Following Michael J. Fox’s poignant speech to the URJ Biennial regarding research with Stem Cells, it was rewarding to read in Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz (12/18/07) that: Israeli research among ’50 most significant scientific breakthroughs in 2007′ A groundbreaking discovery in the field of artificial intelligence, conducted by two Tel Aviv University academics, and Israeli research …
Treatment for Seasonal Affective Disorder Takes a Page from Chanukah
I recently learned that a relative has Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD for short. Like others effected by SAD, this relative is profoundly changed as the seasons change. Her moods, her energy, and her concentration are dampened as the weather darkens. I laughed as I heard this, sharing that I prefer it out here in California …
Heart Soaring and Head Spinning. The Biennial Closes
The Biennial wrapping up. My head is spinning even as my heart is soaring. Heart soaring because, with my family and dear members of our Or Ami congregational family, we experienced two very moving Shabbat services filled with uplifting Shabbat music and inspiring leadership. Heart soaring because of the incredible music of Doug Cotler, Julie …
Just Congregations: A New Old Way of Changing the World
I’m sitting in a session on Just Congregations, a social justice project that is focused around one on one conversations between individuals. When you and I begin to talk about what concerns us, what keeps us up at night, and then we talk to two others, and so on and so on, certain community-wide burning …
Michael J. Fox on Parkinson’s, Stem Cell Research and His Reform Jewish Family
Michael J. Fox, upon receiving the Maurice N. Eisendrath Bearer of Light Award, spoke about his own journey with Parkinson’s disease, about creating his foundation, and about how it is so difficult to move scientific research from an idea toward a cure. Words of wisdom from Mr. Fox: On Parkinson’s disease: It’s a gift. (On …
New Rabbis, Educators, Rabbinical Students, and Education Students: The Light of Or Ami Continues to Shine
Gather 5000 Jews together in one place and you are bound to bump into old friends, camp cabinmates, former classmates, and past students. Hanging at the Reform Movement’s Biennial convention in San Diego is an experience of Jewish Facebook come alive. Perhaps the most fascinating part has been bumping into generations of former Or Ami …
Fascinating Presentations; Great Friends
In the midst of a scintillating presentation by the UN ambassador, five of my rabbinic friends came by and ambushed me. Torn between listening to the speaker and talking with my friends, I took a moment to capture the moment and then went back to listening. With me, from left to right, are Rabbis Elaine …
How Does Synagogue Membership Make Me Better
My colleague Rabbi Alan Litwak mentioned an article about How Does Synagogue Membership Make Me Better. People expressed interest in seeing it. So here is a link to the original post.
President Susan Gould Mixes Warmth and Wisdom in Biennial Presentation
I’m sitting here with Or Ami congregant Kim Gubner, as we listen to our President Susan Gould talk about our national award-winning program, No One is More Welcomed at Or Ami Than You. It won a Belin Outreach Award from the Union of Reform Judaism. The program is really a website that focuses on warmly …
Rabbi Kipnes Presents New Media and Technology Workshop
At the recent Biennial Convention of the Union for Reform Judaism, I co-led a workshop on integrating new media and technology. I worked with Sean Thibault at the Religious Action Center: sthibault@rac.org. That little Or Ami was invited to present at such a workshop is a source of great nachas (pride/joy). The workshop was really …
No Limit Texas Hold’em DRIEDEL
Just when you thought Chanukah couldn’t get any more interesting! As the Jewish Forward explains it: There is a new game called No Limit Texas Dreidel (www.moderntribe.com, 877-324-1818; $18). This is not a bad concept. Poker has traditionally held more fascination for kids than a game of dreidel. Poker has all the money that goes …
Do I Direct God or Does God Direct Me?
Mei Hashiloach, my Institute for Jewish Spirituality study text for the year, asks the question on Mikketz: Who rules over whom? Do I rule over God or does God’s desires direct me? Said differently: who gets credit for my successes? Do I? or am I just a vessel for the Holy One? My teacher Jonathan …
Back on the Meditation Track
After 2 years of a meditation, yoga, text study and breathing spiritual practice, I have found myself falling away from my practice. Without my teachers from the Institute for Jewish Spirituality at my side, it became more and more difficult to fight the ever growing demands from my job, my teenagers, my family. Recently, a …
Tracing Business Acumen to Dyslexia
As a follow up to a recent post on the America’s Top Model who has Asperger’s Syndrome, I offer this article, also from the New York Times (12/6/07) on Tracing Business Acumen to Dyslexia. The author explains that: A study concluded that dyslexics were more likely than nondyslexics to excel in oral communication and problem …
Mervyn’s Child Spree: Spreading the Light to Foster Kids
It is wonderful to feel so proud of our Congregation Or Ami! Deborah Echt-Moxness, Social Action Co-chair, explains: When Or Ami’s President Sue Gould found out there was not going to be Mervyn’s-sponsored Holiday Shopping Child Spree this year, she immediately went to our generous and compassionate Rabbi Paul Kipnes, who instantly fronted tzedakah from …