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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. we will be holding an open discussion on last week’s election and today is Veterans Day. So America has been on my mind. My father served in WWII on an LST (Landing Ship Tank) on the English Channel. He was proud of his service to the country and the words: ‘U.S. Continue Reading »
You might expect that I would have a few words about yesterday’s election. Not so. I’m going to let the dust settle before offering any observations. For those who voted for Trump, it is the morning after; for those who voted for Harris, it is the mourning after. As a nation let’s pray for greater Continue Reading »
When I was a first year Rabbinical student studying in Jerusalem quite a few of my friends were vegetarians. I scoffed. Not out loud, of course – but most definitely to myself. Where will it end, I thought. Just because we cannot hear the head of lettuce scream when it’s cut, should we care for Continue Reading »
