February 16, 2011

A new direction

Jewish Journal February 16, 2011

Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Murder. The description of the events of the Golden Calf in this week’s portion sounds like the outline for a new cable television series. By the end of the portion, the main characters of Aaron and the Hebrews are forgiven and allowed to keep going on their journey. But how? Isn’t the crime of the Golden Calf so great that it is unforgivable? How can we be forgiven — whether as a community or as an individual — for mistakes that are so overwhelming?

10 Commandments for B’nai Mitzvah teachers

Jeff Bernhardt February 16, 2011

“I have learned much from my teachers; from my colleagues more than from my teachers; and from my students more than all” (Talmud, Taanit 7b). Experience truly is the best teacher, and while I have been teaching Jewish students in many settings for 30 years, I continually learn from them. I have learned what it takes to be an educator, and particularly a b’nai mitzvah educator, from supervisors, colleagues and students as well as from their parents.

Calendar picks and clicks: Feb. 16–Feb. 25, 2011

Ryan Torok February 16, 2011

An invisible world is revealed as the Israeli troupe performs the critically acclaimed dance show “Infrared.” Based on a poem “In the Black Garden” by KCDC artistic director Rami Be’er, the show explores the human condition through primary colors in breathtaking beauty. Sat. 8 p.m. $25-$45. The Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. (323) 343-6600. luckmanarts.org.

The Bible’s true story

Jonathan Kirsch February 16, 2011

Timothy Beal is a religion professor at Case Western Reserve University and the author of 11 books about the Bible and religion. Raised as an Evangelical Christian, he came to realize that the Bible is not quite what it seems and certainly not what it is advertised to be in certain strict religious circles. His revelations about the Bible, so to speak, are at the core of “The Rise and Fall of the Bible: The Unexpected History of an Accidental Book” (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $25), an engaging but also challenging re-reading of the sacred texts in the full light of history.

String theory’s huge and heavenly harp

Rick Schultz February 16, 2011

1,500 raise voices in song to remember Debbie Friedman

Rachel Heller February 16, 2011

As the piano struck the first notes of Debbie Friedman’s “Elohai N’Shama,” Cantor Linda Kates paused before the approximately 1,500 people gathered in the sanctuary at Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) and recalled a story about how the late singer-songwriter energized a crowd of Jewish students while teaching them the song.

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A new direction

10 Commandments for B’nai Mitzvah teachers

Calendar picks and clicks: Feb. 16–Feb. 25, 2011

The Bible’s true story

String theory’s huge and heavenly harp

1,500 raise voices in song to remember Debbie Friedman

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Jewish Journal

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.