JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers, Pesach might be behind us but there’s still plenty of Mitzrayim to leave. Indeed, it says “kimei tzetcha m’eretz Mitzrayim…” – with kimei in the plural. Leaving Mitzrayim wasn’t a “one and done.” We may have left the geographical territory of Egypt, but…

Powering Down to Connect to a Higher Power Sarah Pachter I recently participated as a guest speaker on a radio show, and the hosts were intrigued by my level of religious observance. Among the many things that piqued their interest, Sabbath observance was one area…

Humor Column: Pesach Rebecca Klempner I don’t mind all the cleaning and shopping and cooking that leads up to Pesach – I just tell myself that seder is coming, my favorite night of the year. Knowing that work has a purpose makes me (mostly) happy…

Dear Readers, “Why is this night different from all other nights?” It’s fascinating that on the night we celebrate the beginning of our peoplehood, we’re encouraged to ask so many questions. Indeed, the haggadah will provide us with questions to ask if we don’t have…

The Democrats’ Louis Farrakhan Problem Many Questions, No Answers Tzvi Dear At a recent event in the back forests of Baton Rouge, the former head of the Louisiana Ku Klux Clan, David Duke, gathered with his fellow tiki torch carriers, and gave a passionate address…

Pesach and Ma’os Chitim at Gan Chabad Preschool The children at Gan Chabad Preschool have been busily preparing for Pesach and can’t wait to have four cups of grape juice, eat matzah, and use the beautiful items they have made for their families’ sedarim! In…

Emek Honors the Teichman Family at their Trustee Dinner In February, Emek Hebrew Academy Teichman Family Torah Center held its 58th Annual Trustee Dinner at the Bella Blanca Banquet Hall in the San Fernando Valley. This year’s theme was “A Family Affair.” The Master of…

Humor Column: Extremely Minor Celebrity Rebecca Klempner While eavesdropping on my kids, I often learn astonishing things. I have discovered that they are occasionally nice to each other (“Here. You take the last cookie.”) I have learned that my children have excellent imaginations. (One of…

Dear Readers, A couple of days ago I bumped into some old friends from South Africa who told me that yet again a popular kosher caterer in the community who had been doing business for many years was found selling non-kosher chicken… The obvious reaction…

Two New Torahs, 1000 Strong: Celebrate Legacy of Rabbi Gordon The greater Los Angeles Jewish community came out in strength to joyfully and fittingly celebrate the legacy of the esteemed and world-renowned Shliach and teacher, Rabbi Yehoshua Binyomin Gordon, obm, with the dedication of two…

OK Kosher West Coast Kashrus Seminar The OK Kosher, under the direction of Rabbi Don Yoel Levy, recently concluded a three-day kashrus training seminar for mashgichim in Los Angeles. The seminar was for the mashgichim working in the food service department (restaurants, catering, bakeries, markets,…

Hillel, Hamlet, and the Human Condition—a Talk by Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman at Beth Jacob Yehudis Litvak Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University (YU), spent a weekend in Los Angeles. He met with YU parents and supporters at a dessert reception at Beth…

Dealing with Difficult People, Part 3: Becoming BIG Sarah Pachter As a single girl, I went to a class about marital harmony given by Rebbetzin Rachel Miller in Jerusalem. Single women are not typically invited to this class, but a friend and I asked if…