Planning a b’nai mitzvah is stressful enough if you had one yourself, but if you weren’t raised Jewish it can be truly nerve wracking. There are the questions of how the study process works, timing, sessions, amount to be learned, how to help your child succeed. Then there’s the non-Jewish partner and extended family. How…
Read More »Synagogues
Ain’t We Got Fun!
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 »Are Our Children Jewish?
Patralineal Descent, Reform Judaism & Those Other Jews In 1983 the Reform movement officially recognized children of Jewish fathers as Jewish. But if you read the statement it says that every child of a mixed marriage, whether the mother or father is Jewish, must establish their identity as a Jew “through appropriate and timely public…
Read More »Please calm down
The J-Weekly ran an article, The State of Our Shuls, that I found inflammatory. It pushed lots of the usual fear buttons. I’m against fear so I wrote a reply.
Read More »Oh Summer!
I am like a kid out of school for the summer – I don’t want to sit quietly at my computer and compose a message to all of you. I want to be outdoors with the bees, chattering birds, my dog and my kids. I am betting you feel the same. Summer is a good…
Read More »Kid Friendly Shabbat Service! Rock ‘n Roll Shabbat!
Shul shopping? Take in a wild and crazy evening at Temple Beth Abraham. Rock ‘n Roll Shabbat Here it comes again! Rock ‘n Roll Shabbat with Rabbi Bloom and the band! Be ready for lots of singing, high volume, kids running around and plenty of ruach (spirit)! Sign up (by Sept. 4) for the family…
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