Sign In Forgot Password

Rabbi’s Corner: Our New Mi Sheberach: A Salve For Our Weary Hearts and Souls

09/06/2024 11:31:35 AM

Sep6

September 6, 2024

This past week, Jews gathered together in our communities all over the world in support, solidarity, and grief to mourn theRead more...

SPECIAL EDITION: Rabbi’s Corner: Community Vigil, Wednesday, September 4th, Merage JCC

09/03/2024 12:22:55 PM

Sep3

September 3, 2024

Dear Friends,

Our hearts are broken as we come to grips with the news of the murder of six newly slain hostages in Gaza. Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Driving Down the Freeway: A Metaphor for Elul

08/30/2024 10:26:10 AM

Aug30

August 30, 2024


There is a freeway exit onto the 55 that gives me terrible agita whenever I approach: it’s a far-left exit that I have to Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: This Summer's Political National Conventions: A Jewish View

08/23/2024 10:25:50 AM

Aug23

August 23, 2024

Two nights ago, I was moved to tears as I listened to Jon Polin and Rachel Goldberg give an emotional speech at the DemocratiRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Tarnished Faith - Faith Restored

08/16/2024 10:03:05 AM

Aug16

August 16, 2024


Over the years, I have made a personal practice of using meditation and mindfulness in my daily life. It helps keep me centeRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Lessons for Challenging Times from a Hiking Trip

08/09/2024 10:00:55 AM

Aug9

August 9, 2024

An Inukshuk in the District of Lunenbur, Nova Scotia. Photo: SLSobel

I just returned from a marvelous hiking/walking vacatioRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Lessons from the Olympics

08/02/2024 10:00:35 AM

Aug2

August 2, 2024

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris officially started one week ago today (July 26th), although a few team sports began on July Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Lamentation for a Beloved Land

07/26/2024 10:00:40 AM

Jul26

July 26, 2024

As we are all aware, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of US Congress this past Wednesday, hRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Harmonies of Hope

07/19/2024 10:06:15 AM

Jul19

July 19, 2024

This past week, many of us were captivated by a profoundly moving performance on "America's Got Talent." The Jerusalem Youth ChRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Water and Torah Bring Life

07/12/2024 10:26:39 AM

Jul12

July 12, 2024

Photo by SLSobel
I am a CASA, a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for Youth in Dependency (as are six additionalRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: With Liberty and Justice For All: American and Jewish Values

07/05/2024 10:11:55 AM

Jul5

July 5, 2024



In the sanctuaries of many synagogues in the United States, there is both an American flag and an Israeli flag. On our TempRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Why Celebrating Pride Shabbat is Important for the Jewish Community

06/28/2024 10:01:15 AM

Jun28

June 28, 2024

​​​​​​​Rainbow challah baked by Mitch Cohen

June is Pride Month around the world: from Israel to Africa, Asia toRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Can You Toot Your Own Horn?

06/21/2024 10:22:15 AM

Jun21

June 21, 2024


Would you like to join our "Shofar Chorus" this year during the High Holy Days?

In ancient times, Jews heard the sound of theRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Alaynu - It's Dependent on Us, Kulanu - All of Us

06/14/2024 12:53:50 PM

Jun14

June 14, 2024


One of the final prayers of the service is “Alaynu.” The word “alaynu” literally means “it’s on us” or “it depRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Counting As a Spiritual Practice

06/07/2024 01:49:05 PM

Jun7

June 7, 2024



Shavuot begins in four days - on Tuesday evening. We begin the process of counting up to Shavuot from the evening of the seconRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazek - Be Strong, Hold Fast, Let Us Strengthen One Another

05/31/2024 11:58:15 AM

May31

May 31, 2024


“Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek – Be strong, hold fast, and let us strengthen one another.”
 
This meaningful Hebrew phraRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: A Jewish Perspective on Memorial Day

05/24/2024 09:19:19 AM

May24

May 24, 2024



​​​​​​​This Shabbat begins our Memorial Day weekend, the time when we commemorate and remember those who died seRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Lighting the Flames of Hope, Unity, and Strength

05/17/2024 10:00:44 AM

May17

May 17, 2024



On Shabbat, we typically light two candles.

Why? Because in the Torah the Ten Commandments are repeated twice, the first timRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Our Youth Shall See Visions

05/10/2024 10:20:52 AM

May10

May 10, 2024



This week, we are celebrating our youth.
 
This past Sunday, we launched our Junior Youth Group (JYG) for our rising 5th – Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Hope and Gratitude

05/03/2024 11:02:59 AM

May3

May 3, 2024



This Monday evening begins Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. The ugliness of the antisemitism that permeated those dark, Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Standing Up to the Crisis on Campus

04/26/2024 11:30:33 AM

Apr26

April 26, 2024




Photo from Chapman University, Orange, CA (taken by Rabbi Cassi Kail, 4/24/24)

My niece Ashe begins university this falRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Open Doors, Open Hearts: A Special Passover Message and Seder Resources

04/19/2024 10:18:15 AM

Apr19

April 19, 2024




Each year we begin our Passover seder with an ancient Aramaic entreaty, Ha Lachma Anya as we break one of the three rituRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Open Doors, Open Hearts: A Special Passover Message and Seder Resources

04/19/2024 10:18:09 AM

Apr19

April 19, 2024




Each year we begin our Passover seder with an ancient Aramaic entreaty, Ha Lachma Anya as we break one of the three rituRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Open Doors, Open Hearts: A Special Passover Message and Seder Resources

04/19/2024 10:01:14 AM

Apr19

April 19, 2024




Each year we begin our Passover seder with an ancient Aramaic entreaty, Ha Lachma Anya as we break one of the three rituRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Embracing the Sacredness of this Space - Brotherhood Shabbat

04/12/2024 10:13:15 AM

Apr12

April 12, 2024




We live in a post-feminist world. For liberal Jews, there is no distinction between the roles of men and women since womRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Vayidom Aharon, And Aaron Was Silent/And Aaron Bled

04/05/2024 10:01:16 AM

Apr5

April 5, 2024




Six months. 180 days. Thousands murdered. Hostages still missing, captive in Gaza where they are being held by Hamas afteRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Light, Joy, Spike Kraus, & Mitzvah Day

03/29/2024 10:01:10 AM

Mar29

March 29, 2024




I am still smiling as I reflect on the fun-filled, joyous, uplifting “Purim Goes Pink” celebratory weekend this pastRead more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Leviticus, Sacrifice, Purim, and Fun - More in Common than Meets the Eye

03/22/2024 10:01:45 AM

Mar22

March 22, 2024




What do Purim and the biblical book of Leviticus share in common, (besides the fact that they take place this Shabbat?) Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Joy as an Antidote to Fear

03/15/2024 10:00:24 AM

Mar15

March 15, 2024




I do not cry often. 

This week, I found myself suddenly overcome by all the emotions of everything I have experienced Read more...

Rabbi’s Corner: Why This International Women's Day is Especially Significant

03/08/2024 10:01:52 AM

Mar8

March 8, 2024




Today we observe “International Women’s Day (IWD).” International Women's Day is celebrated annually on March 8th aRead more...
Fri, September 13 2024 10 Elul 5784