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Rabbi’s Message — 2/7/25

Posted on February 7, 2025

Tonight is Shabbat Shirah, named after the song the Children of Israel sang when they crossed the Red Sea. There is a quaint midrash that describes the miracles that occurred. Apparently, when the waters parted even the embryos in their mothers’ wombs sang “Mi Chamocha!” – “Who is like You among the gods, O Eternal Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 1/31/25

Posted on January 31, 2025

The night before last I watched in horror pictures of the collision of two aircraft in Washington D.C. It was heart breaking. “There but for the grace of God go I…” – is this not what many of us imagine as we witness a tragedy? It could have been me. When a ship sinks and Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 1/23/25

Posted on January 23, 2025

On Wednesday evening, February 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. we will be celebrating Tu BiShvat with a music-filled seder and a festive meal. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Tu BiShvat is not one of our major holidays. We know what Purim is, we know what Yom Kippur and Passover are, but Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 1/17/25

Posted on January 17, 2025

At a Brit Mitzvah service I often say something like this: “For Jews a facility in prayer is important and the world of the intellect is prized but superseding spirituality and education is the Jew’s responsibility to strive toward personal moral perfection and the creation of the more perfect world.” The world took a step Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 1/10/25

Posted on January 10, 2025

The L.A. fires, the faith of Jimmy Carter, voting for a new rabbi and moving to a new community…the common theme I see is dislocation and grounding. The L.A. fires… I lived in Los Angeles from 1976-1979 when I was a student at Hebrew Union College. Los Angeles was foreign to me. I felt like Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 12/25/24

Posted on December 25, 2024

Tonight we will light the first candle of Chanukah. Let’s talk about its double story. The historical account goes like this: the Maccabees fought against the army of King Antiochus for 3 years until they were victorious. The second story goes like this: After the Temple was destroyed a little boy found a tiny flask Continue Reading »

“Giving Back to the World”

Posted on December 20, 2024

Last week I sent you a message about how to give tzedakah. It was brief and to the point. Based on Maimonides’ “Eight Steps of Charity” this is what I wrote: “Give before being asked. Give cheerfully; not grudgingly. Increase anonymity when giving. (Don’t look for glory; protect human dignity. Give because it is right, Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 12/13/24

Posted on December 13, 2024

There are at least two times during the year when charity is on the minds of American Jews. The first is during the high holiday season when “charity, prayer and repentance temper God’s severe decree.” The second is tax season, at the end of the year, when organizations vie for the attention of donors. Whether Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 11/27/24

Posted on November 27, 2024

Last Friday night I spoke to the congregation about the Thanksgiving holiday. I’m pleased to share some excerpts from that talk: Thanksgiving isn’t a Jewish holiday per se but it certainly has a Jewish feel to it. There’s the food, the family and the leisurely pace of the day. It almost seems as if there Continue Reading »

Rabbi’s Message — 11/22/24

Posted on November 22, 2024

On a Friday, sixty-one years ago today, President Kennedy was assassinated. For those who are old enough to remember, that day still lives. “Where were you when you heard Kennedy was shot?” For those who can remember, that moment continues to replay itself. John Fitzgerald Kennedy remains present even now. We Jews have a long Continue Reading »