Posted by in Uncategorized Today is Earth Day. You will hear a lot of emphasis on caring for our planet, recycling, energy reduction including reducing your own carbon footprint. There are simple things you can and should do including changing all your light bulbs to CFL ones rather than incandescent ones. You can take your phone charger out of…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized This Shabbat is a time to TURN IT OFF. Electronics that is. Jewish communities across North America are participating in Shabbat Unplugged. This is an effort to reclaim Shabbat in the age of Social Media and the internet. Like many of you I am connected in all the time. Facebook on my smartphone. Email accessible.…Read more »
Posted by in Torah Commentary Parshat Vayakhel Exodus 35:1-38:20 This week in our Torah we read Vayahkel. It seems as if it is a repetition of the earlier instructions and descriptions of building the Mishkan, the Tabernacle. It is straightforward and to the point. Tradition teaches us that there is no extraneous information in the Torah. So why then do…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized This is the last Shabbat post. Usually I write my Shabbat post way before Shabbat and merely have it automatically post. But I am going to try to unplug for Shabbat in a real way. In this new social media world we who are online and connected all the time have often forgotten that it…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 Israel Don’t forget to join us at Kol Ami tonight. The amazing Vox Femina choral group will be filling our sanctuary with Jewish music. Founded by Kol Ami member, Dr. Iris Levine chair of the music department at Cal Poly Pomona, Vox Femina has won numerous awards for their artistry and dedication. They will join with…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized I am so thrilled that this year the very awesome, talented and spiritual Julie Silver will be celebrating Shabbat at Kol Ami with me. Julie has sung on several occasions at Kol Ami, including High Holy Days more than 14 years ago! This Friday night is the first of five Shabbatot this year: Friday night,…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Tonight for Shabbat no challah bread. Tonight we make motzi on our matzah bread as we do every night of Pesach. But the contrast between the rich twisted egg bread and our simple matzah drives home even more the message of this Passover holiday. In Egypt we were the poorest segment of society. We were harassed, bullied, oppressed by harsh…Read more »
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 