Torah commentary on Nitzavim: Why did the people have to stand up so long?
Touro Synagogue, Oldest Jewish Synagogue in United States
The history of Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the United States, offers lessons about social justice and religious tolerance that resonate even today. Video written & directed by Seth Front: http://sethfront.com “Shalom Rav” Performed by Nancy Linder: http://nancylinder.com Music by Jeff Klepper & Dan Freelander
A Sanctuary of Kindness, Your Second Home
The clergy of Congregation Or Ami (Calabasas) share their vision of the synagogue as a sanctuary of kindness, your second home.
Car Accident, Rape, and the Responsibility of Standing Up to be Counted
How a car accident and a rape teaches us about the responsibility to stand up and be counted.
A Prayer for these Fire-Filled Days
A Prayer for during a Fire: Our God and God of our fathers and mothers, as the flames burn, wreaking havoc upon our homes, our hills, our fire fighters, our sense of security, we turn to You for comfort and support.
Shabbat Video Message: On Blessings and Curses
Our Shabbat Hike: Praying Out in the California Wilds
On our Shabbat hike, we experienced a different connection with God, a deeper connection that allowed us to experience God as our ancestors did. In the wilderness, without walls, without man-made things, it seemed easier to feel God's presence.
10 Steps to Leading Your Own Shabbat Hike
Leading your own synagogue Shabbat Hike is incredibly easy. In just 10 steps – simple but effective – you can embark on a moving spiritual experience. And, as we discovered on Congregation Or Ami’s own Shabbat Hikes, the journey is inspiring and refreshing. They say that exercise is good for the soul. I think Shabbat in the …
Shabbat Video Message: Hiking on Shabbat in the Wilderness
A Vow to Keep Learning
Sitting in my mentor's study, I soak up his wisdom. Rabbi Stan Davids seems to know so much about so many things and I wonder how that was possible.
Transgender – Gender is More than Genitals + Chromosomes
Understanding transgender. What if gender is determined by more than genitalia and chromosomes? What if the way we have always perceived humanity has been flawed or wrong?
Some Truth about Mothers
The Hebrew word for truth is אמת (meet). The Hebrew word for mother is אמ (em) – the first two letters of the word אמת (meet). To discover truth, we are often need only go in the right direction, the one that our mothers point us in.
Video: Being a Parent at Congregation Or Ami
In this video, Moms and Dads reflect upon the joyous, warm experience of being parents at Congregation Or Ami.
My First Music Video – Mi Chamocha by Sheryl Braunstein, Daniel Braunstein, and Rabbi Paul Kipnes
My First Music Video! Mi Chamocha, a new version written by Sheryl Braunstein, Daniel Braunstein and me (Rabbi Paul Kipnes).
Seder Prep Tips
Seder Prep Tips from the Kipnes/November Seder Table. Plus readings and inserts for your Haggadah.