Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

I had the opportunity to attend (and, as it turned out, speak at) a rally in support of Black employees at the Veterans Administration Hospital here in Kansas City. This was a midday rally, nowhere near the Plaza, and thus not as well attended as the many rallies in support of Black Lives Matter at Mill Creek Park on the Plaza.

Yet, it held great meaning and purpose. A widespread arousal of righteous outrage has...Read more...

I faced a health challenge this past week. It was in no way life-threatening, thank G-d. But the kidney stone (I am up to around 10, my first occurring in my late 20s) caused excruciating pain when it first came on, and for the next four days caused enough pain to justify taking some fairly strong pain medication.

I don’t mention this to garner sympathy. I am no longer feeling any discomfort, although, as far as...Read more...

I had hoped this week to give a more lighthearted look at our own Jewish community via the ongoing discussion within our Kol Ami family on the book and series Unorthodox. Instead, the tragic killing of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer has occupied most of my time this past week and compels a response.

First, foremost and unfortunately, this is not a new or even unusual occurrence. We now...Read more...

On Monday morning, NPR’s Morning Edition ran a heartwarming story. Israel, as a means of quarantining, has opened up “coronavirus hotels.” Most of these hotels have essentially been divided by like people — i.e., ultra-Orthodox Jews with other ultra-Orthodox Jews.  

However, early on, one of these coronavirus hotels was filled by a much more diverse group.  Ultra-Orthodox Jews, along with...Read more...

This is my first post in this new blog for our Congregation Kol Ami-KC newsletter.  While there comes with this blog an expectation that there will be a strong emphasis on the social-justice pursuits of Kol Ami (and this rabbi), I see it as an opportunity to reflect on how we come together as a unique Jewish community — one of compassion and care, one of meaning and purpose.

I do want to talk about our...Read more...