Rabbi Jacqueline Mates-Muchin: You Shall Have Joy
For Sukkot, we are commanded to be happy. Yet emotions can be difficult to command. What does the Torah mean when it commands us to be happy?
Rabbi Daniel Bouskila: “A Rosh Hashanah Like No Other: How Agnon Brings Us All Together in His “Days of Awe”
It was a Rosh Hashanah like no other. It was the Rosh Hashanah when I felt as if I held a “Book of Life” in my hands. On that day, for the very first time, I opened S.Y. Agnon’s beautiful High Holy Days book “Yamim Noraim — Days of Awe.”
Healthy Yom Kippur fasting
Cornell University has published tips for healthy Yom Kippur fasting. If you will be fasting for Yom Kippur, please follow the link below for tips:
Forgiveness: Mary Klaus
Mary Klaus writes that sincerely asking forgiveness is difficult for most: it is inherently humbling. You have to confront uncomfortable truths about yourself. It is also challenging is that you must prepare yourself to not be forgiven.
Nitzavim: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
Rabbi Sacks asks the question: Why Judaism? In Exodus, at Sinai, our forefathers said, “All that the Lord has spoken we shall do…”. Now, at the end of Moses’ life, he has to ensure that all future generations will also be bound by the covenant.
Lester-Wilson, Chaplain Randy (AJRCA 2022)
Education has been Randy’s “Happy Place”, both as a student and teacher. He received a BA in Sociology from the University of California, Riverside, a BS in Theology at Samaritan College, and an MA in Education, Special Education Option at California State University, San Bernardino.
Einhorn, Chaplain Ari (AJRCA 2022)
Ari Einhorn received her BA with honors with a double major in Philosophy and Relgious Studies from Flagler College in St/ Augustine, Florida. She also holds a graduate Certificate in Theological Studies from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Ari graduated Magna Cum Laude in 20013 with a Master of Library and Information Science from San Joe State University in San Jose, California.
Katz, Cantor Amy Robinson (AJRCA 2022)
Amy Robinson Katz began piano lessons at age five and continued through college where she studied under Lina Baranov, graduating magna cum laude from Biola University with a degree in Philosophy, and minors in Music and Biblical Studies.
Cooper, Cantor Kelly (AJRCA 2022)
Kelly Cooper received her Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Southern California. She began her career as a singer, performing leading roles in musical theater and opera productions in Los Angeles, New York, and on the High Seas. She also sang in the LA Opera chorus.
Morris-Kamil, Rabbi Michal (AJRCA 2022)
Michal, a proud Israeli, Irish, British Lepracohen, graduated with a BA in Education from Te Hergana Waka, Victoria University, New Zealand, and an MBA in International Education Leadership, with an emphasis in Jewish education, from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Recipient of the education programs worldwide.