Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

During this past week, the 50th anniversary of my bar mitzvah occurred (you are welcome to do the math on your own). While I always reflect on my bar mitzvah each year when my Torah portion arrives on the Jewish calendar, I had not really thought about it in terms of 50 years. It was actually a friend from childhood, who celebrated his bar mitzvah one week prior to my own, who reminded me that our bar mitzvah celebrations had turned...Read more...

During this month, Black History Month, my thoughts go back to my days as the director of the Kansas City Jazz Commission. Jazz is a Black art form. It was and is a vital means of expression for Black voices, overcoming the efforts over many years to suppress those Black voices. Where Black voices flourish, real progress is made.

In the work to end racism, much of the discussion from the white community wanting to be involved centers...Read more...

For many, the past week brought a sense of relief. The oft-asked question was whether we should feel relief, whether we should feel some amount of joy and celebrate the Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. After all, whatever amount of stress and uncertainty has been alleviated, we still have a plethora of problems, problems that existed before 2016 and will not go away overnight.

I have always...Read more...

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...