Today is day Two of the Federal gay marriage trial-Perry v. Schwarzenegger. Reports from the courtroom indicate that there were many fewer people watching the proceedings there than yesterday.  Testimony continued from Dr. Nancy Cott who continued her brilliant testimony about the history of marriage. To read more about today’s proceeding read the eyewitness reports…Read more »

Some of you might notice I have added a new title to my blog.  I have been mulling for some time a title that would convey a little more about my approach and my philosophy and theology.  The title is a compilation of several themes and suggestions from several people who know me really well.  …Read more »

Well he is leaving it seems. Pete Carroll is off to the Seattle Seahawks. From the urban rambunctiousness of 32nd Street and Hoover, legendary USC football coach, Pete Carroll is leaving for the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest.  As a Trojan myself I am already in mourning.  But Pete Carroll made his mark on Southern Cal. He created…Read more »

I know we have already had a full week of 2010 and then some. But I am still thinking about the New Year.  I am still thinking about goals and ideas for 2010.  I haven’t quite fixed them all.  I don’t mean resolutions–like lose more weight or work out more.  I mean strategic goals for…Read more »

Parshat Shemot Exodus 1:1 – 6:1 With this week’s portion we begin the book of Exodus or Shemot in Hebrew.   Shemot does not mean Exodus; it means names as the book of Exodus begins with a listing of the names of those who went down to Egypt with Jacob when Joseph invited them.  The opening…Read more »

The Reform Rabbis Conference ended for another year today. I am always sad to say shalom to the desert. It is so beautiful here nestled among the mountains. This year’s conference didn’t disappoint. Perhaps the highlight of this year’s conference were the discussions led by our keynote speaker Mark Pelavin. Mark is the #2 at…Read more »

Today I had breakfast with Rabbi Gilad Kariv, director of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.  The IMPJ is the native Reform Jewish movement of Israel.  And it is growing! Even in a country that seems so divided between the secular and religious Jews-more and more Israelis are discovering the beauty and relevancy and spirituality of…Read more »

This week’s Torah portion is Shemot, the first of the book of Exodus. Shemot means names.  Because the names of the sons of Jacob are listed at the beginning of this week’s portion.  It is the transition from the Book of Genesis and the final stories of Jacob and Joseph in Egypt to the story of…Read more »

Ruth Messenger  President of American Jewish World Service sat in my office a couple of months ago to discuss the work of AJWS and particularly its work in Africa.  American Jewish World Service (AJWS) has done incredible work in Africa helping NGO’s with many micro grants to deal with the myriads of poverty and human rights issues that abound there. …Read more »