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Sheheheyanu Moment Rabbi Cassi Kail rabbikail@bethelsp.org I am writing this article amidst a sea of boxes, as my family prepares to move from New York to Southern California. My eight-year-old, Noam, is most excited to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. My six-year-old, Talia, is excited to live near the Pacific […]
It Has Been a Privilege Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Our year has wound its way from last July to this June, and we have seen TBE through its initial rabbinic transitions, and so much more. It is nearly time for my farewell, and for TBE to undertake its next rabbinic transition. As such… On behalf […]
Commitment of Our Students Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Confirmation will be marked late in this springtime month of May, and it is a time of recognizing and celebrating notable devotion and achievement. Not only will three wonderful students—Hannah Brooks, Jordan Davidson and Emmet Paul—lead our worship, teach Torah, and take their places beside those of previous […]
Dearest Temple Beth El members and Friends, Again, a Shabbat morning was violated by gunshots at a synagogue service. Our sense of security – sureness in the haven of a Sanctuary where the Ner Tamid glows and the Holy Ark presides – has been pierced by bullets, and the ground of American religious safety and freedom […]
Freedom Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Dear Friends, I remember seeing a cartoon in a paper many years ago at around Passover time, which depicted a woman, likely a housewife, slaving over a tall sink of dishes, with a tired, forlorn look on her face. The caption read, “And they call this the festival of freedom?” […]
Anticipation of Spring Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Dear Friends, It is March, which means that we are on the cusp of springtime. And, we have had a long, wet, windy winter—which may be great for our water table and snow pack—but we are ready for our patent sunshine and beautiful, crisp days, again. In the […]
Washington, Lincoln, & Moses Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Dear Friends, To me, Presidents’ Day—our national holiday which falls this month—is a fascinating day. And, it has a little concern… I remember when, as a child, we marked Washington’s Birthday on February 22, and Lincoln’s birthday on February 12. And, I recall the shift to celebrating […]
Obligation to History Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Wow! January 2019. It is the last year of the young century’s second decade, as we are still commencing the earliest epoch of the third millennium of the Common Era. What a time to be alive! In earlier ages at a time such as this, in the year […]
What Can We Expect? Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Dear Friends, We have moved from the Fall season of Jewish festivals and Holy Days to the Fall season of secular festivals and Holy Days. But, more importantly, we have moved into the middle of this year of change, review and transition at Temple Beth El. When […]
Reflecting on Our Future Rabbi Douglas Kohn rabbikohn@bethelsp.org Dear Friends, Our year is moving along. It is October, we are reading Genesis, Torah School has been in session for a few weeks, we had an inspiring High Holy Day season, and there is much that we are learning about Temple Beth El. Here are a […]
