WORDS THAT BREATHE

Where do I find a minyan in Disneyland when I need to say Kaddish for my father? Outside It’s a Small World, after all! There, my students ensured I had a community for Kaddish.

A video that explores what it feels like to be a mourner, featuring my poem - The Secret Life of a Mourner.

A video that explores what to say to a mourner. Of particular significance for me since my father Ken Kipnes died.

Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Rabbi Joshua Aaronson have engaged in a spirited rivalry over Super Bowl LII between the Patriots and the Eagles. Winning Rabbi gets bragging rights, and delicious delicacies for their synagogue's oneg, and the loser donates tzedakah to URJ Camp Newman's #NewmanStrong fund.

Authors Night with Host Karyn Foley at the Calabasas Library. Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Michelle November, MSSW, who co-authored the book, "Jewish Spiritual Parenting: Wisdom, Activities, Rituals and Prayers for Raising Children with Spiritual Balance and Emotional Wholeness," explore spiritually nourishing approaches to help you foster essential Jewish values like gratitude, joy and honesty in your children.

Volunteering to pack comfort bags on Mitzvah Day for children entering the foster care system is one step on the path to peace. Show up at Congregation Or Ami on November 6th.

The history of Touro Synagogue, the oldest synagogue in the United States, offers lessons about social justice and religious tolerance that resonate even today. Video written & directed by Seth Front: http://sethfront.com "Shalom Rav" Performed by Nancy Linder: http://nancylinder.com Music by Jeff Klepper & Dan Freelander

The clergy of Congregation Or Ami (Calabasas) share their vision of the synagogue as a sanctuary of kindness, your second home.

How a car accident and a rape teaches us about the responsibility to stand up and be counted.

My Shabbat video message: on blessings and curses

Shabbat Video Message: Why we hike in the wilderness on Shabbat.

In this video, Moms and Dads reflect upon the joyous, warm experience of being parents at Congregation Or Ami.

My First Music Video! Mi Chamocha, a new version written by Sheryl Braunstein, Daniel Braunstein and me (Rabbi Paul Kipnes).

Watch my Shabbat Video Message: When You Feel Outside the Community

Caption Contest: How would you caption this picture of a puppy munching on our new book, Jewish Spiritual Parenting? Write your caption in the comments to enter a raffle for your own personalized autographed copy.

For those who believe that the minor festival of Chanukah should be celebrated with more gusto. Happy Chanukah!

Hysterical, laugh out loud funny! or click here This song raises all sorts of issues that go to the roots of questions about whether Hanukkah is (or should be) celebrated with the same pervasiveness as Christmas, or like the minor holiday it always was, should just be a private home celebration affair. Worthy of a larger discussion. Right now, just watch and laugh.

Strangers No More , the Academy Award winning documentary about Tel Aviv ’s Bialik-Rogozin School, debuts on Monday, December 5th (6:45-7:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. According to the eJewish Philanthropy blog: The school, serving one of the most economically challenged and socially diverse student populations in Israel, has morphed from a failing one to a highly successful and closely watched model for improving students’ lives and outlooks, strengthening and support

I always expected that Hollywood sets were peopled with entitled stars and prima dona producers. That is, until I spent two days for my star turn as the marrying/burying Rabbi on ABC's Body of Proof . There on location at the hotel, I witnessed one of the nicest and most welcoming workplace environments and approachable cast and crew ever. Let me step back. As I was elbow deep in preparations for the Jewish High Holy Days, my congregant Matthew Gross approached me about an

Saying "I'm Sorry" is not always easy. It can be uncomfortable or downright embarrassing. Still, we learn from the Talmud that on Yom Kippur, for the ways we have harmed others, the holy day does not atone until we make peace with that other person. Kindergarten students from Congregation Or Ami's Mishpacha Family Alternative program , led by Mishpacha Coordinators (HUC students) Sarah Lauing and Lisa Berney, made this video to begin the work of teshuva (repenting our mista