An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
July 22, 2015 By bethmordecai no comments.
(7/22/15), In one of my recent journal entries, I described how some of the latest political issues, most notably the Iranian deal, are poised to pull the Jewish community apart. Likewise, worsening affiliation rates, merging institutions, and less activism make us wonder at times what the future of the American Jewish community will look like. Well, if it's anything like these past weeks, I can say that future is very bright. Whether it's young Jews gathering to spend quality time together and being engaged in meaningful Jewish life, or dancing and singing Jewish liturgy in full public view, or the ability to have difficult convesrations of important topics with Jews from multiple communities, there is[...]
Category : Ari-archive Tag : ask the rabbi bright future Iran Deal joy rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat by the sea tisha b'av YJPA
March 25, 2015 By bethmordecai no comments.
אלו דברים שאדם אוכל פירותיהן בעולם הזה והקרן קיימת לו לעולם הבא: כיבוד אב ואם, וגמילות חסדים, והבאת שלום בין אדם לחברו. ותלמוד תורה כנגד כולם (משנה פאה א:א) These are the fruits a person eats from in this world which will carry over to the next world: honoring your father and mother, doing acts of kindness, and making peace between your fellow man. But the study of Torah is greater than them all (Mishnah Peah 1:1) Dear Hevreh, Today was a day of Torah learning. Not the kind you just get in a book, but the unique kind you get through conversations and the sharing of knowledge among friends. Just check out the Facebook updates on #LearnWithTheRabbi and[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tag : ask the rabbi Learn with the Rabbi Mishnah Peah 1:1 rabbi rabbi's journal Talmud Torah torah unique torah משנה פאה א:א תלמוד תורה כנגד כולם
February 11, 2015 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh, Casual... If I had to use one word to describe the reason behind why I host Learning with the Rabbi and Ask the Rabbi at Panera and the Mall (respectively), it would be "casual." By "casual" I mean creating a space and an opportunity that lends itself to open dialogue without judgement or fear of needing to put on a show. No one can deny that sitting down for a cup of coffee in a booth feels different than sitting across a desk in the rabbi's office. We are more likely to be honest and open with ourselves (and with the person sitting across from us) when we don't feel like we need to act in a certain way. If[...]
Category : Adult Education Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tag : Abortion ask the rabbi Casual Jewish Mall Questions Serious views
June 18, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh, Last week I was sitting at a table in the Menlo Park Mall for my weekly open "Ask the Rabbi" when I received a phone call from John*, a local resident who has come to me in the past for help with homelessness. Here is a not-so-exact version of our conversation: Me: "Hi, John" John: "Rabbi, are you at the mall?" Me (a little surprised): "Um, yea." John: "In the food court?" Me: "Yes" John: "Where? I don't see you?" Me (turning around and seeing him): "Look behind you." It turns out that John and some of his friends his saw the advertisement for "Ask the Rabbi" in the local paper and thought that instead of only coming to my door to ask for help in a crisis,[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tag : ask the rabbi homelessness maimonides rabbi rabbi's journal stories tz'dakah tzedakah צדקה
May 13, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Cliffnotes: Join me for a special Ask the Rabbi at 12 pm on Thursday at the food court of Menlo Park Mall to discuss JStreet Dear Hevreh, I try as best as I can to schedule my day according to the different roles I want to play in life, including community builder, spiritual leader, father, husband, pastor, and some others. Though following a schedule based on these roles is often aspirational, it helps me remember my own personal mission and the goals and the values that are most important to that mission. One of these roles is to be "an American," which means I try to spend time working on projects that connect my own mission to the values of pursuing freedom[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tag : america ask the rabbi conference of presidents of american jewish organizations israel j-street jstreet rabbi rabbi's journal