Thomas Friedman, of the New York Times, points out the insanity of Energy Efficiency politics. He writes: What is it about Michigan that seems to encourage assisted suicide? That is all I can think watching Michigan congressmen and senators, led by Representative John Dingell, doing their best imitations of Jack Kevorkian and once again trying …
Haunting, Horrific, Uncomfortable: Why this Sculpture Sits Outside My Office
“Rabbi, this scuplture is so haunting! It is a downer – definately NOT Or Ami.” Many have commented on how uncomfortable the “Sudanese Mother and Child” sculpture makes them feel. That’s exactly why it sits in our foyer, outside the Rabbi’s office. The horrors of the Darfurian genocide should make us all uncomfortable. We, who …
How Do You Do a Bar Mitzvah in the Dark?
Did I tell you about the Bar Mitzvah service held on the 112 degree day? And then the lights went out! The Jewish Journal posted my article The Shabbat the Lights Went Out in Calabasas. Read on… Our synagogue’s name, Or Ami, means “Light of My People.” The name reflects our hope to shine brightly …
How Does Being a Synagogue Member Make My Life Better?
I invited a former synagogue member – a wonderful and very pleasant person – to rejoin the synagogue after a few years away. She said she had thought about it and wondered “How would being a member make my life better….or different?” I thought about her question a lot and struggled. I’m wondering how YOU …
Burning Man: Nevada Desert Festival Sheds Light on Sukkot
Jewish Journal’s Rob Eshman captures the excitement of Sukkot as he reflects on Burning Man: I have perfectly normal, respectable friends — doctors, producers, financiers — who every year slip into something more comfortable and head down to Burning Man. About 25,000 gather for one week each year in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create …
Thank You’s, Baseball with the Boys, and Dirty Sexy Money: How the Rabbi Spent the Day After Yom Kippur
Every wonder what the rabbi does right after Yom Kippur? Following weeks of preparation – writing sermons, preparing kavannot (meditations to introduce prayers), meeting with potential new members and organizing Torah readers, Shofar sounders and more – what does the rabbi do with his first “down time” in a month?Thank You’s: Putting on the High …
Why Fast? Thoughts from the Yom Kippur Yenta
Why Fast? I am reminded of a true story, about a Rabbi driving to services on Yom Kippur. There he was, driving down the highway, reviewing the sermon in his head, while apparently, pushing the gas pedal to the mat, when lights flashing and sirens blaring, a motorcycle cop pulled him over. Smile on his …
Abraham Failed God’s Test! But God Loved Him Anyway
Each Rosh Hashanah, we read the horrid tale of the Akedah (Genesis 22), the almost sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. Commentators throughout the ages characterize this story as an example of the heights of faith. Abraham loved God so much he was willing to give up the child he waited so long to bear. But …
Insuring Uninsured Children
With the High Holy Days coming, I am doubly concerned about doing the right thing, about taking care of those unable to care for themselves. That’s why I signed onto a clergy letter to our President Bush about insuring uninsured children. Dear Mr. President: As faith communities spanning the major American religious traditions, we are …
Goodbye Rabbinic Judaism, Hello Judaism’s Third Phase: “Freedom Judaism”
Rosner’s Domain, a blog on Haaretz newspaper, invited Gil Mann to be Rosner’s Guest for the week. Mann is author of 2 books: Sex, God, Christmas & Jews, Intimate Emails About Faith and Life Challenges, a finalist of the Koret International Jewish Book Award, and How to Get More Out of Being Jewish Even if: …
Anticipating the New Reform Movement Prayer Book
The New York Times reported on Mishkan Tefilah, the new Reform Movement prayerbook due out later this fall. In the article In New Prayer Book, Signs of Broad Change (September 3, 2007) we learn that “The nation’s largest Jewish movement is preparing to adopt a new prayer book intended to offer something for everyone, including …
Wisdom from the Middle Movement: Conservative Judaism at a Crossroads
In anticipation of the upcoming inauguration of Arnold Eisen as Chancellor at Jewish Theological Seminary, the Conservative Movement’s central institution, the Jewish Forward invited Conservative leaders to consider, “Is Conservative Judaism suffering from malaise? If so, what is the nature of the problem? And how should Conservative Jews steer their ship into the future?” Two …
A Prayer for our Children, Returning to School
As Shabbat approaches, may we take to offer the following prayer and intention for all of those in our community who may have children, grand-children or loved ones who are on the verge of a new school year. In the next few days, or perhaps this Shabbat evening, please take a moment to recite it …
Make High Holy Days Meaningful: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Let’s face it. The High Holy Days can be stressful. For those with school-age children, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur coincide with the beginning of the school year. The lighter workload of the summer is replaced by the need to buckle down at our jobs. Traffic increases. Sports teams organize. Religious School begins. We are …
Fresh Perspective on Reform Judaism’s Gifts
Robert M. Heller, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Union for Reform Judaism, gets it right! He extols the refreshing perspective of Reform Judaism in its approach to Jewish life and living. Heller writes on the Jpost.com blog: …That is not today’s world. Old barriers have fallen. When it comes to religion, we can be …