When we first decided to come to Costa Rica on vacation, we did so for a number of reasons. We were told that we would be able to see the most amazing wildlife and breath-taking sights. We arrived here last week and everything has been exactly like we expected it to be. The monkeys swing out in full force every morning, and we can see them from our window, then we run into them again when we go to the beach later in the day. We have seen butterflies that seem to have been colored by the hand of God, the colors are not only vibrant but they are unlike any colors we have ever seen before! We were prepared for all of these, and we haven’t been disappointed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

As many of you know, the past two years have been a time of incredible spiritual growth for me. I had always wanted to better understand the specific area in Halacha (Jewish Law) that deals with the writing of Gittin (a Jewish writ of divorce), which is so complicated that one needs absolute expertise to be able to understand it. Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

It’s been a great summer so far! Well, its been a little while since I posted something on my blog. The last couple of weeks have come and gone like a whirlwind. Usually summertime is a very slow time when it comes to Temple Beth Sholom.

For the most part during the last 10 years, the summer was the time that I used to carefully meditate on the upcoming High Holy Days and to begin thinking about my sermons. This summer has been a very different one — wonderful but different! Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

This coming Sunday, July 6, 2008, The Summerlin Community Baptist Church is holding a “God Bless Israel Night.” It will be held at their church (find a map below) on 2100 Snow Trail (behind The Trails Shopping Center) at 6 PM. What exactly is it and why are they doing it? Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

More often than not, people ask me what my favorite websites are. I really have many websites that I go to constantly, but there are a few that I believe are true gems and everyone should visit them. I have decided to post one of my favorite websites each week on my blog. Since many of us spend more time online than we spend watching TV or reading the newspaper, I think it is important to access websites that will give something back to our Jewish Identity. Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

Aryeh Green is the director of Media Central, a Jerusalem center providing support services for journalists based in or visiting Israel and the region. Mr. Green has an extensive background in strategic communications in both the public and private sectors. He has been a senior advisor to Natan Sharansky, former Member of Knesset and Deputy Prime Minister, working to combat anti-Semitism and to promote democracy — as well as a high-tech executive and business consultant.

An Israeli for almost the past quarter-century, Mr. Green has been published in Haaretz, The Jerusalem Post, Israel21C, Washington Jewish Week, SF Northern California Jewish Bulletin, in Israel Insider, and most recently contributed a chapter in the book, “Academics Against Israel and the Jews” on the European university environment (Jerusalem, JCPA, 2007).

Share on Facebook

Parashat Korah is one of those key transitional places in The Torah. For many weeks, we have been reading about The Journey of The Children of Israel through the wilderness. We read about the glorious redemption from slavery in Egypt, about the power of God and the reluctant determination of Moses to lead the people.It is important to remember what a reluctant leader Moses always was. Our Sages have taught us that Moses was the most humble man ever to walk the earth; he didn’t want to be a leader but God and History had completely different plans for him. Moses was the one who considered himself an “Arel Sfatayim (someone with uncircumcised lips).” It took major convincing and arm twisting from God to send Moses on his way to help free our People from bondage. Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

Rabbis almost never find themselves at a loss for words. I must however confess that today I felt I had no words. Saying good-bye to a friend that for the past eight years has been so much more than just my colleague was one of the hardest things I have had to do in recent years. 

Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn and his family have moved to start a new Pulpit in Westport Connecticut. Jeremy truly is one of the best friends that I have ever had. When I left Mexico, I never imagined I was going to find such a good friend when I came to Las Vegas, and now as he begins a new part of his journey as a Rabbi. I have no other words for him but — Thank You! Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

For some reason I feel compelled to write a note about a movie I just watched. I must admit that even though my major in college was in journalism and communications, I am not much of a movie critic. I like all sorts of movies. Without a doubt, my favorite kind is shoot-‘em-up movies and the occasional well done comedy. 

Why do I like action films? Why do I love comedies? Well for one, I see enough drama in my everyday life that when I go to the movies, I just want to sit back, relax and enjoy. 

I just came back from watching “You don’t Mess With The Zohan.” I am still trying to figure out what I think. Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook

During our Kabbalat Shabbat at 7:30 PM this evening, we will have the opportunity to listen to a wonderful speaker with a unique message. Randy Neal is the Western Regional Coordinator for Christians United For Israel (CUFI), a national coalition of pro-Israel churches, ministers, Para-church organizations and individuals that serves to mobilize and equip Christians to tangibly stand with Israel. Read the rest of this entry »

Share on Facebook