Jewish Tradition on Kitniyot and Chametz Every year, we struggle to recall and understand the Jewish tradition regarding what to eat and not to eat on Passover. With the help of our former Rabbinic Intern Eric Berk, we are pleased to offer this article to clarify the difference between chametz (we don’t eat!) and kitniyot …
Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, spoke at a Mass celebrating House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s inauguration. His words about the Darfurian Genocide are haunting: Despite the committed efforts of our President, Congress, and ourselves, I fear that we will commit what Dr. King described as the most tragic political sin …
We just returned from viewing the poignant Israeli documentary movie, WITHDRAWAL FROM GAZA (Hayetzia MeAza), by director Joel Blasberg. Screened as part of the Israeli film festival, this remarkable film documents the emotionally charged political event where Jews were pitted against Jews, yet where no one was harmed. In the summer of 2005, approximately 8500 …
Abby Leibman of Jewish World Watch, an organization whose motto is “Do not stand idly by,” spoke at Congregation Or Ami last night about the ongoing Genocide in the Darfur region of the Sudan. I am again horrified by the inaction of the world to this ongoing travesty. We learned that action by the world’s …
Sarah walked into my office, sat in a chair and confessed, “My mother doesn’t know me anymore.” Tears began streaming down her face. I recognized that a while had passed since I saw her around the synagogue. She continued, “My mother Barbara sits in the convalescent home, weeks now after her fall. Her hip is …
Since it warmed up here in Minnesota, I took advantage of the balmy 9 degree weather by taking a walk outside around the lake. Though chilly, it gave me a chance to reflect back on a day that warmed my heart. This second day spent in the Family program at the Hazelden Addictions Treatment Center …
In November 2006, I had LASIK eye surgery. You can read about my experience elsewhere on my blog. The post-LASIK surgery moments of amazement still continue! I am in Minnesota for advanced pastoral training in addictions counseling and spiritual care at Hazelden. It is just above zero degera now and snowing. I grew up in …
On Sunday, I left Los Angeles with its toasty 78 degree weather. When I awoke the following morning in St. Croix, Wisconsin (just over the Minnesota border), it was minus 19 degrees outside. Walking from the hotel to the waiting van, I thought my tuchis (rear end) would freeze off. Yet, after spending a few …
I am amazed, each time I meet with an interfaith family, that they need to ask (in round about ways) whether the warm welcome and full integration that we offer to all Or Ami congregants is available to interfaith families as well. No one comes out and asks it directly, but I find it to …
These days, I think alot about sin. I wonder, worry really, if most of us have sinned these past years as we neglected to notice – really notice – that war raged on in Iraq. Most of us sat back in our comfy chairs, sipping our lattes and driving our nice cars, while American men …
A picture from our archeological dig…I found a little piece of pottery! Later, on the Airplane… It is Sunday early morning. I am somewhere in the sky between Tel Aviv and Los Angeles International. The world flies by at some 504 miles per hour (according to the seatback trip update) as we sit cooped up …
My wife Michelle and I write: On Wednesday we visited the Underground Bullet factory at Machon Ayalon, which secretly manufactured bullets right under the noses of the British, in a factory placed underneath a kibbutz bakery and laundry room. On Friday, we visited the underground shelter of the Western Galilee Hospital in Nahariya. This multimillion …
I’m in heaven again as I watch the sun rise over the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). This beautifully blue body of water (famed of late as the setting for Jesus’ Gospel miracles: turning water into wine, walking on water, multiplying fish and bread into enough to feed hundreds) also has the distinction of being the …
I finally took a moment to read Haaretz, Israel’s daily paper. Seems that there is actually a world out there. I read about the earthquake in Asia and its effects on the world’s internet (not much said, surprisingly, about people who were harmed by the earthquake). I read about the snow in Jerusalem, and in …
