When the fires hit in southern california, we took 10 Community-Restoring Actions that helped our congregants, community and ourselves.
Rabbi’s Disaster To Do List: 10 Community-Restoring Actions from the SoCal Fires
When the Rabbi Feels Trauma: Lessons from the SoCal Fires
Facing the trauma after the fires. If it can happen to the rabbi, it can happen to you too...
After the Fires: Celebrating Thanksgiving When Homes are Lost or Damaged
When circumstances out of our control - like fires or other disasters - affect our ability to hold our Thanksgiving rituals in our usual way, we can become distraught. When life intervenes – like fires destroying homes or forcing a loved one to be absent – what happens to the ritual? By Sally Weber MSW and Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Resources after a Shooting: For Solace, Support, Action and Talking to Kids
In the aftermath of the shooting in Thousand Oaks, Congregation Or Ami sent these resources - for solace, support, action and talking to kids - to all our congregants.
My Congregant Was in that Dance Bar Shooting
Spoken Word Poem: Our congregant kid was in that Country Western Dance Bar. He's Okay. I'm not. I've had enough.
Vote (and here’s why): Spoken Word Poetry
Where Was Sarah During the Akeidah (the Binding of Isaac)?
Midrashic Monologue: Where was Sarah in the Akeidah (Torah), when Abraham almost sacrificed their son Isaac? We think she saved Isaac's life and the Jewish future.
Sacrifice My Son Isaac? What Was I Thinking?
Midrashic Monologue: Did you ever wonder what Abraham thought about in the years following his “almost-sacrifice” of his son Isaac? Based on Parashat Vayeira and the Akeidah, we imagine Abraham’s inner struggles.
Naming Naamah, Noach’s Wife (and the Other Torah Women Too)
Noah's wife is mentioned 5 times in Torah, but her name - Na'amah - is not. Hear the voices of other silenced women of Torah.
Beautiful Blank Slate: That’s our Camp Newman
URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa is now a beautiful blank slate, awaiting our creativity, imagination and love.
We are Here for You: A Clergy Letter about Sexual Violence
The rabbis and cantor of Congregation Or Ami sent this letter about sexual violence to our adult congregants, our 9th-12th graders, recent high school graduates (18-22 year olds), and our faculty. We also sent a note to parents of 7th-12th graders with suggestions on conversations with their children.
Did God Create a World Before This One? Spoken-Word Poetry on Genesis
To Be a Jew Today
Four College Buddies, A Poem about Finding Oneself Again
Four college buddies gather together for a guy's weekend reunion. Open hearted sharing ensues. A spoken word poem.
