The TBE Blog is the space where Temple Beth El’s Leadership Team members reflect on relevant topics that are most meaningful to us. Here you will find musings on everything from prayer to politics, music to mysticism and history to current day life. From our iPads, smartphones, and laptops to yours, these are the things that inspire us, keep us up at night, and fuel our own Jewish journeys.
The Impact of One Decision by Shayla Siegel
Temple Beth El
August 21, 2018
When I made the decision to become a pescetarian (like a vegetarian, but still eats seafood and fish) as my 2018 New Year’s resolution, I ...
Read More →
To Whom am I Accountable? The Answer I Found in Treblinka by Rabbi Judy Schindler
Rabbi Schindler
August 17, 2018
It was the final day of a two-week journey to explore the Holocaust, a trip filled with long days of study, long drives, and long ...
Read More →
A Former Los Angelina finds Community and Jewish Connection in the South by Naomi McRary
Temple Beth El
August 17, 2018
I lived in L.A. for 12 years and I loved it. I met my husband there, in a bar of course. He was from North ...
Read More →
What Do You Want Your Jewish Experience to Look Like? by Dave Press
Temple Beth El
August 17, 2018
Have you ever been invited to try a new restaurant, only to take one look at the menu and realize that there’s nothing there that ...
Read More →
Self and Community: Tending to the Garden of Our Soul by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
August 16, 2018
I have an incredible knack – some even call it a skill – to kill every plant that’s been unfortunate enough to come near me. ...
Read More →
A Place to Come Home To by Amy Cojac Andrews
Temple Beth El
August 15, 2018
I find it ironic that some of the very times I feel most connected to Temple Beth El are when I am physically farthest away ...
Read More →
Finding Myself In Community by Bryan Buckler
Temple Beth El
August 15, 2018
Growing up in rural Georgia, I thought being a minority meant you were either African-American or Catholic. Our family was one of only two that were Catholic, but fortunately ...
Read More →
TriBEs: Community, Sprouted through Meaningful Relationships by Ellen Reich
Temple Beth El
August 14, 2018
I believe creating community embodies listening – listening with an intentional level of depth and patience that often does not come naturally. When I disagree ...
Read More →
Communities Work When They Make Room for Everyone by Nick Montoni
Temple Beth El
August 13, 2018
My mother once said to me, “You can’t wash being Jewish off in the bath.” Growing up, I interpreted this to be a statement about ...
Read More →
Discovering The True Meaning of Community Involvement by Howard Olshansky
Temple Beth El
August 13, 2018
I have often grappled with the challenge of community involvement. This is an inherent conflict for me. I tend to be a pretty private person, ...
Read More →
Kehilah Kedoshah – A Holy Community by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
Susan Jacobs
August 7, 2018
As much as we are dedicated to having our students love Jewish learning, at Temple Beth El Religious School, we also strive to have our ...
Read More →
Turn! Turn! Turn! by Ross C. Levin
Temple Beth El
August 1, 2018
Pete Seeger’s scripture based “Turn! Turn! Turn!” made popular in the 1960s by The Byrds, is open to a myriad of interpretations. For me, it ...
Read More →
About The Israeli Nation-State Law by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
July 25, 2018
The Israeli Knesset recently passed a controversial “Nation-State law.” The law has received statements of opposition by Jewish organizations and communities from throughout the world. ...
Read More →
Elul: Preparing for the High Holy Days by Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Asher Knight
July 25, 2018
The month of Elul – August 12-September 9 – is our prelude for the Days of Awe. The name of the Hebrew month, spelled aleph, ...
Read More →
A Modern Lament by Student Rabbi Hannah Elkin
Temple Beth El
July 18, 2018
Tishah B’Av, the holiday that commemorates the destruction of the ancient Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies in Jewish history, can seem removed from our ...
Read More →