Speaking on Panel at Temple Beth David about Denominations
Yesterday, I had the honor of speaking on a panel about Jewish denominations at Temple Beth David in Westminster, sponsored by the Jack Broscow Brotherhood. I was one of three rabbi panelists, alongside Rabbi Joel Berman of Temple Beth Emet of Anaheim, representing Conservative Judaism, and Rabbi Nancy Myers ofContinue Reading
Highlights from Rabbis Without Borders Third Annual Alumni Retreat as Seen on Twitter
A couple of weeks ago, the third annual Rabbis Without Borders Retreat took place at the Pearlstone Conference and Retreat Center, which was great, except that I did not attend this year. While I did attend last year (and I realized I have not yet written about it online –Continue Reading
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