A story… Nachman of Bratzlav, the great Rebbe was walking with Rabbi Nathan, his greatest disciple, through town and they passed a fenced yard that was guarded by dogs. These were vicious, half-starved, half-mad beasts that rushed up to the edge of the property to lunge, bark and howl at the two men walking by. …
December, the “happiest time of year.” Enjoy Chanukah. Celebrate Christmas or Kwanza with friends. Joyous music. Dancing Chanukiah candles and simmering potato latkes. Bright lights. It is a joyous time of year. Except for two groups: Jewish scrooges and some interfaith couples and families. The former (with whom I identify every few years) get freaked …
Here’s what I worry about, what sometimes keeps me up at night: that some person, out of his own insecurities or just plain meanness, finds a way to weasel under the skin of one of my kids, plays on her insecurities, and inflicts a wound that could prove fatal. Here’s what keeps me up at …
I received a message recently about a parent of a child with special needs. It seems that this parent was unsure that the special needs child could ever become a Bar Mitzvah. Here’s my response to the parent: Recently, Cantor Doug Cotler and I officiated at two different B’nai Mitzvah services of children with special …
Compiled by Mishpacha Coordinators Sarah Lauing and Lisa Berney Miyut Sichah (Minimizing the Conversation) Say little and do a lot. (Pirke Avot 1:15) “The wise man does not speak before him that is greater than he in wisdom; He does not break into his fellow’s speech. He is not in a rush to reply. He …
We gathered together, 35 of us, to continue our discussion about how to be the best parents for our children. With our worlds rocked recently by the suicide deaths of two seemly content 18 year olds, we each sought some grounding and guidance from our Jewish tradition. Our previous session of the Mishpacha Family Alternative …
What’s a synagogue? The traditional answer (in Talmud Bava Metzia 28b) is a synagogue is a Beit Midrash (house of study), a Beit Knesset (house of assembly), and a Beit Tefillah (house of prayer). Many synagogues today add a fourth, that it should also be a Beit Tikkun Olam (house of social justice). At Congregation …
I just signed onto a petition to the United States Senate, urging them to push forward the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. I have written before about the sanctity of unions between gay men and between lesbians. It is about B’tzelem Elohim, that we were all created …
Sometimes wisdom is right before us. Sometimes God’s presence is nearby, if only we open our eyes to it. On a plane ride back from installing our former intern, now rabbi, Brett Krichiver as Senior Rabbi of Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation, I was thinking about an issue that was troubling me. Instead of wasting the time playing …
Today I signed onto an OPEN LETTER to Village Voice Media, saying that “we agree with 51 Attorneys General. Girls and boys should not be sold for sex on Village Voice Media’s Backpage.com.” Mr. Jim Larkin, CEO and Chair Members of the Board of Directors Village Voice Media Dear Mr. Larkin and the Board of Directors of …
What might a young person appreciate when he or she is sick, loses a grandparent, or has some other problem? Besides the love and support of parents, he/she also might enjoy the support and text/email/Facebook outreach from his/her peers. That is why Congregation Or Ami is preparing to unveil a new way that we …
Suicide, Drinking, and Dying What To Say to Your Children (and yourself) The news spread quickly, which is to be expected when it involves a pair of suicides of young people and the death of another, allegedly by alcohol poisoning. Those who knew the young men and even those who did not, are shocked, scared …
Rabbi Donniel Hartman, President of Shalom Hartman Institute and Director of the Engaging Israel Project, wrote this article about Living with Missiles. Because it offers an important perspective on how to live in a dangerous neighborhood, the article appears fully. It is well worth the read: By DONNIEL HARTMAN It’s a strange thing, having to …
Challenge: Over 1,000 congregants gathered for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur services. All 1,000+ worshippers want to be able to touch or kiss the Torah during the Hakafah. We have only two aisles in the Fred Kavli theater in Thousand Oaks where we worship, and those aisles go up the sides of the theater. Too much of …
I always expected that Hollywood sets were peopled with entitled stars and prima dona producers. That is, until I spent two days for my star turn as the marrying/burying Rabbi on ABC’s Body of Proof. There on location at the hotel, I witnessed one of the nicest and most welcoming workplace environments and approachable cast …