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 Weekly Torah Commentary
Nitzavim/Vayeleh (Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Sometimes life seems overwhelming. For some it’s the stress of coping with raising their children in an...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
This week’s Torah portion is every rabbi’s dream - particularly at this time of year. Because every year as the ...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Ki Tetzey (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Henry James once wrote, “Three things in human life are important: The first is to be kind. The second is to...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Shoftim (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:19)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
We have begun the month of Elul and I can feel the spiritual pressure building already. Traditional Jews go to...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
This week we discover one of the most powerful Biblical lessons in personal motivation and success ever written. ...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Ekev – Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Sometimes all of life seems like a test. Friendships drift away, loved ones die, we find ourselves fighting a seri...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Va’ethanan (Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
In the midst of various ethical scandals that plagued the country during the time of Harry Truman’s presiden...
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Shabbat BBQ at the Beach
60th Anniversary Kick-Off
Shabbat BBQ at the Beach
Friday, August 6
"doors open" at 5:00 PM
Our kick-off event for KI's 60th Anniversary year will feature music, volleyball,
a sand castle competition, and special giveawa...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Devarim (Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
My father-in-law, Nathan Cohen, died last week in Florida at age 94. Didi told me that when she was a child, her ...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Usually when I read through this week's Torah portion, I feel a little disgusted. It starts out well enough, t...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Pinhas (Numbers 25:10-30:1)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Every time I think about Golda Meir and the impact she had as prime minister of Israel, or Indira Gandhi and her rol...
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Art, Champagne, Chocolate
Art, Champagne, Chocolate
Presented by KISS (KI Society of Sisters)
Thursday, July 15, 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Bergamot Station
Put on your favorite sundress and join your friends from KI for a special summer evenin...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Balak (Numbers 22:2-25:9)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Sometimes one of the hardest things in life is not to care about what other people think of us. As I’ve mentioned oft...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Balak Blessing - Intuition
This week we read the Torah portion of Balak in the book of Numbers (22:2 – 25:9).
Your blessing comes from the verse this week’s reading:
Come with me to another place from...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Hukat (Numbers 19:1-25:9)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
This week we read of the death of both of Moses's siblings, Miriam and Aaron. According to Jewish tradition, througho...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Hukat (Mysterious Rule) Blessing – Learn From Mistakes
This week we read the Torah portion of Hukat (Mysterious Rule) in the book of Numbers (19:1 – 22:1).
Your blessing comes from the verse this wee...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Korah (Challenger) Blessing – Challenge Yourself
This week we read the Torah portion of Korah (Challenger) in the book of Numbers (16:1 – 18:32)).
Your blessing comes from the verse this week’s readin...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Korah (Numbers 16:1-18:32)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Moses faces the most serious challenge to his leadership in his entire career this week. It comes from a man named K...
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Blessing of the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Shelah Leha (Send for Yourself) Blessing – Reaching Your Dream
This week we read the Torah portion of Shelah Leha (Send for Yourself) in the book of Numbers (13:1 – 15:41).
Your blessing comes from the...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Shelah Leha (Numbers 13:1-15:41)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
The signs of a spiritual renaissance are all around us. Candidates are increasingly running for public office w...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Beha’alotha (Numbers 8:1-12:16)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
I know many people who talk as if their lives are dictated by divine forces beyond their control. Sometimes it ...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
NASO (Numbers 4:21-7:89)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
One of my favorite ideas from Jewish tradition is the phrase, “More important than reciting blessings, is to be a ble...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Bemidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
I opened my mail and there it was. I had heard about it on TV, I even has helped several members of my synagogue wh...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Bemidbar (In the Wilderness) Blessing – Self-Disclosure
This week we read the Torah portion of Bemidbar (In the Wilderness)
from the book of Numbers (1:2 – 4:20).
Your blessing comes from the verse thi...
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KISS Goes to "Behind the Gates"
KISS Goes to "Behind the Gates"
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 8:00 PM
Join KISS (Kehillat Israel Society of Sisters) for the world premiere of a play by award-winning playwright Wendy Graf with set design by Stephanie Kerley Schw...
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KI Parent Enrichment Center presents Betsy Brown Braun
Tricky Topics: How to Answer the Tough Questions from Your Kids
Monday, June 21, 2010, 7:00 -9:00 PM
Location: Social Hall
Betsy Brown Braun, Child Development and Behavior Specialist, has been hailed by t...
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KI & Palisades Cares presents: Tapped, the movie
Is Access to Clean Drinking Water a Basic Human Right?
KI & Palisades Cares Screens Tapped - a Documentary
Thursday, May 6, 7:00 PM at Kehillat Israel.
Kehillat Israel and Palisades Cares invite you to a screening of the...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Behar-Behukotay (Leviticus 25:1-27:34)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Waiting for freedom to come takes many forms. Although it is understandable that when I write about freed...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Behar (On the Mountain) Blessing – Freedom and Rest
This week we read the Torah portion of Behar (On the Mountain) from the book of Leviticus (25:1 – 26:2).
Your blessing comes from the verse in thi...
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Interfaith Blood Drive
Sunday, May 23
9:30 am to 3:00 pm
The Cedars-Sinai team will be on hand at KI with time slots every 15 minutes. Please sign up in advance to donate blood!
Blood Drive Coordinator: Jessica Froehlinger
Jessica.Froehlinger@k...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
EMOR (Leviticus 21:1-24:23
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
“It’s not fair!” I heard a child yelling at his playmate on the synagogue playground the other day. “It’s not fair!”...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Emor (Say) Blessing – Self-Acceptance
This week we read the Torah portion of Emor (Say) from the book of Leviticus (21:1 – 24:23).
Your blessing comes from the verse in this week’s reading:
Bathe you...
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KI Movie Night Screens "Defamation"
Thursday, April 22, 6:30 PM in the Social Hall
Free and open to the community
Join us as we screen a fascinating new movie out of Israel called:
Defamation: Anti-semitism the Movie.
Following the screening the film's pro...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Aharey Mot - Kedoshim (Leviticus 19:1-18:30)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Last week a distraught young man came to see me for counseling. He told me that he had graduated f...
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KI Movie Night screens: Defamation
KI Movie Night
Thursday 4/22
6:30pm in the social hall
Free and open to the community
Join us as we screen a fascinating new movie out of Israel called:
Defamation: Anti-semitism the movie
Following the screening the film’s...
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KI Business Superstars Networking Event
Get Up Close & Personal
with KI Business Superstars
Thursday, May 27, 2010, 7:00 PM at Kehillat Israel
Eat, Drink, Network!
Featured Superstars include but are not limited to:
Josh Berman, President, Slingshot Labs, Myspace...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Aharey-Mot (After the Death) Blessing – Love Lives On
This week we read the Torah portion of Aharey-Mot (After the Death) from the book of Leviticus (16:1 – 18:30).
Your blessing comes from the verse ...
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"Singing Benny Carter" Presented by Jewish Women's Theatre & KI
Sunday, April 18, 2010 at KI
Doors open: 1:45 PM
Showtime: 2:00 PM
Jewish Women's Theatre & Kehillat Israel PRESENTS
A NEW SHOW BY DEBORAH PEARL: “SINGING BENNY CARTER”
What’s a nice Jewish Girl doing writing ...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Tazri’a-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1-15:33)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Yesterday I had the privilege of officiating at the funeral of a remarkable man who would have been 99 ye...
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Mega Mitzvah Day
Kick-Off and Continental Breakfast at 9:30 am at KI
RSVP HERE
ECC PROJECT
Beach Clean-up: Clean up Venice Beach with Heal the Bay. Meet at 10am on Venice Beach at Washington Blvd.
Coordinators: Mindy Freedman mindy@westlaha...
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Blessing for the Week
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart
Tazria/Metzora (She Brings Forth Seed) Blessing – Creativity
Leviticus 12:1-13:59
Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33
This week we read the Torah portion of Tazria/Metzora (She Brings Forth Seed) from the book of Le...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
“What is your favorite thing to eat on Passover?” I asked a group of religious school kids. “Matzah!” they cried a...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Passover 2010
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
It’s always hard to be a stranger. I was born in Santa Monica California, and I remember so clearly what it felt like to be wrenche...
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Fabulous & Fun 40s and 50s Singles Shabbat Dinner
Fabulous & Fun 40s and 50s
Singles Shabbat Dinner
Co-sponsored by Temple Beth Am and Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Dinner will be approximately 7:30pm
$20 per person
Everyone is in...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
I met this morning with twenty-five 11th grade teenagers from Israel who have been visiting Los Angeles as part of a Je...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Vayikra (Leviticus 1:1-5:26)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
Sometimes I think that our Biblical ancestors were a lot wiser than we give them credit for. Every year when we get ...
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Rabbi Lewart featured in Jewish Journal
L.A. Jewish Journal
March 9, 2010
Spirituality Blooms Anew as Rabbi Begins Retirement
by Julie Gruenbaum Fax
Rabbi Sheryl Lewart knew it was time to go to rabbinic school around 20 years ago when she found herself reluctant...
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KI Movie Night screens "Defiance"
THURSDAY MARCH 25
Screening will begin promptly at 6:30pm
with a special Q&A session following the film moderated by Rabbi Reuben and featuring:
Clayton Frohman, screenwriter
Chana Messer, daughter of Polish Partisans (and K...
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Yom Ha'Azmaut Synaplex Shabbat
Synaplex Shabbat – Something for Everyone
Friday April 16th, 2010
Doors open at 5:00pm
Israeli Marketplace 5:00-6:30
Storytelling 5:30-6:00
Congregational Israeli Dinner 6:30-7:30 FREE with RSVP!
Drumming or Traditional S...
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Weekly Torah Commentary
Vayakhel - Pekudey (Exodus 35:1-40:38)
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D.
Kehillat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation
There is a famous story of the man who walks by a large construction site in the middle of a hot summer d...
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