Va’Yeilekh: God’s final command to Moses, as conveyed in this week’s parashah, is “Write a [farewell] song to the people” (Deuteronomy 31:19). Songs are poems put to music. They have added power because music evokes and amplifies emotion. It also allows us to memorize. Hence, we learn the a,b,c’s and the aleph bet with a melody. Likewise, the power of Kol Nidre, which we…
An egalitarian Conservative congregation serving the diverse Orange County Jewish Community
An egalitarian Conservative congregation serving the diverse Orange County Jewish Community
Posts by cbi18 (Page 12)
L’shanah tovah u’metukah– May you be blessed with a good and sweet new year! The rabbis explain that what is good may emerge from struggle and even pain. In looking forward we pray that the new year will allow that goodness to emerge from ease and joy. From my family and me to you: Blessings…
L’shanah tovah u’metukah– May you be blessed with a good and sweet new year! The rabbis explain that what is good may emerge from struggle and even pain. In looking forward we pray that the new year will allow that goodness to emerge from ease and joy. From my family and me to you: Blessings of a 5777 of health, abundant harvest,…
We’ve been busy preparing for the High Holy Days and are very excited about our services this year. Our musical HAL’LU Selichot service this past Saturday night, inspired and coordinated by Amy Robinson Katz, with musicians Carl Cedar, Leeav Sofer and our Hal’lu singing team, was beautiful and soulful. Below is information about our High…
An Israel Travel Adventure: Touching the Spirit & Soul of Israel, 2.0 October 15 – 27, 2017 Sponsored by: Community Scholar Program, Congregation B’nai Israel & Temple Beth El of South Orange County Itinerary crafted by Arie Katz, Rabbi Elie Spitz and Rabbi Kvod Wieder Travel company – Makor Educational Journey – http://www.makorjourneys.com/about Sign up…
Ki Tavo: “And it shall be that when you come into the land which the Ever-Present-One your God is giving you as a heritage and you possess and settle in it, you shall take some of the first fruit…” In the Torah, that act of gratitude is coupled with specific words for the pilgrim, words that we echo in the telling of…
Dear Friends, CBI was at its best this past Sunday night, enabling an illuminating and at times heated conversation between two leading Jewish thinkers on the nature of Zionism and Jewish belonging. As you will see from selected emails below, the audience ranged in its political orientation and yet, consistently expressed gratitude for the level…
The Debate Sunday night CBI was fortunate to be able to host a remarkable debate on American Jews and Israel between Dr. Daniel Gordis and Peter Beinart, moderated by Rabbi Elie Spitz. The near-capacity crowd heard our speakers’ differing views on why young American Jews are less connected to Israel and what we should do…
Shof’tim: “And judges and police you shall place in your gates,” so our parashah begins. But why? Evolutionary psychology explains that we are bred for altruism to enable survival as a group and yet simultaneously, we have a strong impulse to put our own needs first. Sadly, exaggerated fears, greed, and selfishness create disorder and suffering. Rabbi Hananiah, the Deputy High Priest of first century…
Eikev: I feel sad for Ryan Lochte. He achieved so much as an Olympic swimmer. One lie and he lost his endorsements; one act of misbehavior and the rewards of years of focused effort were forfeited. Our parashah this week, Eikev, begins with the word “if”, which is repeated including the paragraph that will find a place in the Shema: If you follow my commandments…