The Rabbi on the Beach at the Shul on The Beach
This post has been cross-posted to DovBear. For more discussion, click here.
Rabbi Steven Pruzansky is making headlines with his front page Jewish Press article in which he thoroughly disposes of Orthopraxy and ousts the Orthoprax from Modern Orthodoxy.
For a thorough fisking of the main parts of the article go to XGH’s blog, this is his area of expertise.
What Rabbi Pruzansky’s article made me ponder is the relevance of Orthopraxy to the average Frum Jew. Continue reading →
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
As we conclude sefer Shmos we are provided with a full accounting of the donations to the Mishkan. Moshe Rabbeinu answers the call of his critics who wondered whether or not he was truly an honest leader. A full accounting is provided. It is interesting to note that Moshe Rabbeinu’s din v’cheshbon vis-a-vis the funds contributed to the Mishkan provide the backdrop of the actual hakomas hamishkan for the very first time. We are being taught that in order for the Mishkan to be a repository for the Shechina, we must be willing to accept accountability. Chazal, however, draw another wonderful yesod from this context. Continue reading →
Yesterday I wrote about a great film in Simple Justice | The Story of Brown v. Board of Education: The End of Separate But Equal in Schools. Civil Rights made tremendous strides in the wake of Brown. It was a tumultuous time and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the way to racial equality.
Today, we have a president that represents the progress on behalf of all minorities. What was unthinkable a generation ago, is the reality of our world. Imagine a 70 year old black man from the deep south who remembers attending a segregated school and looks in the newspaper in 2010 and sees someone who would have been institutionally discriminated against as the leader of the free world. What a feeling that must be…
But along with the good, comes some bad. In the last few weeks I have seen some examples of Reverse Discrimination as well as oversensitivity. Continue reading →
Last week I spoke at Pepperdine University about Jewish Lessons in Parenting. I began my talk by complimenting my parents and expressing my desire to emulate their parenting in the raising of my own children. One such example occurred today.
At Law School we are reading some of the most well-known Supreme Court Cases. A few weeks ago we read Roe v. Wade (banning 1st term abortion is unconstitutional) and the even more important Casey v. Planned Parenthood (upheld Roe) cases. Last week we read Plessy v. Ferguson (after Civil War, Separate but Equal schools were ruled constitutional).
This week we are reading Brown v. Board of Education. This case overruled Plessy and made Separate but Equal unconstitutional in Public Schools. Continue reading →
I am not a “Picture of the Day”, kind of blogger. But sometimes, something is too good not to share.
This picture from the NY Times made me chuckle.
In the USA, we are very proud of our “Secret Ballot“. Every voter is ensured that their vote is private. No one has the right to force a voter to disclose the voter’s choice.
Recently Iraq held a democratic election, complete with a secret ballot. The two voters below are participating in the “Super Secret Ballot”. Continue reading →
Wow.
You must see this video on vimeo.
It is a breathtakingly beautiful time-lapse taken in Hawaii. You can literally feel the earth spinning on its axis as night passes into day.
I love good videos and this is one of my all time favorites. The action is stunning and the music is perfect.
Kudos to Charles on Vimeo for taking, editing and producing this gorgeous display of our world’s beauty.
HT: Gawker TV via Guy Kawasaki Continue reading →
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
We find in Parshas Ki Seesa the catastrophic sin of the eigel hazahav, which tragically placed Klal Yisrael at the precipice of destruction. Moshe Rabbeinu beseeches Hakadosh Baruch Hu on our behalf. He successfully assuages Hashem Yisborach’s anger and by doing so insured our survival to this very day. Realizing that He was privileged to experiencing an obvious eis ratzon, Moshe is emboldened to ask for a keener understanding of Hashem Yisborach. Continue reading →
On Sunday I was privileged to take part in A Night for the Family at Pepperdine University. See my previous posts about the overall event by clicking My Appearance At “A Night For The Family” at Pepperdine University and listen to my speech by clicking Jewish Lessons in Parenting.
The main event was a presentation called Time With Corrie ten Boom. Prior to my invitation to the event I had never heard of Corrie ten Boom and now that I have seen the presentation I am shocked that the story is not more well known. I believe everyone should know who Corrie was and hear and see her story in the dramatic way I saw it. Continue reading →
Last night I was invited to be a part of A Night for the Family at Pepperdine University. It was a memorable evening in more ways than one. (Read about it here: A Night for Family.)
I was asked to speak before a crowd that had just enjoyed seeing the life of Corrie ten Boom performed.
One message of that story is that is good, moral decisions do not happen in a vacuum. Children learn from their parents.
But how are we to instill the lessons we want our children to learn?
I was supposed to try and answer that question in 20 minutes.
Decide for yourself if I was mildly successful…
Wow. Dinner with Pat and Shirley Boone, the story of Corrie ten Boom and Rabbi Eliyahu Fink (me) addressing the attendees. Which one of these things doesn’t belong? Right. That would be me.
So how did I end up at this event and how was it?
A member of our shul, Gary Dalin, met Dr. Ken Canfield, President of the Boone Center for the Family at Pepperdine a little while back. Dr. Canfield wanted someone to present a traditional Jewish approach to parenting and imparting morals from one generation to the next. Gary was supposed to do it, and he would have done marvelously. Unfortunately, Gary underwent a complex (and successful) surgery and was forced to cancel his appearance. I spoke in his stead. Continue reading →
The Shul on the Beach Purim 2010
This Purim, The Shul On The Beach opened its doors to the entire Venice / Santa Monica community to join in a Purim Celebration. An excellent turnout from our members, friends and neighbors set the stage for a truly memorable afternoon.
Mr. and Mrs. Beithalachmi prepared a wonderful Purim feast that was partially sponsored by Yossi and Joannie Ziff on the occasion of their second anniversary. As always, Jeff Liss planned an excellent party, including first class entertainment (see the previous post), refreshments and a costume contest. Most importantly, our community really stepped up to the plate in terms of hospitality, friendliness and warmth. Led, once again, by Rabbi Mintz, many, many guests were ushered into the Shul. Continue reading →
Today, Pacific Jewish Center hosted a memorable Purim Celebration at the Shul on the Beach.
Well over 200 people attended, ranging from ultra-religious Jews, to unaffiliated Jews, Christians and non-Jews. It was really a great success. Fuller recap with photos here.
In the meantime, here is a taste of a our incredible performer, Alula.
You can learn more about Alula by clicking here and help support his music.
Alula is an Ethiopian Jew who loves to sing Jewish songs. And he did so, wonderfully.
Please check out this clip of his performance in our Shul this Purim. Continue reading →
Join Pacific Jewish Center and the entire Venice / Santa Monica Jewish community for a Purim Celebration at the Shul on the Beach.
There will be entertainment as well as refreshments. You can meet your neighbors and taste a Purim Experience at our historic Shul.
Please join us!
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
The Mizbeach Hazahav is mentioned in this week’s parsha as the final utensil Hashem Yisborach instructed Klal Yisrael to fashion for the Mishkan. Upon it, B’nai Yisrael offered the Ketores, the fragrant incense offering. Seemingly, the Mizbeach should have been sequenced along with the other keilim in Parshas Trumah. With its, zer zahav, golden crown, corresponding to the kesser kehuna, it naturally belongs together with the Aron and the Shulchan. Chazal wonder why this tzivui is saved for last. What lesson are we being taught? Continue reading →
I am sure you have already heard the news. If you have not, here goes.
Today, a killer whale named Tilikum at Sea World Orlando killed a trainer. Yes. A whale. An animal that has no instinct to kill a human, killed a human, IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE! That was certainly more than the spectators bargained for…
You can read all about it all over the place, Continue reading →
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Terumah is filled with the beauty and grandeur of the mishkan v’keilav. The home for the Shechina was to be built of the finest materials in a precise manner outlined by the prasha. The detail of its construction is not simply a description of early Israelite architecture. Continue reading →
Wow.
Heshy Fried aka Frum Satire performed in front of a very diverse crowd of ~60 at the Pacific Jewish Center at the Shul on the Beach on Sunday February 14 2010 and it was incredible.
Heshy ranted for over an hour and the audience was captivated. He could have gone on for another hour and had everyone laughing all the way through.
I introduced Heshy and the show with an important message. Continue reading →
The Shul on the Beach
Yesterday was a great day for Pacific Jewish Center and our community.
A little while back, we decided that it would a lot of fun for the community to get together and pack mishloach manos together at the Shul on the Beach.
The event had a triple purpose. The goals were all met and exceeded. The first goal was to make a more creative mishloach manos that effectively reflected the spirit of the Shul on the Beach Continue reading →
This past week was way too busy (and boring) to blog.
Sorry for the hiatus.
Why was it busy?
We were getting ready for TWO big events at Pacific Jewish Center that went down yesterday.
Read the two posts about the events by going back to the homepage.
(Spoiler Alert Continue reading →
Heshy just posted this on his blog and since we are the hosts, I am reposting for your information and reference.
I know it’s a bit short notice but I (Heshy Fried / Frum Satire) will be performing this coming Sunday February 14th in Los Angeles at the Pacific Jewish Center AKA Shul on the Beach (on the Venice Beach Boardwalk) at 6pm. The rabbi of the shul is fellow blogger/contributor Eliyahu Fink.
Facebook event – please share with your friends.
Frum Satire live in Los Angeles@ The Shul on the Beach 6pm
505 Ocean Front Walk
Los Angeles, CA 90291
Cost of admission is a suggested donation to the shul of $5-10 (non-members)
Heshy will be spending Shabbos in Venice. The community looks forward to hosting Heshy.
So I hope to see you all on Sunday!
-ef
Grant Desme: Is he looking heavenward?
The two most popular posts on this blog are variants of one common theme.
Athletes as Role Models.
It makes sense. I enjoy sports, I am passionate about education and I love the moral tension created by appreciating both of those areas of life. It appears that people like reading about it as well.
Learn about what I think by reading these posts (in order of popularity): Continue reading →
So like everyone else, I bought into the hype.
I thought the Tebow ad was going to “tell his mother’s story”. It did not.
She still called him a “miracle baby”, but that is not that big a deal.
I apologize for the previous blog post. Continue reading →
A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
The raison-d’être of maaseh braisheis and the essential tachlis of Klal Yisrael is defined in parshas Yisro with the experience of Matan Torah. No other event in world history more profoundly impacted the world for eternity. Continue reading →
This clip was sent my way and I’ve got to admit it is amazing.
American Idol Season ~46,281 is underway and the most memorable moment so far has certainly been the Pants on the Ground phenomena. If you have seen or heard of it – you MUST go here right now and watch it (come back quick).
But as funny and entertaining as Larry Platt was, a different contestant said something that really struck a cord within me. That contestant was Lloyd Thomas. Continue reading →
This post has been crossposted to DovBear. More discussion there.
Since the Earthquake in Haiti many have attempted to figure out “why” the tragedy occurred.
There are 4 prominent versions going around the web right now.
Rabbi Shafran Version 1: God punished the people of Haiti because of evil speech.
Rabbi Shafran Version 2: We don’t know why God punished the people of Haiti but the lesson is that we should learn is not to speak evil speech.
Rabbi Levin: The earthquake and Tsunami and 9/11 happened because of Gays in the military.
Rabbi Feldman: We can’t know why the earthquake happened, but it happened for “a reason”.
What has been missing from this is a more rational approach Continue reading →
FB Links