Category Archives: Los Angeles

Back Story Behind The L.A. Eruv

Here’s the inside story that the Jewish Journal did not tell you. Initially Rabbi Bess (the leading authority on Jewish law in Los Angeles) was anti-eruv and rabbis in the Fairfax area did not want to get on his bad … Continue reading

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A Scene From Shul

"Is that the rabbi?" "Where’s his tie?" Rabbi: "There are some people beyond all hope. Beyond redemption. Beyond salvation. They’re incorrigible…" "Hey, how does he know my family so well?" "Where’s the air conditioning?" "That’s extra. We checked coffee instead."

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Feeding Drugs To Kids

I caught this in a Pico-Robertson shul bulletin on Shabbos: Last week, two men posing as DWP workers committed several robberies… We also received an alert from Jewish Family Service Aleinu Family Resource Center that a man who goes by … Continue reading

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What Made The University of Judaism Rabbinic Ordination Program So Excruciating?

Brad Artson could not have been more boring or longwinded. He spoke for about an hour. Much of his audience walked out to chat on their cell phones. I wonder if Brad Artson is a bit autistic. He seems to … Continue reading

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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

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