Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

In keeping with this week’s Torah portion I have been thinking about a recent experience Fay and I had visiting New York City.  We have family there: my youngest, one of Fay’s sisters, a niece, and a dear friend of mine since childhood and his wonderful wife.  As is the case with all of our visits, we tend to center our experience on art (yes, and the food which is always wonderful).

Isaac (that’s my youngest) works in...Read more...

This week we celebrate Purim. There has been a lot of back and forth in rabbinic chat rooms as to how we approach this holiday given our present-day contentious and polarizing climate. Should we be celebrating a victory over those who would destroy us (Haman) given our violent response as enumerated in chapter 9 of Megillat Esther - the Book of Esther?

I think there are two dynamics at play for this year’s Purim observance...Read more...

This week will be the final weekly Kol Ami newsletter with Deborah Hirsch as our editor. The newsletter has had an enormous impact on our Kol Ami community. It has kept us informed. Of greater importance, it has kept us connected as a Jewish community at a time when staying connected has become increasingly difficult.

For me, Deborah has been editor extraordinaire. Her patient and kind feedback — e.g., “Did you mean to...Read more...

Event of the week: So, the Chiefs lost, a team and a city bereft of hope.  

Yet, as I write this the day after the game, I observe something remarkable. Life goes on! To the credit of our loyal/rabid fanbase, no one really seems too upset. With hope in our hearts, we eagerly look forward to next season, or at least the hope that comes with Kansas City Royals' spring training. As for the Royals, I remember the end of the 2014...Read more...

In a week of chaos nationally and internationally, I have had congregants (and others outside of Congregation Kol Ami) reach out to me, fearful of what the future holds. There are two groups of people prominent amongst those who hold this place of fear. One is our queer/LGBTQ+ congregants, particularly trans congregants. The other group is the immigrant community with whom we are connected in our work with the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance...Read more...