit on the Board and I have been a founding member of this group.  It has the largest network of progressive people of faith…Read more »

People who know me well know that one of my mottos is “If there is snow-I don’t go.”  I am afraid this Southern girl is allergic to cold weather and in particular to snow.  Instead of Olympic Gold I have an Olympic cold. My son loves the snow. He loves to snowboard and is actually…Read more »

Parshat Terumah Exodus Chapter 25:1 -27:19 This week’s portion, Terumah gives the instructions for building the tabernacle of the desert called the Mishkan. This is the forerunner of the Temple. With great details, God tells Moses that the Children of Israel will bring all kinds of gifts that become the raw materials that the craftsmen…Read more »

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell must be headed to the trash heap.  Military backers who want to move so slowly just don’t get it. Read the Jewish Telegraphic Agency Article that describes how the  Jewish Council on Public Policy plans to deal with Don’t Ask Don’t Tell!  What do you think? Vote at the end of…Read more »

Dear Readers, It has been an amazingly fun journey to share some thoughts with you daily.  As much as I have enjoyed writing, I hope that you have enjoyed reading and that some of my posts have caused you to think, smile, or even be moved to action. And action is one thing I am…Read more »

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 »