One of the best things about belonging to a community is that there are other people to create fun activities FOR you and to support the ones you create. A friend of mine is entranced with the music of Tin Pan Alley. He has become quite the expert on the musicians, politics and social upheaval…
Read More »A meaningful life
Jewish Resolutions for the Secular New Year
A lot of folks will be making resolutions over the next few days. Why not make a Jewish resolution for the year 2015? Here are some ideas. 1. Increase your Jewish knowledge. The best way to feel confident is to know what you’re doing. Don’t suffer with a feeling of ignorance, learn. Take a class,…
Read More »Halloween with a Jewish Twist
Halloween is the second biggest holiday in America according to KCBS News. Did you know that? I sure didn’t. Yes, I’ve noticed that Halloween has become dramatically more marketable than it was when I was a kid, or even when my own kids were little. Costumes are no longer homemade – with the hobo costume,…
Read More »Selichot – a peaceful opening to the High Holidays
As we move closer to the High Holidays in the shadow of 9/11 it is a good time to think about Selichot. To quote Rabbi Mark Bloom of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland, “Selichot, the penitential service which occurs on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashana.” Selichot is a time to reflection on who we…
Read More »Talking About Israel with Honestly, Pain & Caring
On August 13th and August 23rd, Josh Kornbluth and Rabbi Menachem Creditor engaged in a public conversation about Israel, Zionism, Judaism, Peace, and American Jewish activism. Overwhelmed by Argument with Josh Kornbluth and Rabbi Menachem Creditor The description of and rules for the conversation are below. It was an intense conversation between two loving friends…
Read More »Teens found, dead
Perhaps you have been following the kidnapping of 3 boys in Israel. One was age 19 and the other two were only 16. There was steely hope that some terrorist group would claim responsibility and demand money or the release of some of their jailed compatriots. But unfortunately it was not to be and their…
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