Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School Holds Dinner in Los Angeles in Honor of Alumnus of Year
Three months ago, I attended the West Coast Dinner held by my alma mater, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (YCT), in honor of its alumnus of the year, Rabbi [name redacted by request] (YCT ’06). Although I was super happy to attend, merely by din of YCT having an event on theContinue Reading
Speaking at Moishe House of Orange County Last Night
Last night, I took part in a “Rabbi Battle” at Moishe House of Orange County. In truth, it was less of a “battle” than a panel, of sorts (perhaps, a mini-panel, you might say), with the residents hurling a variety of questions at us that they had previously gathered fromContinue Reading
“Gin & Genocide”
Last night, a fundraising event for SoCalJSS/SoCalJYAE was held in Long Beach. Entitled “Gin & Genocide” was the third of this year’s series of texts and tippling. Featuring a discussion on genocide in the Jewish tradition, considering Amalek, Midian, and the seven Canaanite nations, Rabbi Drew steered the conversation eventuallyContinue Reading
Taking Part in the Jewlicious Festival for the Fifth Time
In just five weeks, the tenth annual Jewlicious Festival will be taking place and I have the honor of being involved in promoting it as well as speaking at it. This upcoming Jewlicious Festival will be my fifth Jewlicious Festival with which I have been involved, meaning that I willContinue Reading
WHO 2013
A month ago, I not only had the pleasure of attending a conference for Hillel professionals on the west coast, I also co-chaired it! Taking place December 16-18, it was a good mid-year opportunity to reconvene with fellow Hillel professionals! Every year that I’ve been serving as the rabbi forContinue Reading
“Scotches & Separation” Explores Divorce in the Jewish Tradition
On Sunday, I led a Scotch-tasting and learning event for adults. This was the second in a 2013-2014 series that combines a spirits-tasting, in-depth exploration of a topic in Jewish tradition and an opportunity for people to give tzedakah to the Jewish enrichment endeavors for young adult Jews with whichContinue Reading
50 Months of Working Here in SoCal!
Fifty months ago today, my wife and I began working here in sunny Southern California! Having arrived the night of November 8, 2009, we then began working the very next day on November 9th. So, that means 4 years and 2 months ago, we began and we have made itContinue Reading
Classes with Hillels this Fall
This fall, I had the pleasure of leading four different discussions with a few Hillels on various topics. The first was in October at a Starbucks in Oceanside with North County, San Diego Hillel, leading a discussion with MiraCosta College students on the topic of Relationships, where we explored textsContinue Reading
Sad About Hillel Institute Moving
Ever since Rachel and I came out to begin working with Long Beach Hillel, we have enjoyed attending the annual national Hillel staff conference in St. Louis at Washington University. Entitled “Hillel Institute” and organized by Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the conference, which took place at theContinue Reading
On Not Worrying About Decreasing Synagogue Membership in America
A couple of months ago, I attended an OCCSP lecture in Irvine by Dr. Ron Wolfson, essentially advertising his new book, Relational Judaism. It was an interesting talk – he definitely did a great job highlighting problematic issues that are in Jewish life, focussing on issues synagogues have been havingContinue Reading