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Category Archives: R. Kalman Topp
Rabbi Kalman Topp’s Hero System
On a Shabbat morning the men walk to Beth Jacob along Olympic Boulevard, past the dealerships shuttered for the day, past the gated lawns of eight-figure houses. They wear dark suits in the heat. The eruv runs above them, a … Continue reading
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Platform, Pulpit, Archive: Three Models of MO Rabbinic Self-Presentation in Los Angeles
While surfing Rabbi Pini Dunner’s website, I learned: Mavericks, Mystics and False Messiahs NOW AVAILABLE! “A thoroughly engaging introduction to some of the most colorful episodes in Jewish history. A wonderfully enjoyable read.” – Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks “Rabbi Pini … Continue reading
Posted in Alliance Theory, Beth Jacob, Bnai David-Judea, Los Angeles, Modern Orthodox, R. Elazar Muskin, R. Jonathan Sacks, R. Kalman Topp, R. Meir Soloveichik, R. Pini Dunner, R. Yitzchak Etshalom, R. Yosef Kanefsky
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Decoding Rabbi Kalman Topp of Beth Jacob
ChatGPT says: Through Alliance Theory, Rabbi Kalman Topp is best understood as a status-stabilizing authority figure whose primary function is to keep Orthodox observance confident, calm, and non-reactive inside an elite social environment. His leadership style is defined by restraint. … Continue reading
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Statement from the Rabbinical Council of California on Doheny Meats
I am curious who believes the RCC here? Here is their statement: On Sunday March 24th, the RCC received video footage alleging kashrus violations at Doheny Kosher Meats, a store under its supervision. Within hours of receiving the information including … Continue reading
Posted in Kashrut, R. Elazar Muskin, R. Kalman Topp, R. Yosef Kanefsky, RCC
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Rabbi Topp’s drasha on divisiveness
I hear: The rabbi at Beth Jacob of Beverly Hills did very well. Skillfully navigated difficult terrain. Took the wind out of the sails of the pro-Chazzan group using Rabbinic license – Halacha and precedent. Pointed out that we are … Continue reading
Posted in Beth Jacob, R. Kalman Topp
Tagged Beth Jacob, divisiveness, drasha, halacha, shul
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Beth Jacob’s Former Rabbi Uri Pilichowski Posts On FB About Shooting
Rabbi Pilichowski posts a picture of himself shooting with the Facebook update: “Sometimes you need to blow off some steam…shooting is a lot like making kiddush…you always have to keep other people in mind…;)” I wonder who he has in … Continue reading
Posted in Beth Jacob, R. Kalman Topp, R. Uri Pilichowski
Tagged Beth Jacob, boca raton florida, director allen, Facebook, hacking email accounts, rabbi, resignation, s programming
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Rabbi Kalman Topp – Prodigy
Joe emails: By the age at which he spent time at Har Etzion, I am thinking he is about 37-38. He works the room like a rabbi in his 50s. I think that Orthodox shuls should give up with the … Continue reading
Posted in R. Kalman Topp
Tagged har etzion, mental health specialists, orthodox rabbi, orthodox shuls, pastoral questions, talmid chacham
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When The Rabbi’s Wife Is Not A Rebbetzin
I remember feeling taken aback about 13 years ago when the wife of a Modern Orthodox pulpit rabbi told me in no uncertain terms that she was not a rebbetzin. These days most Orthodox communities are seeking a “Rabbinic couple” … Continue reading
Posted in Beth Jacob, R. Kalman Topp, Rabbis
Tagged Beth Jacob, orthodox communities, rabbi, rebbetzin, uncertain terms
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Rabbi Kalmann Topp’s Quaint Vision For Beth Jacob — Torah!
The vision thing. It seems like Rabbi Topp at Beth Jacob has it. He teaches two serious Torah classes during the week and a serious parsha shiur on Shabbos morning. He seems to have a vision for Beth Jacob — … Continue reading
Posted in Beth Jacob, R. Kalman Topp
Tagged Beth Jacob, kalmann, orthodox shul, shiur, torah classes
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Pico-Robertson In The 1960s
It was populated with faux yeshivas to get Orthodox Jews out of the Vietnam draft. By 1980, there were only two Orthodox synagogues in the community — Young Israel of South Beverly Hills and Beth Jacob. There wasn’t a kosher … Continue reading
Posted in Beth Jacob, Bnai David-Judea, Hancock Park, Haredi, Harkham Hillel, Pico/Robertson, R. Kalman Topp, YICC
Tagged Abner Weiss, Beth Jacob, orthodox shul, orthodox synagogues, rabbi maurice lamm, vietnam draft, YICC, Young Israel
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