Rabbi's Blog

Dear Haverim,

Rosh Hodesh Iyar, the new Jewish month of Iyar, begins in two days.  We often forget that every month has at least one holiday!  We are a people who love to celebrate and we never take time or joy for granted. In good times and bad times, we have always paused to say a “Shehecheyanu,” in order to count our blessings and celebrate renewal and hope.  Rosh Hodesh has also been especially celebrated as a “Women’s Holiday.”

So much is happening at University Synagogue this month for adults and children of all ages, so please plan to be with us!

It’s a difficult time for Israel and Jews here and in the Middle East, on campuses, politically and in the media.  We may have different views about its politics, but we share a love for Israel and Israelis and we want the tragedy of continuing wars and terrorism to end, so that our brothers and sisters in Israel can live in safety and without fear.

As I write this letter, there is renewed hope for the return of some of the hostages and a longer term strategy for the future of Israel and the Palestinians, and yet we all know how such hopes can so often be dashed, delayed and defeated.

Nonetheless, as Israel’s national anthem Hatikva reminds us, we must always be a people of hope, so I hope that you’ll join Ruti and me this Friday evening at 5:00 p.m. for an Israeli Shabbat dinner, and at 5:30 p.m. for our annual “Yom Ha’Atzmaut/Israel Independence Day Shabbat Services For All Ages.”

There will be lots of singing and a short service so that children and adults of all ages can experience an accessible service, followed by a festive Oneg Shabbat.  This year, especially, we want to be together as a community.  We need to be together, to remind ourselves of the crucial role that Israel plays and will continue to play in our lives and in the future of our people everywhere. So, let’s celebrate our own “Spirit of 76” on Israel’s birthday. (Click here to RSVP.)

On Friday, May 17, at 7:00 p.m., Rabbi Stephen Einstein, Founding Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation B’nai Tzedek in Fountain Valley, will lead services and speak on the topic “How Outreach Enriched My Rabbinate And Gives Me Hope For The Future.” 

Rabbi Einstein was born and reared in Southern California, and is a cum laude-Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UCLA.  He was ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he also earned his doctorate.  Mentor to many rabbinical students, in recognition of his years of service, the College-Institute also awarded him an honorary doctorate. 

Rabbi Einstein was Vice President of Member Services of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, having previously served for 12 years on the Conference’s Ethics Committee, 6 years as Chair. For many years, he also sat on the Ethics Process Review Committee.   He is Past President of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the Orange County Board of Rabbis, and the Orange County Bureau of Jewish Education.  He is currently on the Board of CSP (Community Scholar Program) and the Anti-Defamation League.  He was the recipient of the American Jewish Committee’s Micah Award for Human Relations, and, in  2014, the Orange County Human Relations Committee tendered him their Legacy Award. Rabbi Einstein is a gifted rabbi, beloved by his congregation, with incredible wisdom and experience.  (Click here to RSVP.)

On Friday, May 24, “Synaplex Shabbat” returns with a delicious Shabbat dinner at 6:00 p.m. and Shabbat Alive services, led by Ruti, me and our band, at 7:00 p.m., followed by Rep. Katie Porter speaking on “Threats To Democracy Today and In The Future.”

As a single working mom, Rep. Porter knows firsthand about the challenges that families face. She’s introduced bipartisan legislation that would more than double the amount families can set aside pre-tax to help pay for preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare. She’s continued to press for restoring more of the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction, which has hit California’s middle-class families especially hard.

Rep. Porter believes our democracy and government should reflect the people of America and serve their needs. She’s a leader in the fight to protect taxpayers and crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse. In Congress, she’s a key voice for ending political corruption, increasing government transparency, and holding leaders of both parties accountable. (Click here to RSVP.)

Finally, to conclude this month, please join us on Friday, May 31, at 5:30 p.m. for our annual Congregational Meeting, a Pre-Oneg Shabbat at 6:30 p.m., and, at 7:00 p.m., Shabbat services on “Honoring Jewish Learning,” led by Ruti, me and our Confirmation/Madrichim students.  This service is for everyone, not just our Madrichim families and friends, for it celebrates Jewish learning and the Jewish future.  We will honor our Adult Education teachers and students and our “Basic Judaism and Beyond” graduates.  I’ll also speak about “Lifelong Jewish Literacy.”

(Click here to RSVP.)

As you can see, the month of May/Iyar offers a diversity of topics for all ages and interest.  So, please schedule these dates on your calendars now.  (Livestream is available, but “Live” is better!)

Hodesh Tov/A Guten Hodesh/Have A Wonderful Month,

Rabbi Arnie Rachlis