WORDS THAT BREATHE

Rabbi Paul Kipnes discusses the centrality of inclusion at Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, CA

91-year-old Deanna came to visit me to find some comfort after her beloved husband Alvin died. Turns out, she spent more time teaching me Torat Chayim (the Torah of Life).

Cantor Doug Cotler kvells: "I just had the best day at Religious School!"

For a few years now, we have been inviting small groups of men, ages 25 to 80, to get together for Men's Night Out, an evening of noshing (eating), schmoozing (connecting), and thinking. The bonds they create are refreshing.

Rabbinic Intern Dusty Klass is finding blessing in the in-between. Especially through Bar Mitzvah tutoring, Shoes that Fit, parenting and yahrzeit boards

Synagogues, like our own Congregation Or Ami, are retooling, experimenting, failing at times, and picking themselves up to innovate anew. The results are exhilarating! Jewish Start Up Synagogues – often the older shuls that are renewing themselves – are exciting and exceedingly hopeful.