The Perks of Being a Wallflower, this season’s teen angst movie, illuminates the very real pressures of being a teenager. The teenage search for identity is interwoven so poignantly with the dislocation created by individual brokenness. Ironically, the scene of audience participation in a costumed presentation of the cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show seems …
Educator Avram Mandel and Rabbi Julia Weisz Seven other educators, Rabbi Julia Weisz and I sit together with convener Eve Fein as part of the Clinical Faculty meeting at the Rhea Hirsch School of Jewish Education of Hebrew Union College in Los Angeles. We gather a few times a semester to reflect upon the field of …
My friend and teacher Madelyn Katz shared this post on RJ.org. Too important not to reshape here. How can Or Ami help support your children? By Dr. Madelyn M. KatzOriginally posted on RJ.org. In raising my two daughters, I had always hoped they would have courage to face life challenges with confidence and character. When …
53 teenagers – 7th through 11th grades – gathering together for our Triple T (“Tracks for Temple Teens”) teen Retreat. Over dinner, I asked them a few questions, and gave them my laptop to record their answers. First Question: What have been the best parts of the retreat so far? Arielle Tylim and Alyssa Kaplan …
I’m exhausted from the non-stop high energy hormonally enhanced teen interactions from Congregation Or Ami’s Triple T (Tracks for Temple Teens) retreat at Camp Alonim in Simi Valley. With Rabbi Julia Weisz, Cantor Doug Cotler, LoMPTY advisor Stefanie Phillips, BM Teacher Diane Townsend and a slew of talented counselors (including kid’s favorite Rabbinical Student Jonathan …
This week, I signed onto this letter in my capacity as a Rabbi. The letter was circulated by the Religious Institute, a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society. Learn more about Reform Jewish perspectives on Family Planning and Reproductive Justice. Open Letter to Religious Leaders …
Meet Ethan through the eyes of his Mom: Since his diagnosis of autism at age 2, we have worked hard to “mainstream” our son Ethan into everyday activities, schools, sports teams and social situations. At times it has been a struggle for him and for us wanting him to be a normal kid. With a …
When Congregation Or Ami met at for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, we celebrated five sacred moments: Moment of Reflection: As we look back on the previous year Moment of Counting: As we count the blessings in our lives. Moment of Celebration: As we celebrate the creation …
Why do we celebrate Sukkot with the Etrog, such a bumpy tart fruit? Why not a beautiful smooth fruit, like a tomato or shiny red apple?
When the Jewish High Holy Days arrive, is it necessarily more appropriate to log out of our social media apps, or can social media enhance the spiritual experience of these traditional days? Must Twitter, Facebook and texting just pull us back into our own private (even narcissistic) world or can they provide individual connections to a …
We schepp nachas (are filled with pride) as we celebrate Congregation Or Ami’s congregant Diane Simon Smith, for her long-term ongoing commitment to families with children with disabilities. Diane has been an integral part of Or Ami’s foundational commitment to inclusivicity, an outlook that has led us to mainstream disabled children in our religious learning …
Teshuvah (turning) is the process of making your life better, particularly on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It's time to start turning.
Posted by Rabbi Lisa Levenberg on her Tumblr feed Shir Imagination: Even though this is a Coke commercial, I love the premise—that the very lens we use to look for danger (the security camera) can also be used to document love, heroism, and joy. Coca Cola Security Cameras (by Acumulable)
“Thanks for showing me how to fish,” said the 5th grader, as she gave a big hug to Congregation Or Ami member Randy Sharon. For this young girl, and the 26 other kids from New Directions for Youth (NDFY), this was in fact their first time out fishing. In fact, for most, this was their …
Just as Shabbat dinner was mouth-watering, the Shabbat experience was delicious. 1. When you ask some people about their work and what they like about it, you hear some of the most fascinating stories. Who knew that real estate appraising, entertainment accounting, large corporation marketing and bankruptcy law was that interesting. 2. The movie Airplane …