Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

I usually try and stay understated about the flurry of events that transpire in any given week. My sense has been to give things time, to gain better perspective, to learn what is important and meaningful to us in the long run.

This past week, however, has been like no other, and I am compelled to respond sooner rather than later. The events not only hold meaning for us as Jews but demand vigilance and action.

I want...Read more...

Last Sunday at our December Family Experience, our co-leaders, Erica Clinton and Cheryl Gates, presented a program in which we learned the importance of action. We learn our Torah values in order to act, and to act for the good.

As a project, our kids and their families wanted to show their concern for our Kol Ami family, for our congregants who are struggling amidst the pandemic. We are all feeling a sense of isolation and...Read more...

Amid the challenges and darkness of a pandemic, and the ongoing threats to our democracy, we got a bit of welcome light this past week in our Congregation Kol Ami family. We held our annual Shabbat Chanukah service on Friday night, a tradition at Kol Ami since my first year serving the congregation in 2011. Both our family program and our service facilitated connection for our community — a much-needed time when we can’t see one another...Read more...

I got some much needed time away this week to celebrate Thanksgiving with some close family (read: family within our already existing safe bubble) down in northwest Arkansas.  Amongst our few activities venturing out was a visit to the contemporary museum of art in Bentonville, The Momentary.

We were witness to an incredible exhibit of art by Nick Cave, an artist who came out of the Kansas City Art Institute. The...Read more...

My seminary, the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR — the one in NYC, not LA), held its annual fall retreat last week. It is a time each year when classes are suspended for the week, and everyone at the seminary comes together to focus on one topic. Alumni are welcome and encouraged to participate, and do participate in significant numbers. This is a real tribute to how AJR graduates/alumni value the time we spent as students at the...Read more...