Standing in a grocery store, I found myself with an extra dollar in my pocket. I looked around and, on a whim, decided to...

The Jewish month of Kislev ushers in Hannukah, the Festival of Lights. Our family spent the last few days dusting off our hannukiyah, cleaning...

Due to an angry altercation between our son and a baseball, he received several stitches above his eye. He’s completely fine and we’ve now...

This week we memorialized a beloved member of our Sinai Temple community, Bart Kogan. Bart developed so many connections around the country, but each...

This week, Sinai Akiba Academy put on their annual challah bake. We gathered, put the various ingredients together to mix our dough and schmoozed...

On a recent neighborhood walk with my children and their classmates, my son’s friend called out, “Do you see it?” His mom and I...

How do boats float? One must wonder how equipped Noah was to build the ark. According to Archimedes’ Principle, a boat includes specific features to...

There is a midrash that likens the chag of Shemini Atzeret to the image of a parent begging their child to stay a little...

I have a hypothesis as to the physical and symbolic challenge during Sukkot. Each year I hear the following: the poles aren’t fitting the...

The days after Yom Kippur are both easy and hard. We are spiritually uplifted and spiritually exhausted. We’re fueled to jump into the new...

At the heart of the Rosh Hashana service is the U-netaneh Tokef prayer. Famously known for the phrases: who will live and who will...

This week we are celebrating the bat mitzvah of our colleague’s daughter. The family hosted an online gathering of the women who have impacted...

There is an understanding that during this time of year, God comes closer. In spiritual proximity, God is explained to be “in the field”...

One of our Guzik-Sherman family traditions is displaying our apple and honey dishes. Over the years, we have collected a beautiful assortment—some of which...

Last week, our clergy team stood on the corner of Wilshire and Beverly Glen, filming a pre-High Holy Day message for the community. Rabbi...

I am thoroughly enjoying the social media posts of children and grandchildren’s first day of school. The well-choreographed poses, clean shirts, and bright smiles....

In San Francisco, we received a great tip to visit the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory. Tucked within a decorated alley, we almost missed...

As we flew home to Los Angeles from Philadelphia, we noticed a young girl sitting between an older man and woman. The girl appeared to...

Our family spent a morning playing putt-putt. As someone with little patience during any kind of game, I am not an avid player. Unsure...

Another summer beach day. Sitting on the shore, I noticed two different kinds of people. First type: Those completely immersed in the waves. Running, splashing,...

This week I finally have three kids under one roof. It feels as if summer can officially begin. As the three reunited, they ran...

This week, our family spent a few hours at the beach. As we made our way to the sand, a woman was entertaining those...

Our children are at sleepaway camp. So far, we haven’t received any letters in the mail. I sent each kid with pre-addressed, pre-stamped postcards....

I have a deep fear of bridges. More accurately, I’m scared of bridges that stand looming over large pools of water or busy highways....

Growing up in California, I can say with some expertise that heavy rain is pretty infrequent. And when that rain arrives, the “storm” usually...

My morning ritual involves 15 minutes of uninterrupted coffee drinking, scrolling through emails and reading the news. On Wednesday morning, a few congregants had...

It is the last week of school in our Sinai Akiba Academy community. The night before my kindergartner’s graduation, we sat and created a word...

The Gottman Institute, an organization dedicated to the repairing and rebuilding of relationships, is known for “Love Maps.” Through a couple’s journey, each partner...

On Sunday, I spent the day at the baseball field, watching my sons enjoy their favorite sport. At my older son’s game, the opposing...

This week I was honored to attend the rabbinic ordination at the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. This also marks the 13th anniversary of...