Prayer is something so basic to all faiths and religions. Jewish ideas of prayer are decidedly different from other cultures. It is very important to learn about the Jewish approach to prayer.
I began the class by announcing that this was a topic I longed to discuss for a very long time. I finally felt that [...]
Posts under ‘Connections’
Prayer in Judaism | Connections 11/2/09
Truth and Faith | Connections 10/26/09
Two words with very different meanings were discussed tonight.
Truth on the one hand and faith on the other.
In Judaism these are really two phases of life’s various challenges. Our discussion ranged from Abraham to smokers to ferrets.
It was quite an adventure and I invite you listen.
All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts on the top [...]
The Miracle of Tests and Ordeals | Connections 10/19/09
At Connections this week we learned a lot about ourselves.
We began with a quote from Messilas Yesharim. The purpose of life is to perform mitzvos, to serve and to be tested. To be tested is the purpose of life?
We then discussed ordeals and tests in a traditional and more novel way. You will enjoy the approach. You [...]
Fast of Gedaliah: Meaning and Lessons | Connections 9/21/09
It was not easy giving my Monday night class tonight. After fasting all day to remember the tragic death of the great Gedaliah I found myself tripping over my words. So I apologize if the class sounds a bit jumbled.
We talked about the history of Gedaliah and the significance of the fast day.
I concluded by [...]
Physical Reward For Spiritual Deeds | Connections 9/14/09
This week we learned about the actual nature of the judgment of Rosh Hashana.
Using a unique approach from Rav Dessler, we resolved a difficult contradiction in Jewish philosophy and enjoyed great questions and insight from all the attendees.
This was our final class in the Preparing for Rosh Hashana Series.
All audio classes are available by clicking podcasts [...]
The Shofar: A Time Machine | Connections 9/7/09
This evening we tackled another oft discussed them of Rosh Hashana, the Shofar.
We used a deep understanding of Shofar to answer a common and troubling calendaring issue regarding Rosh Hashana and Creation.
Overall, the participation was great, the energy was high and it was a great way to continue our preparatoins for Rosh Hashana.
All audio classes [...]
Rosh Hashana: Beginning of all Beginnings | Connections 8/31/09
As we continue our journey through Elul, marching towards Rosh Hashana, Connections returned the Pacific Jewish Center.
Our approach was that if we are “preparing” for Rosh Hashana, we need to understand just what Rosh Hashana means. What is a succesful Rosh Hashana and how do we get there?
We analyzed one angle of Rosh Hashana that [...]
Honor Thy Father & Mother | Connections 6/8/09
Another beautiful evening in Venice CA was highlighted by a wonderful Connections.
Everyone was all smiles and we had a great time socializing and learning.
Our Torah topic was the philosophy and moral implications of honoring one’s parents.
We discussed various theories and we ended with the Torah approach.
I recommend listening to this class as the questions and [...]
Structure and Philosophy of Torah 3 | Connections 5/4/09
The third and final class in a very exciting series concluded our preparations for Shavuos.
Catch up by listening to Part 1 and Part 2.
Today we sought to resolve the burning question we began our series with. Why is Talmud study the focus of Torah scholarship? Why do Yeshiva students spend the bulk of their time [...]
Structure and Philosophy of Torah 2 | Connections 5/4/09
Happy Lag B’Omer.
We had a great turnout this week despite the fact that we lost some attendees to Lag B’Omer celebrations this week.
This week Connections was the second of a series of classes about the history, philosophy, structure and benefits to Torah study.
In preparation for Shavuos, when the Jewish people accepted the Torah, this was [...]
Structure and Philosophy of Torah | Connections 5/4/09
This week Connections was the first of a series of classes about the history, philosophy, structure and benefits to Torah study.
In preparation for Shavuos, when the Jewish people accepted the Torah, this was the perfect time to begin the series.
This class is the foundation for the next few classes so I highly recommend checking it [...]
Israel & The Jewish People | Connections 4/27/09
With the upcoming Yom Haatzmaut and Yom Yerushalayim holidays I felt it was a perfect time to discuss the role Israel plays within the Torah system.
For many people Israel serves as a bastion of democracy in the Middle East, for others it is a Jewish homeland where no Jew will be denied access, for others [...]
The Omer & Channeling Our Materiality | Connections 4/20/09
Tonight, Connections returned.
Our mission: to understand the difference between our Pesach celebration and the Shavuos celebration. More specifically, why is our Pesach celebration of freedom accomplished via the non-descript Matzah and our celebration of receiving the Torah is with a physically pleasurable celebration.
We also learned the Torah way of approaching character development and how to [...]
Purim Night! | Connections 3/9/09
Purim Night at the Shul on the Beach was amazing.
On Sunday a number of volunteers from the community distributed Hamentaschen to passersby on the Venice Boardwalk. They met so many interesting Jewish people from Venice / Santa Monica and the rest of the world.
A lot of those people joined us for the Purim Party at [...]
Yom Kippur and Purim | Connections 3/2/09
As we have learned more and more about Purim many people have danced around the subject of Yom Kippur and Purim.
There is a connection there and tonight we explored that connection. Quoting great Rabbis like the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Yitzchak Blazer and R’ Yitzchak Hutner we went deeper than ever before into the world of [...]
Purim, Doubt, Clarity and Amalek | Connections 2/23/09
Last week we began our Purim learning. (Recommended listening)
Tonight we continued our learning about Purim. Often misunderstood and misused, Purim deserves better treatment than that.
We journeyed through the book of Genesis, The Scroll of Esther and the Talmud in search of meaning and reason. Why is Purim named after the lottery that Haman cast? Why [...]
Scoffers, Purim and the Measure of a Man | Connections 2/16/09
This week at Connections we began to unlock some of the secrets of Purim.
We began with Amalek the ancient nemesis of the Jewish People. We learned about their essence and how to eradicate that flaw from within ourselves.
One of the most profound ideas I have ever heard was also discussed. How to measure a man. [...]
New (Old) Audio Class Added
I have just added the first Connections class from early December.
The link to the audio is there as well as the podcasts section to the right…
The Clothes Make (or break) the Man | Connections 2/2/09
This week at Connections we talk about clothes. Apparently clothes have been on my mind a lot. If you have been reading the blog you may have noticed that the recent posts all had to do with clothes. I commented on the espn.com article about wearing pants while playing basketball and then I commented on [...]
You Are What You Eat | Connections 1/26/09
Nowhere is the statement “you are what you eat” more true than in Judaism.
Our topic tonight was the dietary laws of the Torah. Tonight we dispelled many of the myths about kosher. We discussed the origins of the English word Kosher and contrasted that to the Hebrew word for Kosher.
Kosher is survival of the fittest. [...]
One Month Anniversary & Best of the Blog (So Far)
Well it has been one month for me on the blogging trail. I must say, I quite like it. I like the idea of expressing myself to an infinite (sometimes reluctant) audience. If the world stops being interesting to me then the blog posts will probably end. I don’t think that is going to happen [...]
Inspiration. As easy as 1-2-3! | Connections 1/12/09
We had such a nice program tonight. The event was sponsored by Elizabeth Liber as she moves to New York to attend Stern College. Thank you for your sponsorship and we will miss you!
Our topic tonight was Inspiration. Much of our discussion was rooted in R’ Akiva Tatz’s distillation of some very profound ideas. The [...]
Beauty – Is it more than skin deep? | Connections 1/5/09
A wonderful crowd joined together for socializing and Torah study this evening. The atmosphere was wonderful, the questions and comments from the participants were insightful and I had a great time.
Tonight we traversed all across the Torah spectrum. We talked about the Ner Tamid in every shul, the splitting of the sea, therapy and “American [...]
Pacific Jewish Center Chanukah Party 2008
Jeff Liss did a tremendous job organizing and preparing the annual PJC Chanukah Party.
The kids and adults had a great time and we all thank Jeff for a job well done.
Tonight was a Connections night and I was on the program and I had to compete with the magician upstairs…
The question posed was as follows. [...]
Malcolm Gladwell and "Perfection"
In a twist of fate I was sent this link by PJC member Judd Magilnick.
Malcolm Gladwell is a great writer and has had a great influence on my thinking. Perhaps the greatest secular influence on me of all! I have not yet had a chance to read his new book “Outliers” however I have read [...]
