I just learned that two relatives of two people dear to my congregation and to me were diagnosed with cancer. Seeking solace, I found a prayer written by my friend Rabbi Zoè Klein (Temple Isaiah, Los Angeles): Prayer for a Cure for Cancer Words of healing By Rabbi Zoè Klein We are sometimes mistaken when …
An Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing passed around AN OPEN LETTER TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY. It spoke eloquently, with the support of a diverse group of interfaith religious leaders (including myself), about relational justice, about the significance of marriage and family, and about the importance of marriage equality. Two paragraphs …
Olympics 2008: Hiding the Scourage of Genocide
Sure, we are all looking forward to the Summer Olympics to revel in the amazing abilities of athletes from around the world. However, it is just so disappointing and so tragic that once again the Olympics serve as a propaganda tool that hides the hosts connection to genocide. The 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany provided …
Conviction: Love Story, Religious Persecution, Poignant Performance
Last night, in the new and beautiful Calabasas Civic Center outdoor amphitheater, we watched the brilliant one man play, Conviction. It was a poignant production made all the more moving by the powerful performance of Ami Dayan (the play’s director, sole performer and co-translator). Conviction is based on a true story of a beautiful love …
Rabbi Paul Kipnes for President!
Are you sick of the mudslinging? Looking for an honest, ethical candidate? Look no farther. While I have been doing my best to hide it from my friends, family and the synagogue, one Or Ami congregant Kim Gubner did some powerful sleuthing, saw the national news report on my campaign and outed me. It is …
Conference Art: Doodling During Discussions
I have discovered that if I really want to soak in the discussions during conferences or classes, I need to take notes. In recent years, I have taken to creating what I call “Conference Art,” doodles done during discussions which keep my mind focused (multitasking, of course), and capture significant ideas or experiences. Sometimes these …
Prayer in My Life: Some Reflections
I just returned home from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS) Hevraya (spiritual alumni) retreat in West Cornwall, Connecticut. Five days of Jewish mindfulness meditation, yoga, intense study of Chasidic texts, self-reflective silence (for 15 hours a day), and some of the most uplifting prayer I have ever experienced. Rabbis, cantors, educators (my wife!) gathered …
Or Ami Delegation Energizes Camp Newman
One Shabbat each session, Michelle and I invite all of our Or Ami campers and staff to a “study session” (a.k.a. junk food party). It is one of our highlights of the summer to hear the campers kvell about their camp experience. They eat some junk food. They talk loudly. They eat more junk food. …
The Joy of Hanging with “My Kids”
There is something special about hanging at camp with “my kids,” the children of Or Ami congregants. Sure, Michelle and I have three our own (biological) children. Yet, each summer that number jumps as we chaperon a delegation of campers from Congregation Or Ami to the URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA. Most of …
What’s a Rabbi Do Up at Camp?
We met yesterday with some people from a Foundation who were interested in partnering to further deepen the Jewish educational experience at camp. They asked us a series of questions including: What do you do as Rabbinical faculty at camp? We asked: Expected responsibilities or unofficial ones? They asked: Both! What does a Rabbinical faculty …
In Loco Parentis: Camp Staff Are Crazy for their Camper Kids
On Friday night, the Beit Tefillah, Camp Newman’s main amphitheater outdoor sanctuary, is an ever moving sea of white shirts, kippot, and smiles. Hundreds of campers and staff join together for a guitar and saxophone-led singing tribute to holiness and the Holy One. At one high point in the service at the URJ Camp Newman, …
Camp’s the “Ultimate” Experience
Before we arrived at the URJ Camp Newman for summer camp, my sons told me that I WAS playing in the camp’s Ultimate Frisbee game this summer. No excuses. No made-up last minute meetings to attend. Their dad was to join the staff team in their annual Ultimate Frisbee combat against the CITs (Counselors in …
Back at Camp Newman, Summertime 2008
Camp Newman 2008/5768… We’re back! Our two boys graduated from their respective Jewish schools – Daniel from what we call “Kadeshel” (officially Kadima-Heschel West Middle School) and Noah from Heschel West Jewish Day School. The ceremonies were meaningful and fun. But for the two boys, and their sister Rachel, these experiences merely served as the …
AIPAC Conference Highlights
Three whirlwind days at the America Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference 2009. Amazing. Heard from both presumptive nominees (Obama and McCain), candidate Senator Hilary Clinton, the Speaker of the House Pelosi, Leader of the Republican in Congress, Secretary of State Condaleeza Rice, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli Minister Natan Sharansky dozens of Senators …
Obama Speaks, Jews Listen, AIPAC Amazes
The day after he surpassed the delegate threshold, Senator Barack Obama showed up at the AIPAC Policy Conference to honor and reflect upon the amazing relationship between America and Israel. That this was one of his FIRST stops once he clinched the nomination is a tribute to the intense work AIPAC does to create relationships …