The language of outrage – full of drama, harshness, condemnation – fills the sermons of our prophets back in Biblical times. They spoke truth to power, condemning leaders and machers whenever their behaviors transgressed our expected moral standards. Rabbi Ron Stern of Stephen S. Wise Temple reflects upon this kind of preaching and suggests that …
Shake Up Your Seder: New and Collected Ideas 2008
Tired of the boring seder experience. Here are my new and collected Seder ideas for 2008/5768. Check out the Seder Ideas! By the way, the picture is from Or Ami’s annual Seder in the Wilderness Congregation Retreat. 400 people turn out for various Passover experiences. I was Pharaoh in 2007. View the pictures here. Join …
20 Year Old Matthew Leads Service Celebrating Exceptional Children
Sometimes you get a letter that lets you know the community is doing it right. This from Matthew’s mom: March 2008 Dear Rabbi Paul, Thank you so much for including Matthew in the amazing Shabbat service celebrating people with special needs. It was so gratifying on several levels As you know, Matthew is 20-years- old …
Make Sudan an Offer It Can’t Refuse
Sadly, we’ve been here before. The world I mean. Facing Genocide. It seems that we keep forgetting that all the talk in the world has no effect when the killing is happening. That murderers will make false promises and lie if it will allow them to continue with their murderous plans. That only when confronted …
Spirituality Work for Rabbis
JTA (Wednesday the Rabbi Sat Still), offered nice insights into the spirituality work being done by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, my alma mater, the group that taught me to care for my soul. “What we’re trying to do, on one level, is renew rabbis, cantors and educators whose jobs just drain them,” says Rabbi …
Vashti: From Disobedient Wife to Religious Feminist Role Model
Haaretz (Israeli newspaper, 3/21/08) notes a trend growing among the orthodox religious: an appreciation for Vashti’s courageous action in the Purim story. Queen Esther is the religious girl’s superhero. There is no prettier Purim costume than a pale blue dress tinged with gold. But it isn’t just because of Esther’s glamorous dress that she outnumbers …
Talking to Kids about… Governor Spitzer’s Actions
This week, many parents will be asked by their children about the actions of Governor Eliot Spitzer. My colleague, Rabbi Elyse Frishman of Barnert Temple, in Franklin Lakes, NJ, sent this message to her congregants to help them with this complicated issue. Dear Friends, The news surrounding Governor Spitzer has been dismaying: the initial revelation, …
The Shabbat the Rabbi Made House Calls
Shabbat this past Friday was celebrated in six different homes in six different neighborhoods around the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys. Prayer services were led by regular Jews. Oneg Shabbat, sweet desserts, baked or bought, was enjoyed “pot luck” style. No need for the rabbi to lead services at Temple. So what’s a rabbi to …
Lessons From the Sabbatical #1
I have just returned from a month-long Sabbatical. I spent time in Israel with a congregational adult trip and the balance at home in Calabasas, CA. Highlights included Onion Soup and tei eem nana (tea with mint) with Michelle at a Jerusalem restaurant, the study of Mekhilta de Rabi Ishmael (5th-8th century Midrash) with my …
Honoring Diane Townsend, Or Ami’s B’nai Mitzvah Teacher
On March 1, 2008, Congregation Or Ami honored Diane Townsend, our B’nai Mitzvah teacher. I had the honor of sharing these words: Diane Townsend Back in the late 19th century, Rabbi Nathan Finkel headed a yeshiva in Slobodka, a small town in Lithuania. On cold, dark winter mornings, Reb Nathan used to get up early …
Honoring Michael and Dina Kaplan at Or Ami’s Gala
Congregation Or Ami honored Michael and Dina Kaplan, synagogue and community leaders, at our Gala on March 1,2008. I spoke these words to them: Michael and Dina Kaplan individually and as a team have shown us the magic of Judaism. With complimentary sets of skills, they have shined the bright light of hope and possibility …
The End of Empathy? The End of the “Guilty Israeli”
Yossi Klein Halevi (LA Times, 3/2/08) captures the struggle so many Jews have, as the rockets keep flying into Israel from Gaza. He writes: Within the coming weeks, the Israeli army may re-invade the Gaza Strip in an attempt to stop the rocket attacks on Israeli towns and, perhaps, topple its Islamist Hamas government. If …
Sitting in Cafes during the Snow in Jerusalem; Arab Writer Speaks; Kotel Tunnel Amazes
Thursday, January 31, 2008 – Jerusalem I confess that today’s highlight for me occurred during some private time with Michelle. Taking off for lunch, we wandered up King David Street, seeking out somewhere to sit and eat. We intended to locate a comfortable café to relive our year-in-Israel experiences of sitting with friends for hours …
Rainbows over the Desert; Snow in Jerusalem
Wednesday, January 30, 2008So much to write about, no time today. Make sure to ask us about Rainbows and snow! MasadaRainbows over the DesertArriving in JerusalemSnow in JerusalemGroup Dinner at Joy, with Noah Stern
Ein Avdat and Midbar Torah Study: Desert Spirituality
Tuesday, January 29, 2008 Torah came alive in the Negev. Leaving our Dead Sea hotel early in the morning, we traveled down to Ein Avdat, a natural park/hiking reserve, encompassed within the vast Wilderness of Zin. Alexandra read from Ezekiel, about God being found in the kol d’mama daqa, the still small voice. She recounted …