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Amy Klein

Amy Klein

Books: Reimagining the future of the Jewish People

\”Now, once again, a group of gifted scholars gather to reinterpret the Jewish project, to reassert its meaning, re-envision its institutions and reimagine its future,\” asserts the introduction of the new book: \”Jews and Judaism in the 21st Century: Human Responsibility, the Presence of God and the Future of the Covenant,\” edited by Valley Beth Shalom\’s (VBS) Rabbi Edward Feinstein (Jewish Lights Publishing, $24.99).

Valley congregation Shaarey Zedek moves on with new rabbi

After a one-year search and some private soul-searching, Shaarey Zedek congregation in Valley Village has appointed a new rabbi. Rabbi Jonathan Rosenberg, who joined the congregation in March, was formally welcomed last month at the Orthodox synagogue\’s annual dinner.

Taste-testing Judaism

In the past decade, as Jewish leaders grapple with how assimilation and intermarriage have affected the numbers of Jews, many Jewish organizations, temples and synagogues are increasing efforts to reach out to teach Judaism — both to secular and unaffiliated Jews, as well as to interfaith families.

Different cultures produce different Jewish mothers

When people talk about the Jewish mother stereotype, they\’re usually referring to the American Ashkenazi Jewish mother stereotype. But what about Jewish mothers from different cultures and countries?

Fiery holiday lights up Lag B’Omer spirit

Lag B\’Omer, literally the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer — the period between Passover and Shavuot — is a relatively minor Jewish holiday that in recent years has become more popular among spiritually seeking Jews. It marks the day that the plague that killed 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva\’s students ended; it also marks the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, who some think wrote the primary Kabbalistic text, the Zohar. The holiday has always been observed by the Orthodox, and in Israel, it\’s celebrated nationally and is a school holiday, but these days, some non-Orthodox synagogues, Jewish youth and singles groups and others have also taken to the beach to build fires, sing and revel in the fun.

One (Independence) Day in the Valley

Last Sunday\’s Israel Independence Day Festival at Woodley Park attracted 25,000 people — Israelis and supporters of Israel, and some just out for the fun of it. Here are some of their pictures and stories.

Let’s get personal

People say they don\’t really know me. That\’s what the last guy I dated said.

Rabbi Hier tops ‘Newsweek’ list of rabbis

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most influential American rabbi of them all? Rabbi Marvin Hier of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, according to a list published Monday in Newsweek. An article titled \”American Jews: The List — Choosing the Chosen,\” rates America\’s 50 most influential rabbis — with three of the top five working in Los Angeles (a total of 11 Angelenos are named).

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