Category Archives: Conservative Judaism

My First Synagogue Home

I’d been to other synagogues, but Ohev Shalom in Orlando, Florida, was the first one I called home. I was a regular there during my eight months in town (from Aug. 1993 to March 1994). For most of that time, … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism, Rabbis, Synagogue | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on My First Synagogue Home

Jack Wertheimer Is Back

Rabbi Eytan Kobre writes for Cross-Currents: …JTS’s Jack Wertheimer is back on the attack against the non-Orthodox, this time with What Does Reform Judaism Stand For? in this month’s Commentary. Something must be done about that man, if only by … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Jack Wertheimer Is Back

Why Don’t Orthodox Shuls Ever Start Their Shuvuot Learning Before 11 PM?

Some of us need our beauty sleep. Conservative shuls know how to do Shuvuot right. They tend to start around 9 pm. Beth Am on La Cienega and Olympic Blvds has a dynamic program.

Posted in Beth Am, Conservative Judaism, Orthodoxy, Pico/Robertson | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Why Don’t Orthodox Shuls Ever Start Their Shuvuot Learning Before 11 PM?

I Plan, Sherre Laughs

So a couple of weeks ago, the publicist for Rabbi Sherre Hirsch’s first book, We Plan, God Laughs, invited me to email in questions for the rabbi. I did. Five days later, the publicist emails me to say that the … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism, R. Sherre Hirsch | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on I Plan, Sherre Laughs

Beth Am Losing Rembaum, Netter

Amy Klein writes: "Temple Beth Am, the flagship Conservative Synagogue, announced that its senior rabbi, Joel Rembaum, will retire in June 2010 after leading the synagogue for 25 years. Rabbi Perry Netter, who has been with the synagogue for 16 … Continue reading

Posted in Articles, Conservative Judaism | Comments Off on Beth Am Losing Rembaum, Netter

The Death Of Conservative Judaism

Here’s an excerpt from the March 29, 2004 sermon by Rabbi Denise Eger (Reform): The Panel’s bombshell moment came when Rabbi Paul Menitoff, head of the Reform Rabbis predicted the death of Conservative Judaism. You could hear the gasps in … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism | Comments Off on The Death Of Conservative Judaism

Sociologist Steven M. Cohen Visits Los Angeles

Dr. Cohen says he comes from a non-observant Orthodox home (their Sabbath ended around noon). Though somewhat observant of Jewish law, he is no longer Orthodox. But he was the scholar in residence at a local Orthodox shul this past … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism, Judaism, Los Angeles, Orthodoxy, Reform Judaism, Sociology, Steven M. Cohen | Comments Off on Sociologist Steven M. Cohen Visits Los Angeles

Jewish Theological Seminary Ordaining Gay Rabbis

Michael Medved writes in the USA Today: Arnold Eisen, chancellor-elect of The Jewish Theological Seminary, declared: "The decision to ordain gay and lesbian clergy at JTS is in keeping with the longstanding commitment of the Jewish tradition to pluralism. Pluralism … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism | Comments Off on Jewish Theological Seminary Ordaining Gay Rabbis

This Conservative Shul Is Dying

Ary blogs: As a member of my synagogue’s Ritual Committee, I heard the Vice President lament that several Conservative synagogues are in financial trouble. Apparently, our synagogue has a budget gap of $100,000. Attendance at our daily minyans are so … Continue reading

Posted in Conservative Judaism | Comments Off on This Conservative Shul Is Dying