Archive for September, 2009

Hello readers…this is one in which I'm really interested in hearing your comments. Religion Clause reports that the Illinois Supreme Court upheld a clause in someone's will that an inheritance would go to those of his grandchildren that "married within the Jewish faith."  Four of his five grandchildren married Gentiles, and got nothing.  One...
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Last year 220,000 people watched Rabbi Naomi Levy lead her congregation Nashuva's Kol Nidre service.  No, they did not expand the size of the Hollywood Bowl.  The service was broadcast live online by the Jewish Television Network.  JTN will be broadcasting the service again this year, and think they may get even more viewers.  You...
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   One of my teachers, Rabbi Alan Lew, passed away in January.  As I was re-reading his awesome book about the transformative power of the High Holidays, "This Is Real And You Are Completely Unprepared" I was reminded of how much I miss him, and how much the world has lost with his passing. I don't...
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Today is "Tzom Gedaliah," the fast of Gedaliah.  Who was Gedaliah, and why should we fast for him? Gedaliah was the Jewish governor of Israel in the sixth century BCE, the period immediately following Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon's conquering of Israel (and the destruction of the Temple the first time).  Jewish zealots, encouraged by the...
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Rosh Hashanah starts tomorrow night. And I'm not ready. I'm not talking about cooking — I won't get anywhere near a stove before the holiday starts, as I'm currently in the States on business and don't get back until hours before Rosh Hashanah starts. I'm talking about my soul.  Elul is the time for...
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This article is dedicated to the memory of my step brother, Carson Holder, z"l. A few months ago, I received the sad news that my step brother Carson died. Carson was a few years older than me.  I got to know Carson pretty well in the early 1980s when he came up from Southern...
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